Community projects are usually residential and generally involve working with adults with a variety of disabilities. The work may involve helping out with the feeding and dressing of residents, leading activities such as art, sport, and music, or taking outings to places of interests such as the theatre, seaside, or local pub! The aim is to support, enable, entertain, and befriend residents. Community projects enable volunteers to make a small but significant difference to people’s lives.
Outdoor Education projects vary from big organisations with a large number of seasonal young staff, to small family-run operations. The work will be varied and usually includes mundane chores such as cleaning, grass-cutting, and kitchen duties, along with the chance to instruct school groups in activities such as archery, ropes, abseiling, orienteering, assault courses, canoeing, and team building games.
Environment projects are mostly at residential field study centres which run courses for school groups and university students. This type of work would appeal to those with an interest in geography, environmental issues, ecology, and biology, as well as outdoor people who enjoy living and working in the remote countryside.
Schools Assistant projects are at Preparatory schools for 7–13 year olds (some have pre-prep departments for children from 3 years old), Senior schools for 13–18 year olds, or schools which combine some or all of these! Many are single-sex schools. Volunteers are usually based in the boarding houses or PE/sports departments, but most schools try to give the volunteer a varied timetable so that they can also spend time in the classroom.
Is it for me?
While the projects differ greatly, the need for volunteers with a hard-working, fun-loving nature is a constant. You’ll be surprised at how much the bonds you form with the people under your care will enrich both your life and theirs.
There is plenty of opportunity to travel, Europe is just at your door! If you are at a school then you can travel before, during or after school holidays. For all other projects you will have time to travel at the end of your placement.