Gap year volunteering
Gap year volunteering placements
View latest placements with loads of different companies, search for placements available by
category and country. Advice on how to choose what type of volunteering placement would suit you best.
Why pay to volunteer?
Wondering why you need to pay to offer up your valuable help & free time? Get answers here...
Information about gap year volunteering
We put some frequently asked questions to several volunteering project companies - read their answers to
get more of an idea about what to expect from your voluntary placement.
Volunteering project case studies
Read interviews and case studies from previous volunteers to find out more about their experiences and help
you to decide what type of gap year volunteering will suit you best. Volunteering experiences include
teaching English, teaching sports, conservation, game ranger course, martial arts courses etc.
Choosing a responsible gap year company
It is your responsibility to ensure that the gap year company you choose to do your placement with
runs responsible and sustainable projects with long term benefits to the communities they are set up to help.
Find out the questions you should be asking before you commit to your volunteering project.
What should I do in my gap year?
Make sure you pick the right gap year activity. Find out what your options are and what is involved.
There are lots of different gap year activities you can do, such as sports, conservation, caring & medical work, teaching English as
a foreign language (TEFL). Most activities involve a fee, so find out about your saving money & fundraising options.
A few of your gap year options
Teaching & working with children
Volunteer work teaching in schools and with children. Teaching English, sports, working with orphans & HIV affected
children.
Outdoor sports courses
Outdoor sports, watersports, courses, outdoor activities, diving, safari school, game ranging.
Marine & land based conservation
Get involved in conservation research projects to help save endangered species.
Animal & nature conservation work, gathering ecological data, work in wildlife reserves. Opportunities for acquiring
PADI qualifications.
Caring & medical gap years
You don't need to be a qualified health professional to make a big difference to others by volunteering for a
community care project. This is great experience for pursuing a medical career. Opportunities are available in
many areas, including drug
rehabilitation, research projects, hospitals, HIV/AIDS related projects.
Teaching English - TEFL gap years
There are both voluntary and paid jobs in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). Most TEFL
jobs will require you to secure a TEFL qualification first.