International development agency, Irish aid,
undpa, undp and more.
selection & Interview process: applicants
are selected on the basis of their application
form, personal statement, references,
assessment at a selection day and interview.
non-uK residents can opt for a phone
interview.
In-country support: field staff resident in each
country work from one or more permanent
offices and regularly visit placements to
organise training and offer general support.
workshops bring together volunteers from the
region to refresh their training.
UK Organisations
brathay exploration group
brathay hall, ambleside, Cumbria
la22 0hp, uK
%/fax +44 (0)15394 33942
[email protected]
http://www.brathayexploration.org.uk
brathay exploration group was set up in 1947
and is now a charitable trust that runs overseas
educational expeditions for young people.
some expeditions focus on fieldwork, others on
trekking. In 2006, one expedition spent a week
in a himalayan village building a classroom
before trekking through the desert region of
spiti. the average size of an expedition is 15
people. parts of the duke of edinburgh’s award
can be completed on these expeditions.
status: registered charity.
timing & length of expedition: two to four
weeks, departing in july or august. apply as
soon as the programmes are advertised on
the website.
destinations: these vary each year but may
include the Channel Islands, China, the
french alps, Italy, the lake district, morocco,
mull (scotland), south africa and tanzania.
Costs: expedition costs range from around
£300 to £2000, excluding international flights.
this includes comprehensive insurance, all
accommodation, food, group equipment and
in-country travel. brathay will arrange flights
and pass costs along to volunteers.
eligibility: members 15 to 25 years old,
voluntary leaders of 21 and older.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers can join up
as individuals or with one or more friends.
they join an expedition of between 10 and 20
members and up to four leaders.
annual no. of Volunteers: 50-100
annual projects: up to 10.
selection & Interview process: after submitting
an application form, medical questionnaire and
membership fee with your deposit, applicants
are selected by the expedition leader.
In-country support: groups are led by paid
and volunteer staff.british schools exploring society
the royal geographical society,
1 Kensington gore, london sw7 2ar, uK
%+44 (0)20 7591 3141
fax +44 (0)20-7591 3140
[email protected]
http://www.bses.org.uk
founded in 1932 by a surviving member of
scott’s antarctic expedition, bses aims to
provide opportunities for young explorers
to access remote areas of the world. It runs
five-week summer expeditions for those
aged 16 to 20 and longer two-month gap-
year expeditions for anyone aged 18 to 23.
explorers work within groups of 12 on a variety
of environmental and research projects.
expedition destinations vary each year but
typically include the amazon, arctic, himalayas
and desert environments. alice hughes, who
went to the amazon, says, ‘I think the trip has
made me grow up and confirmed my desire
to “preserve animals in their natural state” as
a career. I have had a wonderful time and will
definitely go back one day.’
status: Charity.
timing & length of expedition: the gap-year
expeditions are for roughly two months and
departure dates vary (check the website). the
four- to six-week summer expeditions depart
in mid-july. for deadlines and how to apply,
please see the website.
destinations: Vary from year to year.
traditionally expeditions were to arctic and
sub-arctic destinations, but over the last 16
years they have expanded to include India,
Kenya, morocco, papua new guinea and the
peruvian amazon.
Costs: the costs for expeditions average
around £3250 plus flights. fundraising support
is given and bses runs a mentoring scheme.
eligibility: applicants for the summer
expeditions must be aged 16 to 20 at the
time of the expedition but are encouraged to
apply up to 18 months in advance. gap-year
expeditions are open to 18- to 23-year-olds.some experience of camping, hill walking
and outdoor activities is desirable but not a
prerequisite.
groups or Individuals: Individuals.
annual no. of Volunteers: 200
annual projects: Vary, but always combine
adventurous activities with environmental
conservation projects.
selection & Interview process: all participants
complete a written application and an
interview, either in-person with a regional
interviewer, or over the phone.
In-country support: a qualified doctor
accompanies every expedition, in addition
to a chief mountaineer, chief scientist, base-
camp manager and two leaders for every
group of 12. also, there is a 24-hour uK
response team, International sos repatriation
and emergency cover.Changing worlds
11 doctors lane, Chaldon, Caterham,
surrey Cr3 5ae, uK
%+44 (0)1883 340960
[email protected]
http://www.changingworlds.co.uk
Changing worlds offers the experience of
integration – you live with a local family and
work with local people. It offers a variety of
paid and volunteering experiences, including
teaching, farming, law, journalism and
medical placements. james patterson, who
was placed at a school in ghana, says, ‘It
really was an amazing all round experience
and I loved every minute of it. I will definitely
be back to visit all the friends I made as soon
as I can find the time. Its a cliché to say the
words “life changing experience” but it’s true
in every way and I think the thing I learnt most
about in my whole trip was me.’
status: limited company.
timing & length of placements: placements
are for three to six months but can be
extended. departures are year-round.
destinations: argentina, australia, brazil,
China, dubai, germany, ghana, honduras,
India, Kenya, madagascar, new Zealand,
romania, serbia, south africa, thailand and
uganda.
Costs: prices for three- to six-month
placements start at £2370, including flights,
accommodation, food and in-country support.
a full pre-departure course covering, among
other things, safety, health and culturalawareness, is also included in the price.
some placements are paid.
eligibility: the minimum age is 17; most
volunteers are school and university leavers
but some are on a break from careers.
groups or Individuals: Individuals, but you
can go out as part of a group in september
january or april.
annual no. of Volunteers: 100
annual projects: 40
partner programmes: 2
selection & Interview process: participants
complete an online application before being
invited to one of the company’s regular
interview days. there they undergo a formal
interview and perform some practical activities.
selectors are looking for initiative, adaptability,
determination and good social skills.
In-country support: all participants have a
short orientation before being transported to
their placement, where support is provided
by destination managers who live and work
in the country.
global xchange
Carlton house, 27a Carlton drive, putney,
london, sw15 2bs, uK
%+44 (0)20 8780 7500
fax +44 (0)20 8780 7577
[email protected]
http://www.globalxchange.org.uk05: Organised Volunteer Programmes:Options for the Under 30sPhoto: AzafadyMadagascan children peer through the window of
a volunteer-built pharmacy