Gor for voluntarering?

Volunteering overseas

No matter how much time you have to spare (from a few weeks to a year), there are a huge number of exciting volunteering opportunities available around the world offering you the chance to have the experience of a lifetime.

Volunteering projects vary in length from short term placements (2-8 weeks) to longer term projects requiring a commitment of a year or more. 'Professional' skills like engineering, teaching and healthcare are most in demand. Without such skills you are likely to have to pay for the costs of your volunteering, including travel and accommodation.

The organisations which are listed have not been endorsed by the Volunteer Centre Network in Wirral and so it's really important to do as much research as possible before committing to anything.

For more information please check out our

Downloads Section for a range of factsheets

AFS Intercultural Education Programmes
Working on locally run community projects for 6 months in Latin America for people aged 18-29.

Atlantic Whale Foundation
Marine research opportunities for up to 8 weeks

AZAFADY
Community based conservation and development in Madagascar. 10 week general volunteering programme called Pioneer for volunteers 18+

Biosphere Expeditions
Hands-on conservation expeditions, no special skills or fitness required. Projects work with local scientists and last between 2 weeks to several months.

BSES Expeditions
Provides opportunities for young people aged 16-20 of all abilities to take part in adventurous activities and research projects in wilderness areas throughout the world. Projects range from glaciology, geology, ecology, botany and conservation with the aim of helping young people learn new skills and develop important leadership qualities. Expeditions vary in length from 4-6 weeks during the summer holidays and 6-12 weeks as part our longer gap year programme.

BTCV International Conservation Holidays
Provide working holidays on conservation and environmental projects in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

BUNAC
Placements for recent graduates in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Jamaica for 3 months to 1 year.

Challenges Worldwide
Educational charity offering placements of 3 months or more for volunteers in Antigua, Bangladesh, Belize, Dominica, Ecuador and Tasmania. Projects are suitable for anyone from students to experienced professionals - each is tailored to the individual's unique skills and knowledge - and broadly cover human development, poverty alleviation and/or environmental conservation.

Concordia
Places volunteers, normally 17-30, on International Voluntary Work camps in a range of European countries, North Africa, Japan and the USA. Projects include archaeological digs, arts, building and conservation. Camps last 2-3 weeks from June to September.

Coral Cay Conservation
Marine and rainforest projects in Fiji, Central America and South East Asia, where volunteers are involved in conducting surveys and gathering data in order to increase understanding of the ecology. Expeditions are of a 'Trekking' nature.

Cross Cultural Solutions
American organisation offering 2-12 week volunteer programmes in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. Start dates throughout the year.

Cultural Cube Global opportunities for young people.

Earthwatch Institute Volunteer placements on environmental, conservation, archaeology and cultural scientific field research overseas.

GAP Activity Projects Teaching, conservation and medical projects for school leavers in over 30 countries.

Gapyear.com Useful background information for anyone considering taking a year out.

Global Action Nepal Six month programmes in Nepal working with children, schools and community development.

Greenforce Volunteers help on environmental projects around the world for a minimum of 3 months.

ICA-UK 1 year placements with local development organisations worldwide - no formal skills or qualifications required.

Inter-cultural Youth Exchange (IYCE-UK) Placements in 25 countries worldwide for anyone aged 18-30. Projects include drug rehabilitation programmes, working with street children, human rights projects and HIV programmes.

	i-to-i Projects in 23 countries worldwide.

	Project Trust Opportunities 17-19 year olds to work abroad for a year. Social work, teaching English, outdoor activities and community development projects in 24 different countries.

	Raleigh International 3 month expeditions for young people aged 17-25 working on sustainable environmental, community, and adventure projects.

	Student Partnership Worldwide Join African and Asian volunteers on Health Education and Environmental Awareness programmes in rural schools in Africa and Asia.

	Teaching and Projects Abroad Teaching but also conservation, medical, archaeological and business and journalism projects.

Trekforce Expeditions 8 week conservation and teaching expeditions in the rainforests of Central America and East Malaysia.

Una Exchange Range of over 1000 projects from 2-3 weeks around the world which include renovating historical monuments and archaeological work. Also opportunities for medium term placements of 1-12 months.

VESL Summer Placements A non profit making charity that sends volunteers to run summer teaching placements in rural Sri Lanka.

VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) As well as their main projects, VSO run a number of programmes specifically for people aged 25 and under.

World Challenge Expeditions
Including a gap year section, offering voluntary and paid work placements with time for travelling.

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) For volunteers aged 16+. Bed, board and practical experience are given in return for work on organic farms and small-holdings.

YAP (Youth Action for Peace) Projects last up to 1 month and volunteers work under supervision on groups projects.

Youth Action Net Connecting young people to create change.

Address: 46 Hamilton Square Birkenhead Wirral, CH41 5AR | Email: wirralcvs@vda2.freeserve.co.uk | Tel & Fax: 0151 647 5432