Gap year organisations

Voluntary work

• Afreco Tours LtdWildlife and conservation volunteering in Africa. Work with elephants, horses, chimps, and big game. Safari guide, game ranger and photography courses. All placements protected by TOPP insurance.
• African Conservation ExperienceAfrican Conservation Experience arranges volunteer placements on game and nature reserves in Southern Africa.
• Amanzi TravelLeading UK specialist in volunteer experiences throughout Africa. Amazing opportunities - conserving endangered wildlife, working on community/ medical projects, teaching and sports coaching to disadvantaged children, plus incredible adventure activities. A family-run business, passionate about the projects offered with a service second-to-none.
• AzafadyVolunteer placements in the areas of wildlife conservation (including working with lemurs) and community development in impoverished communities. Azafady is a registered charity.
• Blue VenturesAn award-winning, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to coral reef conservation and sustainable development in Madagascar. Through marine expeditions, volunteers work with the field research team, in partnership with local communities.
• BUNACPaid work abroad and volunteer work abroad programmes for people looking for new opportunities.
• Camphill Communities UKBe a long-term or short-term volunteer in a community with children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities.
• Camps InternationalOrganises responsible volunteer trips to work with rural communities to improve the education facilities. Sustainable projects are running year round and key areas of work are teaching, bringing a clean water supply to schools and the refurbishment and construction of classrooms and desks.
• Challenges Worldwide (CWW)Use your professional skills and experience as a volunteer in international development opportunities. Volunteer opportunities exist for those in HR, IT, law, admin, finance, marketing, project management and more.
• Cross-Cultural SolutionsVolunteer side-by-side with local people and experience another culture like never before, for 1-12 weeks, with start dates year-round. Volunteering abroad with CCS is an inspiring and life-changing experience.
• EcoteerEcoteer brings together volunteers and small-scale projects which them. Noone can tell you more about a project than the people on the ground who run it. Ecoteer provides over 200 placements in conservation, ecotourism, teaching and community development - something for everyone!
• Gap Year for Grown-UpsCareer break and volunteer specialists in over 25 countries for the over 30's.
• Global Vision InternationalVolunteer placements in the areas of conservation and community development and career development facilities with in field internships.
• Global Volunteer Network (GVN)Volunteering projects in communities in need.
• Global Volunteer ProjectsWorthwhile work experience in medicine, journalism and business, and volunteer projects. Projects include medicine, dentistry, journalism, teaching English, and HIV awareness and counselling.
• GlobalteerAffordable volunteer placements with children and animals. Work with street children, or volunteer in a centre for rescued wild animals. Placements in an elephant sanctuary also available.
• Habitat for HumanityHabitat for Humanity's international volunteering programme, Global Village, sends individuals and groups on two-week trips to build a house, alongside a family in need of a safe, decent place to live.
• Hands around the WorldSending short-term volunteers to help in developing countries, making links and encouraging lasting friendships. Some in groups-building for a month, others skill-sharing for 3-6 months.
• IVS GB (International Voluntary Service)IVS works to promote peace through volunteering and to support the sustainable development of local and global communities. IVS offers some 800 short-term projects, and some long-term opportunities.
• Lead AdventuresOver 25 volunteer and learning opportunities in Ecuador, including internships, medicine, teaching and sports programmes, plus expeditions. Paid teaching placements available.
• MadventurerRuns development projects in the fields of construction, teaching, conservation and medicine.
• Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)MSF sends doctors, nurses, logistics specialists and engineers to work alongside local staff in developing countries to provide emergency medical aid. Administrators are also needed.
• Nexos VoluntariosOrganises volunteer placements in the areas of public health, business and development, education, human rights, and the environment.
• Outreach InternationalVolunteering projects with grass roots, local organisations. Become part of the community and learn the language. Projects include teaching English, sports, arts, computer studies, working with homeless or disabled children, conservation and development.
• Projects AbroadProjects Abroad offer a diverse range of volunteer projects, plus the opportunity to become part of a local community overseas.
• Quest Overseas and Quest UnderseasGroup or lone volunteer placements and expeditions on ethical and sustainable projects that support long-term development. Provides community and marine conservation projects for gap years, career breaks or research students - onward 'escapes' also available.
• RaleighBe a volunteer manager in project-and field-based roles to help run community, environment and adventure expeditions for young people aged 17-24 from all walks of life.
• RawplanetOrganises community development projects in Africa. Join this summer to build a school classroom block in Ghana.
• Real Gap A huge range of career break and gap year opportunities, including volunteer work, adventure travel and sports programmes.
• Sunrise InternationalThe specialist for China volunteer projects, offering two weeks to one year volunteer opportunities abroad in social, environment, education, medical, journalism and community areas in China. Offices are in Beijing and the UK to ensure a well-supported placement.
• The LeapA variety of volunteer placements combined with adventure travel, including safaris and sports programmes. From 2 weeks to 3 months.
• Travellers WorldwideFlexible volunteer placements, including teaching (English, sports, drama, and art), conservation work (orangutans, lions, elephants), and language courses.
• Trekforce WorldwideOrganises volunteer conservation and community development projects in remote locations, concentrating on real travel with a real purpose.
• Twin Work & VolunteerA wide range of volunteer and paid work opportunities, including teaching English, conservation, internships and community work.
• VivistoLifetime experiences for those in need of a career break, sabbatical or gap year. Experiences range from conservation work in Africa to adrenalin sports in New Zealand, plus career guidance, CV writing and a job search to help revitalise your career.
• Volunteer Action for PeaceAffordable placements for people of all ages willing to do voluntary work with local communities. From local development to conservation work, from art festivals to children's play schemes, all projects are organised locally in very close contact with the local populations.
• VSOPaid volunteer placements from two months to two years in the areas of business management, education and health.
• Way Out XperiencesWay Out Experiences (WOX) is a responsible travel company connecting everyday people with endangered animals. WOX focuses on protecting orangutans, turtles, coral reefs and pygmy elephants in Malaysia.

Teaching English

• EF English FirstTeach English abroad. Subsidised TEFL courses give you an internationally-recognised qualification, and a guaranteed job with an EF school abroad.

Paid work abroad

Travel and expeditions

• Acacia Adventure HolidaysRuns adventure travel holidays, including overland expeditions, small group safaris, volunteering experiences and diving courses throughout Africa.
• Earthwatch InstituteOrganises volunteer projects in the areas of wildlife conservation and environmental research looking at global climate change, habitat loss, threatened species, and biodiversity.
• Explore WorldwideSmall group adventure holidays, with minimal impact on the local community and surrounding area. Discover the beautiful Amalfi coast; journey into Bhutan or trek through African rainforest to see the Gorillas of Uganda. New volunteer projects available. Tours range from 4 to 29 days in length.
• Intrepid TravelIntrepid is a small group adventure travel company, offering over 300 trips in over 50 countries, specialising in 'off the beaten track' adventure.
• Jingando HolidaysFlexible career break programmes that show you a different side of Brazil, focusing on full immersion and involvement in local life and culture. Programmes include learning Brazilian dance, percussion, capoeira, Portuguese or surfing. You can also volunteer in local community projects.
• PepperOffers tailor-made career break and gap year experiences in South Africa. Travel in a group and choose a mixture of surfing, scuba diving, volunteering and community projects, wakeboarding, yachting, kite-surfing, and safari/game reserve programmes.
• Surviving AdventureA course to train the adventure traveller, outdoor enthusiast and Gap Year student to manage a medical emergency while off the beaten path or in a remote location.
• Trek America'Off the beaten track' adventure travel, including things like white-water rafting, horse riding and camping.
• Tucan TravelA variety of adventure tours and expeditions, including Budget Expeditions, Discovery Tours and Independent Travel. Over 300 tours are available and the wide range means there'll be something to suit your own travelling style.
• World ExpeditionsTrekking and adventure holidays. These include mountaineering, treks, rafting expeditions, cycling tours, sea-kayaking, canoeing, polar voyages, charity challenges, cultural adventures and community project travel.

Training, learning and studying

• Action ProfessionalsTrain to be a fitness instructor and get internationally-recognised sports qualifications. Other activities, such as kite-surfing and Spanish lessons also available.
• Alltracks AcademyRuns ski & snowboard instructor courses and improvement camps in Canada. The courses are an ideal way to spend a constructive career break at some of the world's top resorts. All courses include fantastic accommodation and training by expert instructors.
• Art History AbroadUnique courses abroad to study European culture, art, architecture and history.
• Base Camp GroupBecome a ski or snowboard instructor, take your surfing to the next level, or gain worldwide scubadiving certifications. Kitesurfing, surfing, windsurfing, paramotoring, skydiving and mountain biking courses also available.
• Boat Building Academy LtdBuild your own boat on your career break! The academy delivers intensive, highly practical training in boat building and carpentry certificated by City & Guilds. The courses are designed for school leavers (18+), more mature people taking a sabbatical/changing career, and people who want to work in carpentry or the marine industry.
• Gap Year DiverRecreational and professional scuba diving courses. Dive for fun or become an instructor in only 13 weeks! PADI-accedited.
• International AcademySki and snowboard instructor training courses that lead to recognised instructor qualifications and help getting work in Canada and Austria.
• Peak LeadersSki and snowboard instructor and improver courses from 4-12 weeks. You ge an internationally-recognised qualification, plus help finding a job.
• Ticket to Ride Career breaks and gap years combining surfing courses, adventure travel and community development work. Learn to surf, get internationally-recognised qualifications, travel through Africa and do volunteer work.

Adventure sports

• Flying FishFlying Fish trains and recruits over 600 people each year to work as yacht skippers and as watersports and snow sports instructors. All courses lead to professional qualifications. A year out with Flying Fish is a unique opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and work anywhere in the world.
• Plas Menai National Watersports CentreTrain in sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, powerboating and cruising and gain professional internationally-recognised instructor qualifications enabling you to gain work in the watersports industry both in the UK and abroad.