Close

Projects in backpack

No projects chosen yet
About volunteering
All countries
What do you want to work with?


Language spoken


Length of stay


Great Britain Great Britain: Grayhill Living History Camp (GB-IVS 12.2)

Dates

01/06/2026   -   19/06/2026

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Renovation
Cultural
Festival

Fee

GBP 279 i Fee is paid in two installments:

GBP 184 to be paid now.
GBP 95 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
10
Still room for
4 Male + 3 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
Bristol (BRS)
Nearest bus/train station
Chepstow bus station and Severn Tunnel train station
Map

Work

The camp covers three weeks and involves in the first two weeks the restoration of an early 17th century agricultural landscape as an educational resource. This year the main tasks will be completing the construction of a wood store and repairing gates (mostly carpentry work) plus preparation work for the Living History event such as path clearance.

In the third and last week the site will be holding its annual Living History display for schools. Around 40 volunteer experts in period costume will demonstrate life in the English countryside in 1599. A variety of skills from dyeing to cooking, haymaking to charcoal burning will be shown. Volunteers taking part in this week will be supplied with period costumes and work with a small group of English experts at one of the activities.

Accomodation and food

Facilities are very basic – there are no showers on site, you will be living in tents, and cooking will be done over open fires. Composting toilets are on site. Visits will be organised to the local swimming pool where there is a shower option. There is no piped water or modern facilities on the site and hot water is limited.

Location and leisure

LOCATION: The camp is located 5 miles from Chepstow (Monmouthshire) in Wales.
LEISURE: Swimming trips will be organised, and volunteers can play bowls in the garden.

Project hosted by

The Grayhill project is based in a recreated medieval village near Chepstow in Monmouthsire. The village has been in the process of being restored and rebuilt by the host project (Grayhill Conservation and Interpretation Group) since the mid-1980s.

Renovation of the entire 15.5 acre site to its late 16th early 17th century condition began in 1987. There are 30 fields in the 15 acres which have been returned to their historical land uses, hay meadows, pasture, woodland, arable, gardens and orchards.

Directions to meeting point

They will be provided in the Information Sheet

Additional comments

All foreign nationals travelling to the UK need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You cannot enter the UK without it. Please check the following link on how to apply for it: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Requirements

HOSTING FEE:
For IVS/VAP to run a programme of voluntary work projects in Britain we need to ask all volunteers participating in our projects to pay a hosting fee of £95 GBP.

The fee should be paid in advance at this link in our website: https://ivsgb.org/fee-for-short-term-uk/

IMPORTANT: Please note that volunteers will only receive a final confirmation of their placement after we have received notice of the payment of this fee.

Great Britain Great Britain: Green & Away - ECO Festival Internship (CONCUK262)

Dates

09/06/2026   -   05/08/2026

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Educational
Festival
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

GBP 334 i Fee is paid in two installments:

GBP 184 to be paid now.
GBP 150 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
1 Male + 1 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Birmingham (BHX)
Nearest bus/train station
Nearest train station: Worcester

Work

Volunteer work: Interns and residents are valued members of the crew throughout the summer. Groups of volunteers stay for different durations, and you will be the backbone of the crew, providing ongoing knowledge of the site and undertaking longer-term projects. Interns and residents will join the volunteers during the setting up and taking down of the site.

Successful applicants for both roles should work well as part of a team as well as independently, enjoy taking on new challenges and responsibilities, and have an interest in sustainability, charity work, ecotourism, and outdoor living. You will gain considerable management experience and learn about the challenges involved in sustainable living and environmental education.

Green & Away has hosted volunteers every summer for around 10 years and the feedback has been excellent. Participants have gained life-changing skills and have described their time as the best summer of their lives. Green & Away is a unique and magical place, with something for everyone.

Both Internships and Residencies provide the chance to learn, grow, and contribute to a vibrant outdoor community and sustainable events venue. Whether you are exploring new skills or developing an existing craft, they have opportunities for you to get involved.

Internships: The internship programme is ideal for those looking to gain new skills, try out different responsibilities, and learn in a real-world, supportive environment. Interns are involved in the day-to-day running of the eco-events site, leading teams of volunteers, and getting hands-on experience across several parts of the organisation.
What to Expect:
A full induction and on-the-job training during your first week
Continuous support from a dedicated trustee mentor
Regular check-ins with your internship manager for guidance and feedback
Experience living and working in a close-knit, off-grid community

Internship programme structure: At Green & Away, internships are tailored to your skills, areas of interest and what you’d like to develop. You could run 1 long project, or a portfolio of smaller projects, all with a focus on sustainability, ecotourism and outdoor living.

Project Examples:
Creating a strategy for the charity
Designing and painting educational boards and signage
Conducting a carbon-footprint analysis
Supporting social media content planning
Designing and delivering workshops for volunteers

Alongside your individual project, you will take on responsibilities in one or more core departments. You are advised to read the departmental descriptions and think about which parts interest you, as well as what skills you have and could lend to us this summer season.
Departments:

Hospitality & Ecotourism
Project & Events Management
Environmental Education

Internships are a great route for those who enjoy teamwork, want more structure, and would benefit from set tasks, clear guidance, and learning new skills from scratch. This pathway is well suited to people who may not yet have a specialised skillset but are enthusiastic, motivated, and eager to grow

Please note: when you first arrive, the field will be mostly empty except for essential facilities, as the site is built collectively during the first weeks. The nearest shop and post office are approximately 2 miles away.

Accomodation and food

Accommodation and food: Green & Away is entirely outdoors and under canvas. All interns and residents:
Provide their own tent or request to borrow one of the spares provided
Receive 3 vegetarian/vegan meals a day, plus tea breaks and cake
Have access to hot showers, clothes-washing facilities, composting toilets, and plenty of communal spaces

Additional on-site features include:
A licensed bar with subsidised pricing
Comfortable seating areas
Arts and crafts spaces (as they are built during setup)
WiFi and charging points

Location and leisure

Location and leisure: Green & Away is set up on the outskirts of a small village near Worcester, the nearest shop and post office is 2 miles away. The site is situated close to a village which has some small activities going on and is roughly 5-6 miles from Worcester by bus. Volunteers can travel quite freely to a big city. More immediately the site is located to a café with walking trails and a river for swimming bordering the camp.
There is a regular bus service from Worcester city centre to the village.

Project hosted by

Host partner: Green & Away is looking for passionate and hardworking individuals to help run a sustainable events venue this summer. Their programmes are varied and adapted to suit you and your interests. They offer a place to learn new skills, meet a range of different people and learn about sustainability, environmental events, with a behind-the-scenes look at running a charitable organisation and outdoor community.

Directions to meeting point

Travel Information: Green & Away is located 3 miles from Worcester which has a main line rail station and buses, which come to within a few minutes’ walk of the site. Directions will be provided.

Additional comments

Additional Information: You are welcome to apply for a placement in more than one department. Where a visa is required to undertake an internship or residency with Green & Away, we will cover the full cost of visa fees.
For Green & Away it is really important the volunteer understands what we are about (environmental charity, not a music festival!) and the circumstances of the facilities (outdoor showers and camping). Green & Away need volunteers to have a good level of English so that instructions can be followed (especially during setup and takedown) which is integral to the safety of themselves and everyone they are working with. A pre-approval interview over the phone will be organised with the host after applications.

MPORTANT: British Summertime can be cold at night – please ensure you bring enough warm clothes. Wet weather clothing and footwear is also strongly recommended, as the site can get muddy and it may rain. Volunteers need to have a good level of physical fitness and be confident walking on uneven ground outside.

Diversity, Access & Inclusion Statement
Green & Away is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, ages and lived experiences, including (but not limited to) people from underrepresented communities, people of colour, LGBTQIA+ people and people from lower-income backgrounds.

Requirements

To apply a Volunteer Engagement Form (VEF) is required and a CV. Apply as soon as you can as this starts in June. Applicants require an online interview with Green & Away. If offered the placement you will need good conversational English, 2 two professional references from a recent school/ college or employer and a police check. ETA/VISA, volunteer agreement, passport, arrival and departure details, medical and dietary requirements, media consent or not.

Great Britain Great Britain: Green & Away - Eco Festival Residency (CONCUK263)

Dates

09/06/2026   -   05/08/2026

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Educational
Festival

Fee

GBP 334 i Fee is paid in two installments:

GBP 184 to be paid now.
GBP 150 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
4
Still room for
2 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Birmingham (BHX)
Nearest bus/train station
Green & Away is located 3 miles from Worcester which has a main line rail station and buses which come to within a few minutes’ walk of the site.

Work

Volunteer work: Interns and residents are valued members of the crew throughout the summer. Groups of volunteers stay for different durations, and you will be the backbone of the crew, providing ongoing knowledge of the site and undertaking longer-term projects. Interns and residents will join the volunteers during the setting up and taking down of the site.

Successful applicants for both roles should work well as part of a team as well as independently, enjoy taking on new challenges and responsibilities, and have an interest in sustainability, charity work, ecotourism, and outdoor living. You will gain considerable management experience and learn about the challenges involved in sustainable living and environmental education.

Green & Away has hosted volunteers every summer for around 10 years and the feedback has been excellent. Participants have gained life-changing skills and have described their time as the best summer of their lives. Green & Away is a unique and magical place, with something for everyone.

Both Internships and Residencies provide the chance to learn, grow, and contribute to a vibrant outdoor community and sustainable events venue. Whether you are exploring new skills or developing an existing craft, they have opportunities for you to get involved.

Residencies: The residency programme is designed for individuals who already have a specific skillset and want the time, space, and support to develop and showcase their craft within a unique environmental setting.

Residencies are more independent, practical, and self-directed than internships, with residents taking the lead on creating, making, building or developing something substantial for the site or organisation.
What to Expect
Significant creative or practical independence

A trustee mentor to support you throughout the season
Opportunities to develop your craft while contributing to the smooth running of our sustainable venue
A chance to create something lasting that benefits the community

Suitable Skills for Residencies
Art and creative installation
Cooking and baking
Woodworking or carpentry
Technical site maintenance
Writing and poetry
Sustainable systems, fixing, repairing, or making
Residents should feel confident leading their own project and bringing an existing talent or craft to the organisation.

Accommodation and food: Green & Away is entirely outdoors and under canvas. All interns and residents:
Provide their own tent or request to borrow one of the spares provided
Receive 3 vegetarian/vegan meals a day, plus tea breaks and cake
Have access to hot showers, clothes-washing facilities, composting toilets, and plenty of communal spaces

Additional on-site features include:
A licensed bar with subsidised pricing
Comfortable seating areas
Arts and crafts spaces (as they are built during setup)
WiFi and charging points

Accomodation and food

Accommodation and food: Green & Away is entirely outdoors and under canvas. All interns and residents:
Provide their own tent or request to borrow one of the spares provided
Receive 3 vegetarian/vegan meals a day, plus tea breaks and cake
Have access to hot showers, clothes-washing facilities, composting toilets, and plenty of communal spaces

Additional on-site features include:
A licensed bar with subsidised pricing
Comfortable seating areas
Arts and crafts spaces (as they are built during setup)
WiFi and charging points

Location and leisure

Location and leisure: Green & Away is set up on the outskirts of a small village near Worcester, the nearest shop and post office is 2 miles away. The site is situated close to a village which has some small activities going on and is roughly 5-6 miles from Worcester by bus. Volunteers can travel quite freely to a big city. More immediately the site is located to a café with walking trails and a river for swimming bordering the camp. Please note: when you first arrive, the field will be mostly empty except for essential facilities, as the site is built collectively during the first weeks. The nearest shop and post office are approximately 2 miles away.

Project hosted by

Host partner: Green & Away is looking for passionate and hardworking individuals to help run a sustainable events venue this summer. Their programmes are varied and adapted to suit you and your interests. They offer a place to learn new skills, meet a range of different people and learn about sustainability, environmental events, with a behind-the-scenes look at running a charitable organisation and outdoor community.

Directions to meeting point

Green & Away is located 3 miles from Worcester which has a main line rail station and buses which come to within a few minutes’ walk of the site. Directions will be provided.

Additional comments

Additional Information: You are welcome to apply for a placement in more than one department. Where a visa is required to undertake an internship or residency with Green & Away, we will cover the full cost of visa fees.
For Green & Away it is really important the volunteer understands what we are about (environmental charity, not a music festival!) and the circumstances of the facilities (outdoor showers and camping). Green & Away need volunteers to have a good level of English so that instructions can be followed (especially during setup and takedown) which is integral to the safety of themselves and everyone they are working with. A pre-approval interview over the phone will be organised with the host after applications.

IMPORTANT: British Summertime can be cold at night – please ensure you bring enough warm clothes. Wet weather clothing and footwear is also strongly recommended, as the site can get muddy and it may rain. Volunteers need to have a good level of physical fitness and be confident walking on uneven ground outside.

Diversity, Access & Inclusion Statement
Green & Away is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, ages and lived experiences, including (but not limited to) people from underrepresented communities, people of colour, LGBTQIA+ people and people from lower-income backgrounds.

Requirements

To apply a Volunteer Engagement Form (VEF) is required and a CV. Apply as soon as you can as this starts in June. Applicants require an online interview with Green & Away. If offered the placement you will need good conversational English, 2 two professional references from a recent school/ college or employer and a police check. ETA/VISA, volunteer agreement, passport, arrival and departure details, medical and dietary requirements, media consent or not.

Great Britain Great Britain: Rock Farm (CONCUKTEEN26)

Dates

29/06/2026   -   05/07/2026

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Environmental
Social

Already accepted volunteers from

Turkey Poland

Fee

GBP 754 i Fee is paid in two installments:

GBP 184 to be paid now.
GBP 570 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
16 - 17
Max number of volunteers
20
Still room for
17
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LGW)
Nearest bus/train station
Brighton Train Station

Work

Volunteer Work: Volunteers will carry out environmental and sustainable conservation volunteering while learning hands on practice in carbon-negative food production and sustainability. Volunteers’ day to day task would include a range of skill based learning activities for example: planting trees, growing vegetables, picking and preparing crops. Volunteers will also be harvesting fruits and vegetables which are needed for the market, alongside the potential of some construction work to further enhance the volunteer’s skillset. Volunteers will be receiving an educational experience alongside the volunteering. Main volunteering tasks will include:
• Berry Picking
• Cleaning and weeding
• Tending to plants
• Looking after wildlife
• Tree care
• Education sessions with the host

Accomodation and food

Accommodation and Food : Volunteers will stay in large style canvas tents throughout the project, 'this is off-grid, sustainable living, so please plan ahead and bring warm clothes and sleeping items.
Rock farm will provide dry goods and fresh produce for 2 meals per day, plus one hot meal cooked together with the rock farm staff. All Volunteers are expected to get involved in the cooking process and washing up.

Volunteers will have access to 2 showers – they are outdoor showers, so you will need to bring flip-flops/sliders and a swimming costume. Carbon negative showers only provide a certain amount of hot water per day. One of the tasks for the volunteers is to create the hot water system! Rock farm has a small furnished cabin in the camping area for use as a meeting and relaxing area. There are a 4 further buildings/cover for eating and cooking – including a pizza oven!

Facilities are basic and this is part of the experience. The farm operates mostly off-grid, so all toilets are composting loos and there is a limited amount of solar-power for charging of phones. It is strongly recommended to bring a battery-pack for your phone, and to embrace having a break from your tech!

Location and leisure

Location and Leisure: Rock Farm is based near Steyning, about 20 miles from Brighton. Volunteers will have the chance to visit the local area and go for hikes in the countryside. Visits to close-by sites will ensure that the group get to explore the area and learn about British culture.

There are two farm shops within short walking distance if volunteers want to get any food/snacks – with a further two villages within an hour’s walk. The accommodation is on the South Downs walking trail, with many beautiful hikes available to the volunteers.

The Concordia Leader will help volunteers make plans for their free time – but volunteers will be expected to contribute ideas and suggestions for activities.

Volunteers will have cultural visits and leisure activities will be organised together with the group. Activities will include:
• Walk to local historic town Steyning
• Pizza Oven night
• Games Night
• Camp Fire
• Visit to Brighton
• Farwell Party

Project hosted by

Host Partner: Rock Farm is a therapeutic growing project open to everyone, restoring both the landscape and people through an innovative market garden model. They grow fruit and vegetables using regenerative, permaculture, and no dig principles, with absolutely zero pesticides or herbicides. The farm is at the cutting edge of embedding productive crops in a forest garden ecosystem, which sinks a large amount of carbon into the soil instead of emitting it and provides the backbone of their sustainability and therapeutic work. Retreats, camping, workshops and horticulture courses are also available at Rock Farm, especially for marginalised people.

Rock Farm is part of One Church Brighton, an organisation with several social projects in and around the Brighton area. The farm grows produce on 6 acres of community land in West Sussex, offering access to horticultural therapy and community gardening for a range of volunteers and vulnerable groups.

Directions to meeting point

Collection on 29th by minibus at Brighton Train Station, times to be confirmed

Additional comments

Additional Information: This is a teenage project for young people aged 16-17 during the project. A minimum of 10 participants is required for this project to go ahead. Only 4 young people per nationality please.

Leaders: To ensure the smooth running of the project and the safety of young people, Concordia provides one paid and trained leader for every 10 young people.

IMPORTANT: British Summertime can be COLD AT NIGHT – please ensure you bring enough warm clothes. Wet weather clothing and footwear is also strongly recommended, as the site can get muddy and it may rain. Volunteers need to have a good level of physical fitness and be confident walking on uneven ground outside.

Requirements

Documents and Application: To apply a Volunteer Engagement Form (VEF) is required and letter of motivation with parental consent. ETA/VISA, volunteer agreement, passport, arrival and departure details, medical and dietary requirements, media consent or not.

Great Britain Great Britain: YMCA (CONCUK261)

Dates

06/07/2026   -   04/09/2026

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Children
Sport
Social
3
Place(s)
left
full for < 18

Already accepted volunteers from

China

Fee

GBP 334 i Fee is paid in two installments:

GBP 184 to be paid now.
GBP 150 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
4
Still room for
3
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Southampton (SOU)
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest train station is Botley Railway Station (Hampshire)

Work

Volunteer Work: YMCA Fairthorne is a vast, natural, outdoor environment where memories are made to last a lifetime, adventures are found around every corner and you have the chance to deliver life changing experiences. They are offering international volunteers the opportunity to run a variety of activities with children and will provide you with valuable experience and training.

Every year they welcome thousands of visitors to the manor’s 94 acre site on the south coast of England. The site includes vast grounds, mature woodland, a lake, access to the River Hamble and a range of exciting outdoor activities. Fairthorne is a place of firsts – from toddlers walking, kids splashing in the mud, being away from home, trying new activities or a school trip to remember. Enabling young people to grow and thrive is only made possible with the help of top-notch volunteers from around the globe.

The role of Volunteer Leader offers an experience that really embodies YMCA values:
Welcoming, Active, Listening, Inspiring, Caring, Exciting
You will lead activities and games, get involved in evening entertainment, ensure smooth running of our dining room, singing at campfire, be a pro at ‘doing the YMCA’ dance routine and generally make a huge difference to our community! Behind the scenes you may get involved in any area of our large operation, from helping to look after our beautiful woodland and grassland areas, maintain activities, putting up tents, helping out in the kitchen, making beds and much, much more.

YMCA wants you as a volunteer if you…
Know how to have fun
Want to make friends from all over the world
Love being outside come rain or shine
Enjoy inspiring children and young people and have some experience of this
Want to learn new skills and improve the amazing ones you already have
Have a good level of English
Like the idea of no two days being the same
Love the idea of making every visit to Fairthorne special and one to remember

What you get in return…
Full training and development opportunities
3 meals a day
Free accommodation in tents with bedding provided
Branded t-shirts
Loads of fun in the great outdoors and the chance to build friendships that last for a lifetime
Learn new skills to stand you in good stead for many careers
Chance to improve day to day English conversation skills
The opportunity to learn about, and be part of, a huge international YMCA movement
Fun staff and volunteer social events
2 days off for every 5 worked to enable you to experience UK culture

Accomodation and food

Accommodation and Food: Accommodation is in tents with bedding provided. Food is canteen- style with a limited choice, but with a vegetarian option. 3 meals a day are provided, which includes a cooked breakfast and / or cereals, lunch and a cooked evening meal. Meals are at set times.

Location and leisure

Location and Leisure: YMCA Fairthorne encourage all volunteers to take the chance to get out and explore the UK. It is less than 2 hours from London with a local train station. Situated in a 94-acre site in Botley, it truly is a stunning landscape where volunteers can enjoy nature. It is close to Southampton which is one of the biggest Cities on the South Coast where volunteers can explore and enjoy the following:
Visit the Solent Sky Museum
The theatre
Southampton Football Club - Go to a game!
Visit the Tudor houses
Travel to Stonehenge

Project hosted by

Project Host: The YMCA Fairthorne Group operates throughout Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton from 30 venues. Their programmes include 14 early years settings, school holiday day camps, community activities, residential centres, camping and housing for young people.

Directions to meeting point

Travel Information:
A lift to the site is provided from Botley Rail station by the host.

Additional comments

Additional Information: A payment of £157 is paid to you at the end of your volunteering time to reflect out of pocket expenses.

IMPORTANT: British Summertime can be cold at night – please ensure you bring enough warm clothes. Wet weather clothing and footwear is also strongly recommended, as the site can get muddy and it may rain. Volunteers need to have a good level of physical fitness and be confident walking on uneven ground outside.

Requirements

Documents and Application: To apply a Volunteer Engagement Form (VEF) is required. YMCA ask you to complete a brief application form. They require an online interview with you. If offered the placement you will need good conversational English, 2 two professional references from a recent school/ college or employer and a police check. ETA/VISA, volunteer agreement, passport, arrival and departure details, medical and dietary requirements, media consent or not.

Great Britain Great Britain: Buddhafield Festival 2026 (GB-IVS 13.5)

Dates

08/07/2026   -   23/07/2026

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Festival
Cultural

Already accepted volunteers from

Spain Czech Republic

Fee

GBP 279 i Fee is paid in two installments:

GBP 184 to be paid now.
GBP 95 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
10
Still room for
5 Male + 3 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LHR)
Nearest bus/train station
Taunton train station
Map

Work

Needless to say, in order for the Festival to be a life-enhancing and indeed for some a life-transforming experience, much hard work is required. From the day we arrive in an empty field with a small vanguard, our numbers gradually swell until we have around eight hundred volunteers welcoming the three thousand visitors. The set-up crew erect the structures that will act as kitchens and venues. They establish the infrastructure such as plumbing, compost toilets, showers and saunas. They make the site beautiful and safe with flags, bunting, paths, fences and lighting. Then during the Festival we have stewards to welcome and guide festival goers, to manage parking and traffic and to attend to people's well-being. Toilet wizards maintain the compost toilets. A team of recyclers sorts materials so as to minimise landfill. The kitchen crew feed volunteers and festival goers alike. The site crew look after the infrastructure, tents, water etc. During the set-up phase, volunteers will get one day off and during the festival two days either as full days or half days, depending on the needs of the particular teams.

IVS/VAP volunteers will be invited to work in one of a number of areas before and during the festival, for example: the Healing area, the Buddhafield cafe, site crew, recycling and ‘toilet wizards’, décor, welcome and departure teams.

During the Festival the volunteers will have work shifts, but will also have time to enjoy the huge variety of events taking place and facilities available as outlined above. Volunteers are asked to attend daily morning meetings, the exact time depending on what area of work they choose to join. The work is very team-based. The whole enterprise runs on goodwill, awareness of each others’ needs, good communication and mutual support.

Accomodation and food

Volunteers should bring their own tents, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and everything you would need for a camping trip. Weather can be range from very hot in the sun to very cold at night, so please bring plenty of blankets as well as sun cream, warm-weather clothes and proper waterproof jackets and trousers. Showers and toilet facilities are outdoors and though cleaner and better cared for than other festivals, they are outdoors and basic.

Buddhafield will provide 100% vegan food and hot drinks and snacks are available throughout the day. If you need animal products, you will have to bring with you a supply of food that does not need refrigeration.

Location and leisure

LOCATION: The festival is located in the Blackdown Hills near Taunton, Somerset.
LEISURE: During the Festival the volunteers will have work shifts, but will also have time to enjoy the huge variety of events taking place and facilities available as outlined above.

Project hosted by

The Buddhafield Festival is held over five days, on a beautiful site in the Blackdown Hills, in Somerset, England. The event brings together around three thousand people for a sharing and celebration of alternative social, cultural, political and spiritual values. The mix of activities around Buddhist, environmental, healing and social change themes together with general festival attractions such as singing, dance, yoga, drumming, live music, comedy, craftwork, chai cafes, saunas, hot tubs and a huge range of activities for children, attracts a wide range of festival goers. The feedback we get is that for many the event is a reminder that a more positive and kind alternative to conventional competitive and environmentally damaging ways of living is possible. In keeping with the Festival's Buddhist ethos the event is a drug and alcohol-free zone.

Directions to meeting point

They will be provided with the Information Sheet

Additional comments

Volunteers will be interviewed online by IVS/VAP before they get the final acceptance in the project.

They are required to read the following document before the interview:

Safeguarding Code of Conduct: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HKmzCb7llBp6rKb69L6TQvus6eqHOn1wZ352m0fUFjs/edit

Requirements

HOSTING FEE:
For IVS/VAP to run a programme of voluntary work projects in Britain we need to ask all volunteers participating in our projects to pay a hosting fee of £95 GBP.

The fee should be paid in advance at this link in our website: https://ivsgb.org/fee-for-short-term-uk/

IMPORTANT: Please note that volunteers will only receive a final confirmation of their placement after we have received notice of the payment of this fee.

Volunteers should send together with the application form a Police Check stating they do not have a criminal record.

NB: All foreign nationals travelling to the UK need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You cannot enter the UK without it. Please check the following link on how to apply for it: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Great Britain Great Britain: Summer at the Othona Community (GB-IVS 13.6)

Dates

10/08/2026   -   24/08/2026

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Manual Work
Environmental
2
Place(s)
left
full for < 18

Fee

GBP 279 i Fee is paid in two installments:

GBP 184 to be paid now.
GBP 95 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
6
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LGW)
Nearest bus/train station
Southminster train station

Work

During summer volunteers will be helping with the day to day running of the community, and interacting with guests and members, ongoing work to the grounds and gardens and creation of new facilities.

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will be camping and tents are NOT provided, therefore volunteers should bring their own tents and sleeping bags/mats.
Food will be healthy and home-made. Vegetarian diets can be catered for.

Location and leisure

LOCATION: The Othona Community is situated near Bradwell-on-Sea on the east coast of Essex, next to a beautiful nature reserve. It is 5km from the nearest village.
LEISURE: During the volunteers’ time here, there will be a celebration of our 80th Anniversary and also Astronomy Week. Details of these events can be viewed on Othona's website when they become available: https://www.othona.org/essex/programme/upcoming-events/
Outside their work duties volunteers are encouraged to join in these activities.

Project hosted by

The Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex was founded in 1946. It is a residential centre for people of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds to seek a common understanding in the cause of Peace. Othona has welcomed IVS/VAP volunteers since the early 1970's. Othona is a non-dogmatic Christian Community founded next to one of the oldest churches in the UK (654 AD). It fully involves non-Christians. It is an experimental community where work, worship, study and play are combined. Volunteers will be fully integrated in the life of the community.

Directions to meeting point

Will be provided with the Info Sheet

Additional comments

HOSTING FEE:

For IVS/VAP to run a programme of voluntary work projects in Britain we need to ask all volunteers participating in our projects to pay a hosting fee of £95 GBP.

The fee should be paid in advance at this link in our website: https://ivsgb.org/fee-for-short-term-uk/

IMPORTANT: Please note that volunteers will only receive a final confirmation of their placement after we have received notice of the payment of this fee.

Requirements

IMPORTANT: All foreign nationals travelling to the UK need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You cannot enter the UK without it. Please check the following link on how to apply for it: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta