Volunteer Work
Gap Year work and opportunities can be well paid, can provide a basic salary, or can be completely voluntary. If you are opting for volunteer work you will not get paid but voluntary work, often in the form of helping others, can often be the most rewarding type of Gap Year, with the experience remaining with you for the rest of your life.
Volunteer work is available in all corners of the world. We list a wide variety of different types of volunteer work, including community development, teaching, ecological conservation, marine management, sports coaching, research, working with children, working with animals, and much more.
Often the voluntary work you will undertake will have a huge benefit to the local environment or community. But there are also plenty of benefits for you:
- You will get the opportunity to meet new people, often from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Working with a diverse group of people will help develop your team work skills and give you new knowledge.
- You will also develop excellent time management skills as most volunteer projects are not as strictly controlled as “nine until five” paid work. Though thorough training and support is usually available.
- You will be able to build your personal skills. Working with and talking to your fellow volunteers will aid your communication skills and your overall confidence will receive a boost.
Finally, don’t forget to update your CV after you return from your volunteer work. Volunteer experience can look great next to your formal qualifications and is often viewed favourably by employers.
Popular Volunteer Gap Year:
African Big 5 Wildlife Photography and Conservation Education project Employer: African Impact This project offers exciting exposure to the African bush with wildlife photography & conservation components. Living in the heart of a reserve you’ll work with Africa’s big 5 in their natural habitat. A great opportunity for photographers just starting out or those who wish to build up their portfolio | Incredible Volunteering in India Employer: Volunteering Solutions We have volunteer work programs in India which include; working with orphans at an orphanage,with kids at day care centers, women empowerment programs, HIV/Health programs, helping and supporting street children and teaching English. |
Ghana Employer: Projects Abroad Volunteers in Ghana work on a wide range of projects including Teaching, Care, Community including Building and IT Projects, Medical & Healthcare Projects – including Medicine, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Midwifery and Dentistry, plus Journalism, Veterinary Medicine, Sports, and Human Rights | Affordable Gap Year Volunteering Placements Employer: International Volunteer HQ Want to make the most of your gap year but not spend a fortune? International Volunteer HQ is the world's most affordable volunteer organization, hosting thousands of gap year students as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Every year over 5000 volunteers travel abroad with us- join the team |
Medical Projects Employer: Global Medical Projects Are you looking to gain useful and practical medical experience in hospitals and clinics around the world? Placements available for pre-university and medical students in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We also arrange placements for those interested in dental, nursing and physiotherapy experience | Get Work Experience Abroad on Volunteering Placements Employer: Kaya Responsible Travel Join one of 180 Kaya Projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America to help improve lives and environments in the world’s developing nations, whilst developing your CV |
Conservation volunteer Employer: i-to-i Whether you’re an eco-warrior or an animal fanatic there are countless opportunities to do your bit for wildlife and the environment. Care for lion cubs in South Africa, conserve a tropical Thai island or work in rainforests in Ecuador, it’s time to dig out your adventure hat and get going! | Coach and Play a variety of Sports in Clubs, Schools, Community Centres and Grassroots Organisations Employer: Travellers Worldwide Whether you’re a professional or just love sport we have a project for you! Sports include Football, Rugby, Cricket, Polo, Badminton, Baseball, Hockey, Swimming, Gymnastics, Tennis, Athletics, Surfing, Capoeira and more! No experience required other than a desire to use Sport to help others! |
IndiaEmployer: Projects Abroad Volunteering in India will immerse you in a land of beauty, spirituality and adventure. Projects are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world; whether you are on a gap year, a summer placement, or a career break | Volunteer on over 150 Overseas ProjectsEmployer: Kaya Responsible Travel Join one of 180 Kaya Projects across Asia, Africa and Latin America to help improve lives and environments in the world’s developing nations |
Short Term Volunteer PlacementsEmployer: International Volunteer HQ Looking to travel and work in a variety of countries? IVHQ's low cost and short term volunteer placements are designed with the gap year traveller in mind. Travel to a variety of countries and work for as short as one week or as long as six months! | Affordable Teaching Placements Employer: Love Volunteers Looking to share your knowledge and gain experience while traveling abroad and learning a new culture? Come join Love Volunteers! With affordable rates and placements in over 25 countries there is a project out there waiting for your assistance |
Affordable Teaching Volunteer Work in Africa Employer: Agape Volunteers Teaching placements from £190. Gain valuable teaching experience or enhance a CV or UCAS application by teaching your own class English, maths, science or sports. Volunteer for as long as you want, starting whenever you want and get the chance to experience frontline aid work with a UK charity. | Volunteer in India Employer: Vibrant Volunteering Vibrant Volunteering offers individuals a fantastic opportunity to work in social development projects throughout India. Your choice of project is dependent upon your passions and goals and the desire to make a difference, in one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world |
Volunteer Community Projects Employer: Madventurer Spend your GAP year or career break with Madventurer and become part of something special! Based out of Newcastle University Students Union, Madventurer run Award Winning Projects, exciting Charity Treks and Overland Adventures that span the world, all lasting from 2 weeks to 6 months. Volunteers work as part | Affordable Volunteer Programs in India starting £175 Employer: Volunteering India Volunteering India provides safe, affordable and meaningful volunteer programs in India. We offer a variety of exciting volunteer programs, cultural exchange programs, internships, & gap year programs, as well as short term, family and group volunteering projects starting from just £175 |
Affordable African Volunteering PlacementsEmployer: International Volunteer HQ International Volunteer HQ offers a wide variety of very affordable volunteer placements throughout Africa. Over 5000 volunteers travel with IVHQ on their volunteer programs annually working in a variety of placements such as orphanage work, teaching, surfing, construction and medical placements. | Wildlife and Environmental Conservation ProjectsEmployer: Love Volunteers Join Love Volunteers and our partner organizations in working to save our fragile planet. Gain hands on experience in sustainable agriculture, jungle conservation, or protecting our many endangered species from turtles in Costa Rica to the Big 5 in South Africa. Join us and make a difference today |
Global Volunteering Employer: Lattitude Global Volunteering Lattitude Global volunteering is an international youth development charity specialising in long term, adventurous and rewarding placements. Opportunities available include; teaching, conservation (environment and wildlife), medical, community work and caring as well as outdoor education. | Affordable Medical Placements in AfricaEmployer: Agape Volunteers Medical volunteering from £190. Gain valuable experience towards your degree in a clinic or hospital. Responsibilities are rounds, prescribing medicines, diagnosis, dressing wounds and assisting births. Flexible programs from 1 week to a year mean you can make the most of your skills and your time. |
Volunteer Abroad Starting £140Employer: Volunteering Solutions Volunteering Solutions provides reliable, safe and affordable International Volunteer Abroad Programs in 19 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin/South America to serve the local and needy communities. Our mission is to provide meaningful and fully researched volunteer and internship programs. | Affordable and Rewarding Medical Placements WorldwideEmployer: Love Volunteers Gain incomparable medical experience and knowledge with Love Volunteers and our partner organizations. Shadow local doctors and nurses, assisting them and learning by observing their work at clinics and hospitals with hands on work dictated by experience. All levels of experience are welcome |
Affordable Childcare Volunteering PlacementsEmployer: International Volunteer HQ IVHQ offers affordable childcare programs throughout the world. We offer childcare projects in 18 countries world wide, and with program fees starting at incredibly low rates, you won't find a more affordable, high quality organization. Over 5000 volunteers annually can't be wrong! | Safe and Affordable Childcare Placements Around the Globe!Employer: Love Volunteers Join Love Volunteers and take part in an amazing childcare placement. We provide some of the most affordable placements while maintaining high levels of satisfaction/safety. From a week helping a local community as you travel to putting your gap year to good use, Love Volunteers has a program for you |
Hands-On Conservation, Wildlife Rehabilitation & Animal Research ProjectsEmployer: Travellers Worldwide Amazing work with Lions, Pandas, Elephants, Orang Utans, Dolphins, Sharks and many other species, in Rehabilitation Centres, Game Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries as well as the Amazon Rainforest. Make your mark on endangered species and help preserve our planet and the environment | Over 30's Pre School And Community Development ProjectEmployer: African Impact This project is exclusively for anyone over 30. Volunteers live in the heart of a Big 5 Game Reserve & work with children & young adults in need of support, many of whom are affected by HIV/AIDS. Most have little or no resources for play or education & volunteers play a huge part in this assistance |
Medical, Orphanage And Hospital VolunteeringEmployer: African Impact Make a difference! Kenya's health care and provision suffers as much as any other public service sector in the country. Whilst structures are in place for an effective heath service, there is an enormous deficit in terms of staff and resources. Which is why the volunteers' help is very much needed | Affordable Volunteering in AfricaEmployer: Agape Volunteers Volunteer in Africa from £190. Choose from different programs in four African regions. Teach in a school, care for orphans, coach sport, combat AIDS or volunteer as a medical student. Volunteer for as long as you want, starting when you want and experience front-line aid work with a UK charity. |
Volunteer in Zanzibar Employer: Zanzigap Ever fancied visiting 2 facinating islands in Africa,steeped in history,culture and tradition. Do not let the fact that you have had no experience of teaching put you off!
Being a part of a community so different from anything hitherto experienced is daunting, don’t panic! You are in safe hands here | Conservation and Community Projects Employer: Worldwide Experience A once in a life time opportunity to get involved with our hands on projects around the globe. Get close up to wildlife, become a Game Ranger, help support those less fortunate than you, coach football or join in on our Wildlife Filmmaking project. Conserve, Develop, Teach… Make a Difference! |
Teach overseas Employer: Inspired Breaks A fantastic opportunity to work on your classroom skills or put your knowledge to the best use; you can fully immerse yourself in the local culture and help to make a huge difference to the lives of underprivileged youngsters, giving them the tools they need to build a better future for themselves. | Sport – Polo in Argentina, Horse Safari in South Africa. Employer: The Leap The Leap offers 2 unique equine experiences...
Live on a private estancia and learn to play polo in Argentina
or
Horse safari across the African bush in search of game whilst helping with local conservation and community projects.
Both experiences are team based, for 10 or 6 weeks. |
Building volunteerEmployer: i-to-i Play a hands-on role in the reconstruction of entire communities! Roll those sleeves up and get involved with building schools and homes that will change the lives of impoverished families. From Costa Rica to Nepal, you’ll get an insight into local culture living and working within the community. | Volunteering Employer: Real Gap Fancy helping with teaching work in Malawi, rehabilitating monkeys in South Africa or caring for disabled children in Vietnam? You can make a real difference to hundreds of projects around the world, whether you want to save the planet, protect a species or impoverished youngsters a better future. |
Teach abroadEmployer: Real Gap Unleash your inner classroom genius and put your skills to good use teaching English overseas. Our voluntary and paid work options give you the opportunity to gain useful experience as a teacher, change the lives of entire communities and work in some of the most beautiful places on the planet! | Affordable Volunteering Gap-Years in AfricaEmployer: Agape Volunteers Volunteer in Africa from £190. Explore an exciting new country, volunteer in projects including schools and hospitals whilst making the most of your stay. Take a safari, white water raft the Nile, quad-bike the Sahara and go ape-trekking in Uganda. Stay as long as you want, starting when you want. |
Budget Volunteering 2012 - Teaching And Community ProjectEmployer: African Impact Against the backdrop of the incredible Victoria Falls, Volunteers have amazing exposure to assisting rural schools with both teaching and building/refurbishment, adult literacy classes and even home based care in the villages. This is a high quality and affordable volunteer programme | Community DevelopmentEmployer: i-to-i Fancy teaching youngsters how to surf on the beaches of South Africa, caring for young children in Mombasa or unleashing your theatrical side in India? You can set off on the ultimate cultural exchange and take in some of the world’s most amazing sights whilst working closely with local people. |
Affordable Short-term Volunteering in AfricaEmployer: Agape Volunteers Volunteer in Africa from £190. Volunteer for as long as you want, when you want, from 1 week to a year. Fit a short placement into a vacation or break. Teach in a school, care for orphans, coach sport, help combat AIDS or volunteer as a medical student and gain experience to help your degree | Teaching and Childcare Employer: Oyster worldwide Volunteer with Oyster and put beaming smiles on the faces of vulnerable children. Care for troubled youngsters in vibrant Brazil; teach while learning Spanish in Chile; trek and teach in Nepal; bring love to Romania’s orphans; coach sport in the heart of Africa… and more!
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Wildlife volunteerEmployer: i-to-i Get up-close to amazing creatures in an array of exotic locations! Whether you want to help save pandas from extinction in China, hang out with orang-utans in Malaysia or take a dip with sea turtles in Costa Rica, you can take your pick of our wildlife projects across the globe! | Animal WelfareEmployer: Oyster worldwide Passionate about animals? Volunteer hands on with your favourite animals – provide a haven to abused bears in Romania; save turtles in Costa Rica or monkeys, lions, sharks or elephants in South Africa. Help out some of the most endangered creatures on earth and take back everlasting memories. |
Working with ChildrenEmployer: i-to-i Working with, caring for and teaching children around the world will not only give you the chance to develop some handy new skills you’ll also give impoverished youngsters a better standard of life and a brighter future. All you need is energy, enthusiasm and a sense of fun! | Adventure toursEmployer: Inspired Breaks Leave the tourist track behind and set off on the trip of a lifetime! Get your fill of culture and adventure, volunteer and catch a glimpse of the hidden sights most travellers miss. From Cambodia to Peru, you’ll get a unique view of local life and see the best each destination has to offer. |
Study Spanish in Argentina Employer: Expanish Expanish Spanish School in Buenos Aires Argentina offers inspiring Spanish immersion courses and volunteering community projects for students wanting to learn Spanish quickly and effectively, whilst assisting in local community development and enjoying the exciting culture of Buenos Aires | Voluntary workEmployer: Inspired Breaks Want to teach English in Thailand, help with wildlife conservation in Australia or work with a Himalayan community? Our volunteer options across the globe offer not only the chance to do something worthwhile with your career break but also a fantastic opportunity to visit amazing destinations. |
SportsEmployer: Real Gap Fancy riding the waves in Australia, mastering kung fu in China or trying scuba diving in Thailand? Use your sporting abilities to make a difference in underprivileged communities, gain new qualifications or just work on your skills on a whole host of amazing destinations around the world. | Round the world travelEmployer: Real Gap Can’t pick just one destination? How about setting off on a thrill-seeking tour of Australasia or getting a real dose of culture journeying across South East Asia! Choose from our range of round the world options or mix and match our trips to create your perfect gap year experience. |
Community Development Projects – Affordable RatesEmployer: Love Volunteers Looking to impact a community in need? Join Love Volunteers and our partner organizations to make a difference in developing countries through projects such as construction, community empowerment, vocational training, community outreaches and so much more. Your skills can make a huge difference | Affordable Latin America Volunteer PlacementsEmployer: International Volunteer HQ Volunteer abroad in Latin America with the world's most affordable international volunteer organization. International Volunteer HQ offers a wide variety of very affordable volunteer placements in Central and South America. Over 5000 volunteers travel with IVHQ on their volunteer programs annually. |
Teach EnglishEmployer: i-to-i Work on your classroom skills as you help to improve the future prospects of youngsters around the world! You can give impoverished youngsters a better start in life with classes in everything from English to sports and gain some valuable experience and an in depth knowledge of the local culture. | Experience Front Line Aid WorkEmployer: Agape Volunteers Volunteer with Agape Volunteers and provide crucial aid to refugees in Kenya. The refugee camp in the Central Rift Valley lacks the essentials of food, water and medical supplies. Agape Volunteers is currently the only aid organization operating there: help us to make a lasting impact.
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Combine Conservation, Community & Ecotourism Projects.Employer: The Leap Volunteering doesn’t have to be about about choosing between your interest in people or wildlife. Here at the Leap we believe that by combining several different projects Leapers gain a more challenging, insightful and exciting volunteer experience. So, pick a country and get stuck in. | Affordable Asian Volunteering PlacementsEmployer: International Volunteer HQ Volunteer with hundreds of others on one of IVHQ's incredibly affordable gap year volunteer projects. Over 5000 volunteers travel with IVHQ on their volunteer programs in Asia annually participating in programs such as panda conservation, orphanage work, medical work and teaching English to monks. |
Inspiring Care, Social Work and Orphanage ProjectsEmployer: Travellers Worldwide Challenging Care projects available in Orphanages, Crèches, Schools, Hospitals and Social Centres working with orphans, abused children, street children, children with learning and physical disabilities, and adults. Project available across the globe in some of the most needy and poor communities | Teaching - Challenging Projects with Underprivileged Communities around the WorldEmployer: Travellers Worldwide Teach children and adults from all backgrounds in Schools, Orphanages, Crèches, Children’s Homes and Social Care Centres. Subjects include English, Arts & Crafts, Drama, Music, Sports, Maths, and IT. We can tailor your experience so you teach what you’re skilled in! |
Work Exchange Employer: Workaway Workaway.info is a site set up to promote fair work exchange between budget travellers, language learners or culture seekers and families, individuals or organizations who are looking for help with a range of varied and interesting activities. | South & Latin America Employer: Volunteer South America VolunteerSouthAmerica.Net (VSA) is a directory of free and low-cost volunteer opportunities in South & Central America. The site is designed for backpackers /independent travellers looking for a real volunteer experience abroad, without paying any middle-man or agency fees. |