Volunteer outside Glasgow
If you wish to volunteer outside Glasgow in the rest of Scotland then please visit volunteerscotland.org.uk where you can search for opportunities or find the details of your local Volunteer Centre. Or hit these links for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland.
Volunteer Overseas
If you are thinking of volunteering in another part of the world then our advice to you is to research well in advance! There are many sending agencies who can assist you to volunteer overseas. The volunteering on offer varies widely – from short-term to long-term experiences, adventures to development roles, expensive to fund-raised opportunities, from profit-making to charities. Certain skills are required for many assignments.
Being clear on why you want to go overseas and what you might want to do, is a good start. Expect a sending agency to offer you a thorough selection process and preparation training. Make sure you get the chance to speak with someone who has been overseas with this organisation before. There is likely to be a long lead-in time before going overseas so research well in advance of your anticipated trip.
Useful Websites
- World Service Enquiry is the only organisation that provides independent information and career advice to people who want to volunteer or work in international development and aid and help you find volunteer overseas placements. They have an excellent handbook available to buy which covers all aspects of volunteering overseas as well as details of over 350 sending agencies.
- VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Their website includes extensive information on the volunteering experience as well as a number of volunteer stories.
- Xchange Scotland is a Glasgow-based youth-led charity which has been set up to provide affordable international volunteering opportunities. They are part of established worldwide networks which offer over 1300 projects every year, ranging from 2-4 weeks. For only £200 plus travel, you could be helping organise an intercultural festival in Morocco, or even planting trees in Japan. They are sure there’s a project out there for you! For the more adventurous, they also offer longer term volunteering opportunities. Working in a European charity for 1-12 months and receiving full funding, this is an amazing chance to learn new skills and experience new cultures! You have to be aged 18-30 to participate in this programme. Interested? For more details visit www.xchangescotland.org, or alternatively email them on info@xchangescotland.org
