Volunteer Programs in England
Guide to volunteering abroad in England
England may not be the first country you think of when you consider volunteering abroad but it can provide a rewarding experience for those who participate. England offers buzzing cities, quaint countrysides, and no shortage of volunteer projects looking for people like you.
Interested in volunteering in England? We’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn about the types of industries, opportunities, and how to get a volunteering job in England!
Common project types in England
If you’re interested in volunteering in England, there are opportunities that match your interests in places where help is really needed.
Healthcare
Whether you’re green or seasoned in the medical field, you will be able to find a volunteer opportunity in England where you can make a difference. While volunteering in England, you could be learning about global health issues, shadowing health professionals, providing assistance, administering basic medical procedures, and more depending on your experiences.
There are volunteer opportunities available in nursing, dentistry, medicine, nutrition, pharmacy, therapy, and general health care. Your time in England will be beneficial for your education, as well as for the patients you will be seeing.
Conservation
England was once covered with copious amounts of greenery, forests, and creatures. Although still rife with natural beauty, parts of the country suffer from deforestation brought on by the expansion of cities and towns.
As a volunteer in England, you could find yourself nurturing habitats for animals, conducting wildlife surveys, monitoring species, leading educational programs, or providing general maintenance for forest areas.
Social Work
As a social work volunteer in England, it will be your job to reach out to groups who are economically, socially, and physically marginalized. You can find volunteer work in shelters for the unhoused, senior citizen centers, or youth development organizations.
These volunteer positions are good for those interested in working closely with other people to support them in their daily lives. There are many opportunities for these kinds of volunteer placements all over England.
How to volunteer in England
- Choose a project that fits your goals and passions: It is important that you invest your time and energy into an industry and project which you are passionate about in order to get the most out of your experience.
- Determine how long you can volunteer for: You should assess your budget, visa length, among other factors to see how much time you can commit to volunteering.
- Start budgeting for your volunteer trip abroad: Planning ahead and budgeting will allow you to live comfortably while volunteering in England. Be sure to have a financial safety net in the event of unforeseen circumstances or emergency spending.
- Apply for your visa and travel insurance: Make sure that you meet the requirements before applying to volunteer in England. Volunteers from some countries may require the Temporary Worker - Charity Worker visa (T5) in order to volunteer in England.
- Be a responsible volunteer abroad and put the community first: Although this is a new and exciting experience for you, be sure that you put the community first, during and outside your volunteer hours.
Cost and funding
It’s important that you take into account factors such as the cost of living and any additional fees that you may need to cover during your volunteering project.
Average Volunteer Trip Costs
Providers will vary in their costs. The starting cost to sign up to volunteering programs in England can vary from $0 to $2000 USD. Typically, providers who charge a fee for volunteering in England will cover your accommodation, meals, and more, whereas those that do not require a fee will not cover these aspects.
Cost of living in England varies from location to location, but you can expect the cost of living to be higher in major cities such as London or in the city center of other cities. However, the average cost of living in England is slightly lower than that of the US.
Here are the average monthly living expenses in England or the United Kingdom:
- Food: $241.41 USD (£194)
- Housing: $995 (£800)
- Transport: $82 USD (£66)
Source: Numbeo
Scholarships and grants for volunteering
It is also a possibility that volunteers can receive a scholarship or grant for volunteering. Some volunteer program providers may even have their own scholarships specifically for those who decide to apply and contribute to their cause.
If you have a list of projects that you are considering applying for, it's worth reaching out to these organizations to inquire about grants or support they may offer.
Related Volunteer Abroad Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need a visa to volunteer in England?
If you want to volunteer in England, you can apply for the Temporary Work - Charity Work visa. With this visa, any work you do must be unpaid.
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Can I volunteer for free in the UK?
Yes, it is possible to volunteer for free in the UK. Keep in mind that you will likely need to cover costs for housing, food, and transportation while abroad.
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How can I join volunteer work in the UK?
You can apply for volunteering positions in the UK directly or search for available program providers onGo Overseas.
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Can a foreigner volunteer in the UK?
People of many different nationalities can apply for a visa to volunteer in the UK. You can also volunteer on your tourist visa if your total volunteer time is less than 30 days.