By volunteering abroad, you get to give something back whilst gaining so many unbelievable memories and experiences. Volunteering abroad demonstrates your interest in social responsibility and global citizenship, and reflects your willingness to contribute to community development whilst making a positive impact in the world.
We've got a number of programmes we recommend which can provide opportunities to work with communities and young people, or in conservation-related programmes. You can find out a little more information below, and the full details about what each programme involves, how to apply, fees, how long the programmes are and when you'd travel, visit our Essex Abroad Volunteering page.
Working with young people and communities
- Think Pacific- immerse yourself in Fijian culture
- Travelteer - Community programmes - Costa Rica, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
Fly across the world to the South Pacific and spend either one or two months absorbing yourself in Fijian culture, living in a traditional homestay with a local family, and delivering activities to youth groups, children, and rural communities. There are also programmes in Nepal, Costa Rica, and Sri Lanka. You're volunteering experience could be centred around community building, youth empowerment, mental health, sports development and public health, and textiles and design.
Work on conservation projects
Spend two weeks on the beautiful island of Kefalonia, protecting endangered sea turtles, or if you're interested in wildlife conservation and reserve management, you could spend a few weeks in South Africa carrying out animal studies, game counts, reserve maintenance, field patrols, data collection, and going on night drives. Or, over the course of 4-5 weeks, you could tackle environmental issues, improve access to water and sanitation facilities, and increase access to educational facilities in countries like Nepal, Costa Rica, and Tanzania. These projects range in durations, and some expeditions can take you to remote, rural locations to work alongside local communities – the marginalised ‘last mile’ of development that other charities do not reach.
Explore more about international volunteering opportunities