Volunteer work

Amp34

Amp34

Amp34

Caporegime
Joined
25 Jul 2005
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28,851
Location
Canada
I'm an unemployed bum at the moment (with no money, just finished uni and haven't got a proper job yet) and was thinking of applying to do some volunteer work, either in the UK or preferably abroad. The only problem is most of the voluntary work oversees you have to pay for (at least living costs) which means Billy no money hasn't a chance... Does anyone know of any companies/charities/websites that do voluntary work that you don't have to "pay" for (although I don't mind about air fares etc, although not paying for that would be preferable)?

I'm looking at either something to do with Geology/Environment or Animals (having done a degree in Geology). I know there are a few people who have either done work or are planning it so any input from them would be appreciated as well.:)

Unlikely I know, but you never know, someone may have more luck than me. Unfortunately I did have a couple of weeks lined up in Italy helping a researcher from my old uni, however that's been cancelled (are there any websites where researchers/lecturers advertise for assistants?)
 
For overseas stuff, unless you're qualified in something genuinely useful you'll have to pay for it.

Perhaps not the type of thing you're after, but try www.csv.org.uk, accommodation and ~£60pw expenses iirc.
 
Which is what I don't understand, why should you pay to volunteer? :confused: I've found a few sites offering free voluntary work, and there are a couple that seem reasonably interesting. Unfortunately most (like that csv website) involve people and not nature.

I do have a degree in Geology, which could be of some use, however I haven't really found any jobs that involve it. That's partly why I was wondering about field assistant jobs for researchers. :)
 
The ones I've heard of you pay for your travel, in these situations it isn't uncommon to seek sponsership for your voluntary work so that pays for your travel and the reward is you help an organisation for a period of time. These are obviously geared more towards voluntary charity work than other types of work.
 
My friend did some work for a while in sudan, I believe they paid for his flight and gave him money to live. But, he said it was *extremely* challenging work. I could get the details if you are interested?
 
Sorry, by useful, I meant a profession of some sort. VSO for example.

Why should you pay? Because the "work" done by a lot of these companies has little if any real value, the only qualification you need is to hand over a few grand, it's a business.
 
I used to voulenteer for the National Trust which was super, plenty of different jobs to do (i worked on restoring a walled garden) and its outdoors and with nature!
 
bsoltan said:
The ones I've heard of you pay for your travel, in these situations it isn't uncommon to seek sponsership for your voluntary work so that pays for your travel and the reward is you help an organisation for a period of time. These are obviously geared more towards voluntary charity work than other types of work.
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I wouldn't have a problem with that, it's just paying £500 etc to work for them for a couple of weeks that I really baulk at... As I sort of mentioned in my first post, i'd be more interested in helping study/release wildlife or look after/set up/research environmental damage, that sort of thing.

Dark_Angel said:
My friend did some work for a while in sudan, I believe they paid for his flight and gave him money to live. But, he said it was *extremely* challenging work. I could get the details if you are interested?
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What sort of work? That sounds very interesting (in the sense I could do it without having to find a job in the first place to pay). Was that with the UN volunteers? I had a look at them but you have to be over 25 to do it. (23 atm)

beh said:
Sorry, by useful, I meant a profession of some sort. VSO for example.

Why should you pay? Because the "work" done by a lot of these companies has little if any real value, the only qualification you need is to hand over a few grand, it's a business.
Click to expand...

They're not meant to be companies/businesses, they are charities (mostly) and although I can see why they do it it's rather annoying for someone that has no money but willing to help for free.

A few of the places I have looked that need "skilled" people will usually take on graduates as well. What I have found is most of them seem geared towards gap year working, where the person is already paying thousands to go round the world for fun, which I guess is why a lot of them can charge. Most of the ones I have found also seem to be based in South America and seem to be aiming more at Americans.

Any forums or message boards would be of help as well.:)
 
Slime101 said:
I used to voulenteer for the National Trust which was super, plenty of different jobs to do (i worked on restoring a walled garden) and its outdoors and with nature!
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I've had a look at them too, none in my area unfortunately. Also the local wildlife trusts only seem to need people one sat/sun a month (not to mention not being anywhere near me)
 
beh said:
Sorry, by useful, I meant a profession of some sort. VSO for example.

Why should you pay? Because the "work" done by a lot of these companies has little if any real value, the only qualification you need is to hand over a few grand, it's a business.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that VSO link. I'm also looking to do volunteer work for a bit of time rather than going directly to university, and they look really good.

Previously I was looking at www.africanimpact.com but I'm not too sure. VSO look a lot better, and provide a lot more, support wise.
 
apeZ said:
Thanks for that VSO link. I'm also looking to do volunteer work for a bit of time rather than going directly to university, and they look really good.

Previously I was looking at www.africanimpact.com but I'm not too sure. VSO look a lot better, and provide a lot more, support wise.
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That africanimpact site is a prime example of what I mean, they are a business that advertise "eco-holidays" for a couple of weeks, not atual voluntary service in my book. It's quite difficult finding "true" voluntary work (ie living in a shack in the middle of a jungle/desert for a couple of months counting earwigs:p) I guess due to it not actually making enough money to advertise, and the fact they don't advertise it as a holiday.:p
 
Amp34 said:
They're not meant to be companies/businesses, they are charities (mostly) and although I can see why they do it it's rather annoying for someone that has no money but willing to help for free.
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Honestly, what do you think motivates these companies?

What's your motivation? Why do you want to be abroad?
 
Amp34 said:
What sort of work? That sounds very interesting (in the sense I could do it without having to find a job in the first place to pay). Was that with the UN volunteers? I had a look at them but you have to be over 25 to do it. (23 atm)
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I think it was basic stuff, like teaching basic English and so on. But I don't really remember the details to well. I could get you the details if you would like, I would need to get hold of my friend for the website.
 
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Amp34 said:
I'm an unemployed bum at the moment (with no money, just finished uni and haven't got a proper job yet) and was thinking of applying to do some volunteer work, either in the UK or preferably abroad. The only problem is most of the voluntary work oversees you have to pay for (at least living costs) which means Billy no money hasn't a chance... Does anyone know of any companies/charities/websites that do voluntary work that you don't have to "pay" for (although I don't mind about air fares etc, although not paying for that would be preferable)?

I'm looking at either something to do with Geology/Environment or Animals (having done a degree in Geology). I know there are a few people who have either done work or are planning it so any input from them would be appreciated as well.:)

Unlikely I know, but you never know, someone may have more luck than me. Unfortunately I did have a couple of weeks lined up in Italy helping a researcher from my old uni, however that's been cancelled (are there any websites where researchers/lecturers advertise for assistants?)
Click to expand...

Until recently we have been working with an orphange in India where our brief was to help find volunteers, raise funds etc etc

Whilst doing this we offered volunteer placements, for the right people, with NO FEES PAYABLE - ever!

We even paid for accomodation and food.

Its true that if you go through the normal channels (volunteer agencies) you will have to pay £000's for the privilege - but screw your head on properly - do some reserach - make some calls - approach a likely venue directly and you will be pleasantly surprised at what they can offer if you are "the right person"!

Good Luck - its a great thing to do and could well change the course of your life!

khushy
 
What's a joke is that you can't do volunteer work in Canada on your standard travel visa, instead you actually have to apply for a work permit or be sponsored by a large charity. In fact, you can't even work at all. Which makes me wonder about these stories of visiting other countries and working your way around them seems like a load of bull.
 
Gackt said:
What's a joke is that you can't do volunteer work in Canada on your standard travel visa, instead you actually have to apply for a work permit or be sponsored by a large charity. In fact, you can't even work at all. Which makes me wonder about these stories of visiting other countries and working your way around them seems like a load of bull.[/QUOT

'Travelling' tends to be the past time of toffs. Buggering off to Thailand etc on Daddies credit card to get 'experience' - more like avoid work etc lol.
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