Although most career breakers go abroad to volunteer, it's possible to volunteer in the UK.
There are long-term, full-time volunteer opportunities that will help you develop both professional and personal skills.
People volunteer in the UK for a variety of reasons - some are unable or unwilling to travel abroad, and some simply prefer the idea of volunteering in their own country.
Some things to know:
- Unlike most volunteer abroad projects, UK volunteering will usually cover your expenses. Some also include pocket money or accommodation. If you're on a sabbatical, you'll need to check that this is OK with your employer (it usually is).
- Volunteering in the UK doesn't necessarily mean you'll stay at home. Some residential volunteering placements, as the name suggests, require you to live on-site.
- You may get a higher-level position than you're expecting, depending on your experience. Volunteers aren't just there to do the dogsbody jobs - they're needed in management and supervising roles too.
- UK volunteer jobs are usually pretty good about providing training, which is generally free. And it's a great way to get some qualifications!
- A major advantage of volunteering in the UK is there's no need to acclimatise because you already speak the language and know how everything works. It means you can get on with learning about the project and getting stuck into your new role.