Thinking of taking a break? Why not see the world and help others?

Volunteering overseas is a good experience for everybody. It provides you with new experiences and an opportunity to learn while you are in a different country. People who volunteer abroad learn so much about the culture and the people who they volunteer and live with. You can expect to volunteer nearly anywhere in the world. Most people volunteer in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

What types of volunteering are on offer?

• You can volunteer with charities that provide emergency relief when a disaster happens.
• You may wish to volunteer in an orphanage - volunteers can also give their time in schools, teaching both children and adults.
• You can volunteer in construction , to help build schools, clinics, community centres or social housing.
• If you a professional working in healthcare, you can volunteer for a range of overseas programmes, such as immunisation. Non professional people can also get involved in healthcare programmes.
• You can help people sell products that they make.
• You can help to staff programmes and projects involving young people.
• You can get involved in conservation projects, helping looking after national parks, forests or wildlife around the world.
• You can get get involved in marine conservation, combining both elements of conservation and wildlife volunteering.

The latest edition of ACTION! - The Voluntary Service Bureau's Magazine of Young Citizens in Action - is full of information and links to help you get started in volunteering abroad.

Click here to visit VSB's website and download the Gap Year edition of ACTION!

Here are a few links to help you on your way

WorldWide Volunteering
A non-profit making organisation whose aim is to make it easier for people of all ages to volunteer. This is done by providing instant access to information about the widest range of volunteering opportunities throughout the UK and worlwide.
www.worldvolunteerweb.org

VSO Global
Volunteer opportunities in development projects.
www.vso.org.uk

Volunteering Options
This site has been developed as part of the Volunteering Options programme, which was set up by Comhlámh in 2004. Funded by Irish Aid, the programme was established in response to the growing interest among the Irish public in volunteering overseas in developing countries for short periods of anything up to a year. Search for an opprotunity, find out useful information and read volunteer stories.
www.volunteeringoptions.org

EVS European Voluntary Service
EVS offers young people the opportunity to volunteer in another country, normally for a period of six to twelve months. A wide variety of placements can be found in the social, cultural, environmental and sports sector. Shorter placements of three weeks to six months are available to young people with fewer opportunities or special needs.
Click here to find out more

www.gapyear.com

Platform2
Platform2 sends 18-25 year olds on ten week fully funded trips* to South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Peru, India and Nepal.
*That means you dont have to pay! You do need a valid passport, travel costs for your local interview and to get to Heathrow Airport (London) for your flight.
www.myplatform2.com