Holiday Volunteering
If you are interested in doing some volunteering either in your holiday or after graduation then there is a huge range of opportunities. You can volunteer abroad, or in the UK, for a year or for a couple of weeks.
The following information contains details about just some of the organisations that are out there. They are a good starting point and while you might decide to get involved with one of them you might find links to another organisation. If you do discover another organisation which isn't on this list then let us know as we are always keen to add to the resources that we have.
For a useful guide on tips and advice when researching volunteer placements abroad click here
The Careers Advisory Service provides information and advice on volunteering and gap year opportunties - please see the Earlybird pages.
Please note that the following list of organisations are for reference only and that you will need to do research into each organisation to find out what exactly your fees will pay for, what help and advise they will provide you with and what the time commitment is both before and during the project.
Volunteering Placements Abroad
If you are looking to go abroad for your volunteering then the possibilities are endless. You can teach, do conservation work, work on a building project, learn a new language or do cultural exchanges. Some organisations tailor their opportunities to people taking year out but others offer opportunities to people who do not have that amount of time.
www.bunac.org.uk
BUNAC will help you if you want to go on a working holiday.
www.campamerica.co.uk
One of the most well known organisations. You would be required to help out around the camp working with the children. The support package that you are offered is very comprehensive. Great for fitting in with your university holiday.
http://www.concordia-iye.org.uk
Concordia organise short-term community projects spanning from 2-3 weeks. The opportunities range from working with the environment, renovation projects, archaeology and study breaks.
http://www.coralcay.org/
If you are interested in ecology then this could be a great opportunity for you. They need people to help with gathering data to help protect threatened marine and forest environments. All the training that you need will be given on site.
http://www.ciee.org.uk
This is a chance to go on a professional internship in the US offering invaluable work experience. Alternatively they will help you with a working holiday in America or Australia if you want to do something more chilled out!
www.eiluk.org
EIL allow you to experience international living. You can go to Brazil, Chile or China to name a few and get work experience in teaching, environment, catering or social work.
www.gapyear.com
If you are planning to take a year out after graduation then this website is an excellent resource. It has loads of information about the different types of gap years available, what you can do in which countries and there are even email logs from people currently on their gap years to help you get a better insight.
www.ivs-gb.org.uk
An organisation which can help you with short-term as well as long-term projects. They have plenty of opportunities in many different countries. Projects which you can help out with are anti racism schemes, arts and cultural projects and environmental work.
www.ivcs.org.uk
Indian Volunteers for Community Service aims to help you discover rural India while learning about sustainable farming methods. You spend three weeks learning in a rural polytechnic and then visit the various schemes which are being run in the area.
www.jet-uk.org
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme allows you to be a language assistant in a secondary school in Japan. The placement lasts for a year and can be extended.
www.raleigh.org.uk
Raleigh organise three month placements abroad where you can work on sustainable projects. They also organise short challenges in the Brecon Beacons and Scottish Highlands.
www.teaching-abroad.co.uk
Will help you get teaching projects in various countries but will also help you get involved with other schemes such as conservation, language and cultural courses.
www.travellingvolunteer.com
Travellingbug combines the excitement of travel, the learning from other cultures, and the ability for you to change lives by bringing individuals out of poverty.
www.unaexchange.org
A database of loads of voluntary projects all over the world. A really good starting point.
www.vso.org.uk
Voluntary Service Overseas organise many different international development projects. They are mainly long-term.
www.volunteerlatinamerica.com
This organisation advertises many environmental organisations throughout Latin America. Examples include sea turtle conservation and cultural exchange programmes.
www.yearoutgroup.org
Another database which lists loads of organisations that can help you if you are taking a year out.
Volunteer Placements in the UK
Placements in the UK may not be as exotic as those abroad but if you are strapped for cash they are a great way to have a cheap holiday, meet new people and learn new skills.
http://www.childrensholidays-cchf.org/
Children's Country Holidays organise week long residential summer activity holidays for London children aged 8-12 years who have no other chance of a holiday.
http://www.cathederalcamps.org.uk
If you are interested in architecture and historic buildings then why not spend a week working on a preservation project at one of the UK's best known buildings.
www.wrg.org.uk
The Waterway Recovery Group organises conservation projects ranging from a weekend to a week. By getting involved with them you can spend time restoring part of the UK's canal network.
www.nationaltrust.org
The National Trust offer a wide range of working holidays in the UK. You can get involved with working on dry stone walling projects, being a warden at a festival or clearing pathways - all in the setting of stunning scenery or a National Trust property.
www.btcv.org.uk
Conservation holidays in the UK. A wide range of tasks on offer and a great chance to gain new skills - BTCV also organise conservation holidays in other countries.