Great Britain Volunteering

Feel like saving the world this week? Volunteering can be a powerful and fulfilling experience, especially when combined with the thrill of traveling in a new place. Although the UK is considered wealthy by world standards, there are countless aid organizations that need volunteers. Civil strife continues to plague Northern Ireland, large urban communities suffer from poverty and housing shortages, and the landscapes and wildlife of northern England face threats of deforestation and species depopulation.

Most people who volunteer in Britain do so on a short-term basis at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers. The best way to find opportunities that match your interests and schedule may be to check with local or national volunteer centers. CharitiesDirect.com offers extensive listings and profiles on thousands of charities in the UK and can serve as an excellent tool for researching volunteering options. Volunteering England provides links to local charities and sponsors Volunteer’s Week, which recognizes and recruits volunteers throughout Britain. (☎0845 305 6979; www.volunteering.org.uk.) Northern Ireland’s Volunteer Development Agency (☎028 9023 6100; www.volunteering-ni.org) responds to inquiries concerning volunteer opportunities. Their Freephone (☎0800 052 2212) connects callers to local volunteer bureaus. The Wales Council for Voluntary Action (www.volunteering-wales.net) has a searchable database of opportunities organized by region and project type. Volunteer Development Scotland (☎01786 479 593; www.vds.org.uk) lets you connect with other volunteers in the area to share your experiences and learn about new opportunities. Glasgow’s Volunteer Centre, 84 Miller St., 4th floor (☎0141 226 3431; www.volunteerglasgow.org), provides useful volunteer listings and contact information. As always, read up before heading out.

Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. There are two main types of organizations—religious and secular—although there are rarely restrictions on participation for either. Websites like www.volunteerabroad.com, www.servenet.org, and www.idealist.org allow you to search for volunteer openings both in your country and abroad.

I Have To Pay To Volunteer? Many volunteers are surprised to learn that some organizations require large fees or “donations,” but don’t go calling them scams just yet. While such fees may seem ridiculous at first, they often keep the organization afloat, covering airfare, room, board, and administrative expenses for the volunteers. (Other organizations must rely on private donations and government subsidies.) If you’re concerned about how a program spends its fees, request an annual report or finance account. A reputable organization won’t refuse to inform you of how volunteer money is spent. Pay-to-volunteer programs might be a good idea for young travelers who are looking for more support and structure (such as pre-arranged transportation and housing) or anyone who would rather not deal with the uncertainty of creating a volunteer experience from scratch.

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