The United Kingdom is an amazingly diverse country. While it may be the centre of the English-speaking world, it welcomes new cultures, customs, and languages everyday. Ancient castles and cathedrals meet modern cities and towns in one of our most popular volunteering destinations.
Roles Available
There is a range of exciting roles you can choose from in the UK. You could be making a difference in the lives of students, camp-goers, programme participants and residents with the rest of Europe at your doorstep!
Community Volunteer
Residential placements may be in respite centres for people with disabilities, residential homes or residences for the homeless. Most placements have adult residents. Volunteers may be expected to provide companionship, help with outings and various activities. All necessary training will be provided. Volunteers in the UK always find these placements to be particularly meaningful and rewarding.
School Assistant
You could be based in a city centre, a country town or a boarding school with extensive grounds in the countryside. Working in a boarding school is not a 9 – 5 job and you may sometimes have to work in the early morning or in the evening. Your duties may include getting boarders up, supervising going to bed, helping with after school activities, laundry, homework and weekend excursions. Other duties could involve helping in the school office as well as supporting pupils in the classroom.
Summer Camps
You will assist or lead children of all ages in group activities such as archery, abseiling, canoeing and orienteering. You can also gain qualifications in these activities. In the evening you might run sessions playing games, singing songs etc. You may also be asked to help with catering or maintenance.
FAQ
Arrival and Orientation
If applying from overseas you will be met at London Heathrow airport by staff. If your orientation is available in-person, you will be taken to our orientation location in central London. Once you arrive, you will spend the rest of the day acclimatising and getting over any jet-lag! Day 2 of in-person orientation is full of workshops and sessions designed to prepare you for your placement in the UK, as well as to help you get to know staff and fellow volunteers. We will also take you on a walking tour of London’s most famous sights! On day 3, if your orientation is in-person, volunteers will all depart to their placements around the country.
Accommodation, food and allowance
Accommodation and food (or a food allowance) is provided by all UK placements. In some cases, especially with the outdoor education and community placements, there may be a small community of volunteers—so you’ll get to meet people from other countries and get an extra dose of culture. Accommodation varies from placement to placement but usually it will be on-site at a school/ activity centre or in a shared house or flat.
Food arrangements will also vary considerably between placements ranging from self-catering to meals with students or residents. All UK placements provide a volunteer allowance to reimburse towards the costs incurred in taking up a placement. Most volunteers use some of their allowance to travel in their free time.
Free time & travel
Although your volunteering placement is the main reason for your stay in the UK, we encourage you to make the most of your free time by travelling and exploring the UK and the rest of Europe. With the efficient and accessible public transport system in the UK, you are able to discover towns and cities such as Edinburgh, Oxford, Manchester and Brighton in a weekend with ease. For longer holidays outside of the UK (to be agreed with by your placement host) the favourite destinations of international volunteers include: Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Prague, Budapest, Berlin and Venice!