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How can I volunteer overseas?
There are over 100 British organisations specialising in arranging overseas volunteering offering a choice of either a particular country or type of work. Not all projects are well organised, so find out as much as you can beforehand by asking question.
Worldwide Volunteering offers a unique search and match database with over 1.1 million opportunities in the UK and 214 countries worldwide.
VSO offers global volunteering programmes for young people and Volunteering England lists contact details for dozens of organisations offering placements abroad. [links will open in a new window]
There are over 100 British organisations specialising in arranging overseas volunteering offering a choice of either a particular country or type of work. Not all projects are well organised, so find out as much as you can beforehand by asking question.
Worldwide Volunteering offers a unique search and match database with over 1.1 million opportunities in the UK and 214 countries worldwide.
VSO offers global volunteering programmes for young people and Volunteering England lists contact details for dozens of organisations offering placements abroad. [links will open in a new window]
I would like to volunteer abroad for about a year. I am having trouble finding an organization to go through. I also would like to find one where you don’t have to pay to volunteer. What should I do?
When searching for opportunities on WWV, you're asked how much you have to spend, and one of the options is £0!
VSO's Global Xchange programme doesn't charge you for the experience - instead, you're asked to fundraise £600 towards the trip, and they'll give you help and support in doing this.
Have you considered volunteering in Europe? We have access to a database and information about lots of hosting organisations across Europe. European Voluntary Service (EVS) might be worth considering as you can volunteer in Europe for a year and don't have to pay.
When searching for opportunities on WWV, you're asked how much you have to spend, and one of the options is £0!
VSO's Global Xchange programme doesn't charge you for the experience - instead, you're asked to fundraise £600 towards the trip, and they'll give you help and support in doing this.
Have you considered volunteering in Europe? We have access to a database and information about lots of hosting organisations across Europe. European Voluntary Service (EVS) might be worth considering as you can volunteer in Europe for a year and don't have to pay.
If I want to do volunteer work with children will I need to have a Criminal Record check?
Yes. Everyone working with children should be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
CRB checks can take a matter of weeks, so it's best to take this into account when considering this kind of volunteering.
Yes. Everyone working with children should be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
CRB checks can take a matter of weeks, so it's best to take this into account when considering this kind of volunteering.
I need to travel to attend my volunteer project. Will I receive travel and other expenses? How do I apply for this?
Yes – travel and lunch expenses should be available to all volunteers. You may have to pay for this up front, but you should be reimbursed if you can show that you spent a reasonable amount and you have receipts. Check with your opportunity provider to find out how - and how much - you can claim.
If you think you might have difficulty paying for things out of your own pocket, most organisations will be flexible and cover these costs up front.
Most residential voluntary work offers board, lodging and some form of pocket money. This work can be for a week or two or a whole year.
Yes – travel and lunch expenses should be available to all volunteers. You may have to pay for this up front, but you should be reimbursed if you can show that you spent a reasonable amount and you have receipts. Check with your opportunity provider to find out how - and how much - you can claim.
If you think you might have difficulty paying for things out of your own pocket, most organisations will be flexible and cover these costs up front.
Most residential voluntary work offers board, lodging and some form of pocket money. This work can be for a week or two or a whole year.
Can I claim benefits while volunteering?
Yes, you can. The benefits regulations are clear that you can volunteer.
For detailed and up-to-date information on volunteering whilst you are claiming welfare benefits read Volunteering England's advice about volunteering and state benefits. The Dept of Works and Pensions has a good search facility. [Links will open in a new window]
Yes, you can. The benefits regulations are clear that you can volunteer.
For detailed and up-to-date information on volunteering whilst you are claiming welfare benefits read Volunteering England's advice about volunteering and state benefits. The Dept of Works and Pensions has a good search facility. [Links will open in a new window]
