Choosing the right volunteering project

Do you need some help with choosing the right volunteering placement for you?
There are a lot of different things you should think about before you choose a volunteering project that you want to join. If you give some careful thought to the type of project you should choose at this stage, you are more likely to enjoy your experience and get the full benefits that it can offer.

First of all, you need to make some basic decisions

How long can you go for?
You will find volunteering placements that last for anything from 1 week to 2 years. The amount of time you can commit to a project will affect your options and it could limit your choice to the more commercial projects if you only want to attend short term.

How much money can you afford to spend?
Volunteer projects can cost anything from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds (although this will often include flights). Plus you will need to spend money on top of this for your travel gear, and possibly travel insurance (if it’s not included), as well as spending money while you’re out there – especially if you want to travel around after your placement is finished.

When can you go?
Your start date may affect what project options you have. For example, countries that have monsoon seasons would be best avoided at certain times of the year. Also, if you were wanting to work in a school you will have to work around local term times.

Will you volunteer alone, or with a friend?
Some companies will offer the opportunity to travel with a companion or partner, but this could limit your options.

Now you need to think about what you expect to get out of your volunteering project

Where do you want to go?
Most volunteering programmes are run in developing countries. You will need to do some research into destinations and decide where you want to go. The type of project you choose & your attitude towards it will probably have as much impact on your experience as the country you choose to visit. It would be good to find out how welcoming local people would be in the area. If the project has been operating for a while and has delivered good benefits to the community this could make future volunteers very welcome. Or maybe you would rather face the challenge of the unknown in a difficult area? If you don’t want to limit to just one country, you could always choose to participate in more than one project. Consider language barriers – if you never could master Spanish this could hold you up, or of course it could be your chance to get it cracked once and for all.

What activities do you want to do on your volunteering placement?
Think about any extra-curricular activities you may want to experience. Many companies offer the opportunity to learn a language, or local dancing or cooking. Ask about any social, cultural or outdoor activities you could participate in while you are away.

Do you want to travel as well?
Do you need to keep money aside for travelling before or after your trip. What is the local area/country you have chosen like for travelling – does it have things that interest you. Or can you fly directly off to a country for travelling? What are transport links like? – this could save you money.

About the volunteering project

Consider who you want to help – humans, animals, the planet? How would you like to help them – hands on physical work, educational work or caring & medical work? Here are some project types that you should consider.

• Working with animals – wild animals, game reserves, sanctuary, zoo, laboratory
• Working with children – teaching, medical, caring in a school, hospital or orphanage
• Working with people – teaching, training, educating about health issues
• Protecting the environment – through research projects, monitoring or teaching communities
• Community development – medical work, building work, fundraising

What skills or personal development do you hope to gain from volunteering?

Could you use this project to gain skills that would improve your CV? This doesn’t have to be just a cool adventure for your gap year, or something to tell your friends about. You could actually improve your chances of getting a job at the end of this!

• Developing professional skills – such as language, teamwork or communication skills
• Develop specific skills for your career – such as gaining medical experience, teaching in a classroom or teaching sports.
• Develop personal skills – improve your confidence and social skills by meeting & working with lots of new people. Making new friends and having a laugh will be very good for you if you are shy. Teaching in front of a class of students will improve your presentation skills.