one of the youth programmes of Vso, the
global xchange programme gives 18- to
25-year-olds the chance to live and work in
partnership with another young person from
a developing country for six months, spending
three months in the uK and three months in
their partner’s country. as well as doing work
of practical benefit to local communities, the
programme aims to build solidarity between
youth in the uK and developing countries and
promote strong and active participation in civil
society in each of the countries involved. for
more information on global xchange, see p95.
Inter-Cultural Youth exchange uK
latin america house, Kingsgate pl,
london nw6 4ta, uK
%+44 (0)870 774 3486/+44 (0)20 7681 0983
fax : +44 (0)20 7916 1246
[email protected]
http://www.icye.co.uk
ICYe-uK is a user-led charity working in the
field of personal, social and community
development. ICYe is part of the ICYe
International federation, which has been
recognised as an ‘International peace
messenger’ by the un general assembly and
has earned consultative status with unesco.
Volunteer placements include working in hIV
clinics and orphanages, with disabled people
and in primary schools. If you’re interested
in volunteering in europe, ICYe-uK is an eVs-
affiliated sending organisation (see p97).
status: Charity.
timing & length of placements: placements
last from three weeks to 12 months. the
shorter placements run year-round but
the longer ones (six or 12 months) depart
in january and august. apply with three
months’ notice.
destinations: many around the world,
including bolivia, brazil, Colombia, Costa rica,
europe, ghana, Kenya, mozambique, nepal
and new Zealand. also mexico, honduras,
uganda, morocco, nigeria, India, taiwan,
japan, Indonesia, Vietnam and south Korea.
Costs: a six-month placement costs from
£3795 and a 12-month one from £4495,
including international flights, living costs,
health insurance, pocket money, a language
course and pre-departure, on-arrival and
evaluation training seminars. If you’re 18 to 30
and going to europe then your trip could be
funded through the eVs.
eligibility: long-term international placements
are open to those aged 18 to 30; eVs is open
to 18- to 25-year-olds; and shorter term
placements to those 18 and above.
groups or Individuals: Individuals.
partner programmes: unesco, european
Commission’s ‘Youth In action’ programme,
the Council of europe (european Youth
directive) and mobility International.
selection & Interview process: many
applicants start with informational recruitment
days. Contact the organisation for details.
In-country support: after an orientation with
in-country staff, volunteers have the full
support of paid local staff.lattitude global Volunteering
42 Queens road, reading,
rg1 4bb, uK
%+44 (0)118 959 4914
fax +44 (0)118 957 6634
[email protected]
http://www.lattitude.org.uk
established in 1972, lattitude offers
experiences teaching english, caring for
the disadvantaged and working in medical
clinics. lattitude also runs a bursary scheme
for individuals needing help with the fees.
preparation courses on teaching skills and
language skills are provided along with
an orientation programme. there is also a
business partnership scheme: a number
of large uK businesses have access to the
lattitude volunteer database and target
former volunteers with offers of summer
jobs for university students and graduate
employment opportunities.
status: registered charity.
timing & length of placements: placements
can be year-round but most start in september,
january and march. they last from between
three and 12 months. applications and
interviews take place year-round, but you must
apply two months in advance.
destinations: In 17 different countries, including
argentina, australia, brazil, Canada, China,
ecuador, fiji, ghana, India, japan, malawi,
mexico, new Zealand, south africa, tanzania,
Vietnam and Vanuatu. applicants from abroad
can also apply to volunteer in the uK and
poland.
Costs: fees vary depending on project, but
they range from £1700 to £2300 depending
on length, location and type of placement.eligibility: applicants from the uK must be
aged at least 17 at the time of departure and
hold a british or Irish passport. Citizens of
other countries are also eligible to apply.
groups or Individuals: Individuals, sometimes
pairs.
annual no. of Volunteers: on average
lattitude globally places 1500 volunteers from
around the world in placements around the
world.
annual projects: In excess of 800 placements
globally each year.
partner programmes: around 20 worldwide,
providing both pre-departure training as well
as volunteer placements.
selection & Interview process: submit an
application via online form or post and pay an
application fee. lattitude conducts interviews
at its offices in belfast, dublin, glasgow,
leeds or reading. depending on the time of
year, you will receive an offer of a placement
within two weeks and then be contacted by a
project manager, who will discuss details of
the placement with you.
In-country support: the support network
includes in-country representatives and an
emergency 24-hour phone line. lattitude is a
member of the foreign and Commonwealth
offices ‘Know before You go’ campaign,
which helps prepare british travellers for their
trips overseas.the leap
1st flr, 121 high st, marlborough,
wiltshire sn8 1lZ, uK
%+44 (0)1670 519922
fax +44 (0)1672 519944
[email protected]
http://www.theleap.co.uk
the leap specialises in team volunteer
placements that combine conservation,
community and ecotourism projects. each
placement offers a variety of environments
(eg beach, rainforest, mountain) and
volunteer work, including teaching english
and sport, caring for orphans, building
clinics and wells, assisting rangers on safari
and taking part in reforestation projects.
In addition some placements also include
language lessons and an adventure
expedition element.
status: limited Company.
timing & length of placements: placements
are for six and 10 weeks. some departuresare flexible, while others take place in
january, april, july and september. You need
to apply at least a month before you leave.
destinations: Kenya, tanzania, south africa,
borneo, Cambodia, argentina, Costa rica,
ecuador and Venezuela.
Costs: starting from £1700 depending on
whether you stay for six or 10 weeks. everything
except flights and insurance is included.
approximately 60% of this fee goes straight to
the place where you are volunteering.
eligibility: You must be at least 17 at the time
of departure; solo volunteers are usually
between 22 and 60 years old.
groups or Individuals: Individuals and team
placements are available.
annual no. of Volunteers: 300
annual projects: 10
partner programmes: 10
selection & Interview process: each leaper is
called on application and invited to attend a
comprehensive training and selection course.
the course has two main aims: the first is for
you to meet the leap and your teammates,
and secondly it allows us to ensure you are
joining the most suitable placement.
In-country support: each placement is co-
ordinated by an in-country manager who will
ensure that your projects are completed, your
time is spent efficiently and, most importantly,
that you keep safe.
link overseas exchange
the hayloft, wards of Keithock, nr brechin,
angus dd9 7pZ, scotland
%+44 (0)1356 629134
fax +44 (0)1382 226087
[email protected]
http://www.linkoverseas.org.uk
link has an emphasis on informal teaching;
volunteers work in pairs, mainly teaching
conversational english to children in schools,
girls’ or boys’ homes, and orphanages. an
effort is made to place volunteers with skills
in music, drama, arts or sports accordingly.
other options include teaching english
in tibetan monasteries or helping with
community projects. recent community
projects include the building of a women’s
development centre and an hIV/aIds
awareness programme.
status: registered charity.
timing & length of placements: placements
are for six months (including up to six weeks05: Organised Volunteer Programmes:Options for the Under 30s