in groups of two to four, although individual
placements are possible.
annual no. of Volunteers: up to 28.
annual projects: up to eight.
partner programmes: up to 10.
selection & Interview process: apply online.
those initially selected are invited to attend a
further ‘selection day’ (usually in london) for
group activities, workshops and individual
interviews.
In-country support: Volunteers are supported
by the partner ngo they are working with.
there are also two dia coordinators based in
India who are contactable by telephone at all
times and able to travel to placements to deal
with emergencies.
epiphany trust
st davids, park rd sth, newton le willows,
merseyside, warrington wa12, uK
%+44 (0)1925 220999
fax +44 (0)1925 220179
[email protected]
http://www.epiphany.org.uk
the epiphany trust has supported the
romanian lugoj orphanage for over 15 years,
helping to transform it from one of the country’s
most appalling institutions to one of its best. as
an extension of this work, the trust has recently
opened the arc, a home for four young people
with minor learning disabilities who are of
an age to leave the orphanage. Volunteers
become part of the home’s ‘family’ and assist
the residents in learning basic life skills such as
cooking, cleaning and computer literacy. the
arc is located in the ski resort town of sinaia. In
sri lanka, volunteers can work in either of two
projects: in a street-children centre in Kandy or
with preschool children in the tea plantations of
the hill country. Volunteers are also required to
work in hong Kong with an international team,
redistributing surplus goods to areas of need
around the world.
status: registered charity.
timing & length of projects: from three weeks
to up to a year for all projects.
destinations: romania, sri lanka and hong
Kong.
Costs: romanian placements for three weeks
cost £390 exclusive of flights and insurance,
but include transfers, accommodation and
food. subsequent weeks cost £70. flights
are from £120 to £220. sri lankan and
hong Kong placements for three weeks cost
£1500 exclusive of flights and insurance, but
include transfers, accommodation and food.
subsequent weeks cost £100. flights are from
£600.
eligibility: the minimum volunteer age is
18 years. there is no upper age restriction.
Volunteers need to have good interpersonal
skills and a willingness to learn some
conversational romanian or sinhalese/tamil.
they must be enthusiastic and committed,
with an ability to empathise with young
people. applicants with disabilities are
welcome. Crb or equivalent check essential.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers usually
travel individually but often work in pairs.
annual no. of Volunteers: up to 10.
annual projects: 5
partner programmes: 5
selection & Interview process: Volunteers
can apply by post or online by application
form. references are taken up, and an
informal interviews are conducted either in
the northwest of england or at a mutually
convenient location in the uK.
In-country support: representatives of the
epiphany trust in romania, sri lanka and
hong Kong work closely with volunteers,
providing induction, traning and ongoing
support.experiment in International living
elphick house, 287 worcester rd,
malvern, worcester wr14 1ab, uK
%+44 (0)1684 562577, 0800 018 4015
fax +44 (0)1684 562212
[email protected]
http://www.eiluk.org
eIl is an educational charity specialising in
cultural-awareness programmes. founded
over 70 years ago, it tailor-makes group
programmes and individual placements that
give volunteers the chance to work in rural
development, health clinics, children’s groups
and conservation. most placements include
homestays with local families.
status: registered charity.
timing & length of projects: for european
destinations, placements are for two to 12
months. for most worldwide destinations,
placements are six weeks to one year.
destinations: argentina, Chile, brazil, ecuador,
guatemala, ghana, morocco, south africa,
India, thailand and the european union
member countries.Costs: european volunteering is completely
funded by the european union. for
placements outside europe, room and
board is provided but volunteers must be
self-funding.
eligibility: the minimum age for most projects
is 18. for european placements, disabled
volunteers receive extra financial assistance
and sometimes another volunteer to provide
support.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers travel
individually but often work within a group.
applicants interested in volunteering with a
friend, partner or family should contact eIl
about possibilities.
annual no. of Volunteers: 50
annual projects: 40
partner programmes: many, especially in
europe.
selection & Interview process: eIl prefers
to interview in person in malvern, however,
interviews can also be arranged in other
parts of the uK.
In-country support: eIl has partners in all
countries where volunteers are placed.
Volunteers are given a 24-hour emergency
number and support.Independent living alternatives
trafalgar house, grenville pl,
london n20 0af , uK
%+44 (0)20 8906 9265
fax +44 (0)20 8959 1910
[email protected]
http://www.ilanet.co.uk
Ila promotes the rights of disabled people
to live independently by providing them with
full-time personal assistance in their own
homes in london. Volunteers work full-time,
four days per week, supporting clients in day-
to-day activities and necessities.
status: registered charity.
timing & length of projects: placements are for
four months and occur throughout the year.
destinations: uK.
Costs: living expenses and accomodation are
provided.
eligibility: minimum age is 21. Volunteers need
to have a driving licence and empathise with
the organisation’s aims.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers work
individually but live communally.
annual no. of Volunteers: 50, with about
90% coming from overseas.annual projects: 10
selection & Interview process: Complete an
application form; this will be followed up with
a reference check and telephone or skype
interview.
In-country support: Volunteers have access
to the office and emergency support at all
times. they also receive training on arrival
which includes emergency policies and
procedures.Indian Volunteers for Community service
12 eastleigh ave, south harrow,
middlesex ha2 0uf, uK
%+44 (0)20 8864 4740
fax +44(0)20 8930 8338
[email protected]
http://www.ivcs.org.uk
this small organisation gives participants the
opportunity to be immersed in village life and
thereby learn about development first-hand.
placements are with grass-roots ngos
throughout rural India, although all volunteers
spend their first three weeks in the northern
state of uttar pradesh. IVCs has a strict
policy of only employing local staff and the
emphasis of all placements is on observing
and learning. Volunteers are ‘project visitors’
who can assist in activities such as office
administration, teaching and marketing. the
level of involvement is very much determined
by the motivation of the volunteers.
status: registered charity.
timing & length of projects: three weeks’
orientation is offered, with the option to stay
longer or move on to projects in other areas.
destinations: India.
Costs: project visitors pay all their own costs.
they must become members of IVCs (£15)
and pay £250 placement fee, which includes
literature, a short london orientation and
three weeks’ board and lodging at the project
in India.
eligibility: the minimum age is 18. there
are no required skills or experience. the
organisation cannot accommodate people
with disabilities.
groups or Individuals: Individuals, couples or
a small group of friends (up to three people).
annual no. of Volunteers: 30-40
annual projects: one main project but
contacts with 15 others.
partner programmes: the asian foundation
for philanthropy.06: Structured & Self-Funding Volunteer Programmes:Development Placements