Volunteer opportunity

There are thousands of volunteer opportunities across the world, and choosing one can be quite difficult. That's where we can help.

Start with the practicalities:

• How long have I got? Volunteer opportunities start from 1 week and can last 2 years.
• How much can I spend on it? Volunteer projects can cost from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds. The longest ones will cover your expenses and pay a small wage. Think about what clothes and travel gear you'll need too.
• When can I go? Most volunteer projects operate year-round, but if you want to work in say, a school, you'll need to consider local term times.
• Who else is coming? Some volunteer opportunities will let you volunteer with your partner or a friend. Some can even accommodate your children.

• Related link
• Get a printable sheet to help you choose your volunteer opportunity. (opens in a new window)

Next, think about what you want out of your volunteer opportunity.

• Do I want to do other activities on my volunteer project? Many companies offer social, cultural and outdoor activities with the volunteering, or classes in dance, language or cookery.
• Do I want to travel before and/or after volunteering? Your volunteer organisation might offer tours, or you can incorporate a volunteer project into a big trip.
• Where do I want to go? Most volunteer opportunities are in developing countries. If you can't decide where to go, why not do more than one volunteer project?

• Related link
• List of gap year organisations offering volunteer opportunities (opens in a new window)

Now we come to the volunteer opportunity itself. Who do you want to help? What bit of the world do you want to change? Your volunteer opportunity could be:

• Working with animals on a game reserve or in a sanctuary
• Teaching children or caring for them in a school or orphanage
• Training people in business skills
• Protecting the environment through teaching, monitoring or research
• Helping a community project with fundraising, awareness or planning
• Doing essential building and development work

Finally, what exactly do you want to get out of your volunteer opportunity? You might want to:

• Develop professional skills. You could improve your language, teamwork or communication skills, and these can go on your CV.
• Develop specific skills to improve your career. For example, if you want a promotion, you might choose a volunteer opportunity which will develop your leadership skills.
• Develop personal skills. Perhaps you're shy and would like to develop confidence, or you might find that volunteering abroad would help with your social skills.
• Feel good. That's what volunteering is about, after all!

Now you're ready to start planning your volunteer opportunity.

• See a list of volunteer companies offering voluntary work abroad
• Order information from volunteer companies

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• In this section
• Volunteer abroad homepage
• Countries that need volunteers
• Paying to volunteer overseas
• Ethical voluntary work abroad
• Volunteer holidays
• Volunteer in the UK