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Great Britain Great Britain: Green & Away (CONCUKSTV01-25)

Dates

09/06/2025   -   05/08/2025

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Festival

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 75 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
5
Still room for
2 Male + 3 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Birmingham (BHX)
Nearest bus/train station
Nearest train station: Worcester. There is a regular bus service from Worcester city centre to the village (4 miles/7 km).

Work

VOLUNTEER WORK: At Green & Away, the host tailors the internships to the applicants’ areas of interest and what skills you would like to develop. During your time with Green & Away you could run one long project, or a portfolio of smaller projects, all with a focus on sustainability, ecotourism and outdoor living.

Past Projects have included:
• Writing a strategy for the charity
• Designing and Maintaining educational boards and signs
• Doing a carbon footprint analysis
• Helping with the social media
• Designing and running educational workshops for Green & Away Volunteers

Green & Away runs via a number of “departments” and alongside your individual project, you will be tasked with responsibilities within one or several of these departments (you can tell us about your preferences in your application). 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 for our summer season. The departments are as follows:
• Catering & Sustainable food
• Hospitality and ecotourism
• Technical and maintenance
• Office and project management
• Eco Event Management

Accomodation and food

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD: Green & Away takes place outdoors and under canvas. You will need your own tent; however, we may be able to arrange one for you if you are unable to bring one and you let us know in advance. Full board is provided (three vegetarian/vegan meals a day and regular tea breaks with cake!). The site has hot showers, clothes washing facilities and composting toilets. All safety equipment you may require will be provided.

A licensed bar with subsidised pricing, comfortable seating areas, and arts and crafts facilities come as and when we have built them. There is Wi-Fi and phone/laptop charging facilities. Please note, when you first arrive the field will be almost empty (although our toilets and showers will be operating), so please be prepared for this).

IMPORTANT: – Even in the British Summertime it can be VERY 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 even the summer can bring a rainy day.

Location and leisure

LOCATION & LEISURE: Green & Away is set up on the outskirts of a small village near Worcester, the nearest shop and post office is two 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 with a direct 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. The nearest hospital is 9 miles away.

Project hosted by

PROJECT: Green & Away are a registered educational charity, that organise, build and run Europe's only tented, sustainable conference centre - a temporary eco-village, situated on a farm in the west of England. Each summer they bring a community of around 100 volunteers from across the world together to create the site, facilitate events, and take down this beautiful and unique project. Green & Away provides an outdoor low impact venue to host many different events. Our purpose is to provide a space for environmental and social education through hosting sustainable events and volunteer education programmes.

Successful applicants for the internship programme should work well as part of a team and also 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 is an entirely volunteer-run organisation and as an educational charity, teaching our interns has been an integral part of our work for over ten years. All interns are expected to stay on site throughout the season and are provided with three vegetarian meals a day and a space to pitch your own tent. If you would struggle to bring your own tent or sleeping equipment, we can provide you with one of our spares.

Green & Away is looking for several passionate and hardworking individuals to join the summer internship programme. The programme is varied and adaptable to suit you and your interests. What we can offer you is a place to learn new skills, meet a range of different people and learn about sustainability, environmental education, and running a charitable organisation. Green & Away has hosted interns every summer for around six years and the feedback we have received has been excellent. Our interns have gained life-changing skills with us and have described their time as the best summer of their lives. Green & Away is a unique and magical place, with something for everyone.

Requirements

For Green and 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY: Volunteers must enjoy being outside, be motivated to work hard to create a beautiful and functional site, have an interest in community life, and a desire to learn about living in an environmentally sustainable way. A motivation letter is required. Volunteers must also speak a good level of English. All applicants will fill in an application pack and have an interview with the host before acceptance on to the project.

All applicants will receive a Zoom call to check their English level is high enough; the hosts need to check that you can understand health and safety instructions etc.

ACCESSIBILITY: Volunteers need to have a good level of physical fitness and be confident walking on uneven ground outside.

UK VISA COSTS: If the volunteer needs a VISA to enter the UK, an additional £25 needs to be paid to Concordia to cover the cost of the VISA sponsorship certificate. Volunteers will need to pay £298 for a Tier Five Charity VISA. Green & Away will be able to part-subsidise a certain number of volunteers travel costs.

Great Britain Great Britain: YMCA Fairthorne Manor (CONCUKMTV02A-25)

Dates

16/06/2025   -   15/07/2025

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Sport
Children
Social
1
Place(s)
left
full for < 18

Already accepted volunteers from

Vietnam

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 75 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
1
Still room for
1 Male + 0 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Southampton (SOU)
Nearest bus/train station
Nearest airport: Southampton – Eastleigh or London Gatwick. Nearest train stations: Botley Railway Station.

Work

Specifically Programmes and Festival support will support our school residential groups and the world famous Young Carers Festival.

VOLUNTEER WORK: Ensure all visitors to YMCA Fairthorne Manor have an experience that really embodies all of our 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 they will remember forever

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

Accomodation and food

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD: Accommodation is in tents with bedding provided. Food is ‘Canteen style’ with a limited choice but with a vegetarian option. Three meals a day are provided, which includes a cooked breakfast and / or cereals, lunch and a cooked evening meal. Meals are at set times.

IMPORTANT: – Even in the British Summertime it can be VERY 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 even the summer can bring a rainy day.

Location and leisure

LOCATION: YMCA Fairthorne encourage all volunteers to take the chance to get out and explore the UK. YMCA Fairthorne is situated just outside of Southampton and less than two hours from London with a local train station. Generally, our volunteers will receive 2 days off in every 7 so its easy to access many parts of the UK. Situated in a 94-acre land in Botley, it truly is a stunning landscape where volunteers can enjoy the nature. It is not too far away from 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: The 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 we welcome thousands of visitors to YMCA Fairthorne Manor’s 94 acre site on the south coast of England. Our site includes sweeping 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. Can you help add the sparkle to everything we do?

About the YMCA
The YMCA started in 1844 in London and has grown to become a worldwide organisation with 45 million members in 125 countries. The YMCA has adapted to the needs of today and works with all ages, races, religions and cultures. Each YMCA now operates on a local scale, delivering services that meet the needs of their local community, in keeping with the wider organisation’s values and aims. At YMCA Fairthorne Group, they are proud to be affiliated with the wider YMCA movement – the world’s largest and longest-running youth charity.

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.

Part of the YMCA Fairthorne Group, YMCA Fairthorne Manor, provides a wide range of programmes on-site, including high quality childcare for children aged 0-5yrs, school holiday Day-camps, residential programmes for groups, a family campsite and community activities.

Directions to meeting point

SO30 2GH The host can arrange collection from the local station.

Requirements

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must request an application pack and send a completed VEF, two professional references, including one from their most recent school/ college or employer.

Zoom Interviews: will be arranged individually. After Zoom interview, if confirmed on the project, volunteers need to send a certificate of good conduct /police check from your home country.

UK VISA COSTS: All volunteers will need to apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker, please be aware that this has replaced the Tier 5 (T5) Charity Worker VISA. The application fee for this VISA is £298 and you can stay for up to 12 months. To apply for the Charity Workers VISA volunteers will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) this will be provided by Concordia at the cost of £25.

Great Britain Great Britain: Rock Farm - Teenage (CONCUKTEEN01-25)

Dates

30/06/2025   -   07/07/2025

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Agricultural
Manual Work

Already accepted volunteers from

Italy Turkey France Czech Republic Spain

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 480 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
8
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LGW)
Nearest bus/train station
LOCATION: Rock Farm is based near Steyning, about 20 miles from Brighton.

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: Planting trees, growing vegetables, tree work. 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 & FOOD: Volunteers will stay in large style canvas tents throughout the project, 'this is an off-grid, sustainable style living and project so do pre plan and bring warm clothes and items to sleep to in.
Rock farm will provide dry goods and fresh produce for two 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.

IMPORTANT: – Even in the British Summertime it can be VERY 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 even the summer can bring a rainy day. Volunteers will have access to two outdoor showers – these are outdoor showers, so you will need to bring flip-flops/sliders and a swimming costume – as these are carbon negative showers there will only be a certain amount of hot water per day – one of the tasks for the volunteers is to create the hot water system! Rock farm will provide a small furnished cabin in the camping area for use as a meeting and relaxing area. There are a four further buildings/cover for eating and cooking – including a pizza oven!

The farm operates mostly off-grid, so all toilets are composting loos and there is a limited amount of solar-power for basic 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

Volunteers will have cultural visits and leisure activities will be organised together with the group. Activities will include:

• Walk to local town Steyning
• Takeaway Pizza
• Games Night
• Visit to Brighton
• Farwell Party

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.

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 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 the whole feeling of the area and learn about living in the British culture.

Project hosted by

PROJECT: Rock Farm is a therapeutic growing project
open to everyone, restoring both the landscape and people through an innovative market garden model. We grow fruit and vegetables using regenerative, permaculture, and no dig principles, with absolutely zero pesticides or herbicides. We are 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 our sustainability and therapeutic curricula. 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. Rock Farm grows produce on six 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

To be confirmed by Concordia

Additional comments

ACCESSBILITY: Volunteers need to be able to work outdoors in various types of weather, walking on uneven ground is required. Parental consent is required for this teenage project.

Requirements

ACCESSBILITY: Volunteers need to be able to work outdoors in various types of weather, walking on uneven ground is required.

Great Britain Great Britain: BUDDHAFIELD FESTIVAL 2025 (VAP UK-02)

Dates

09/07/2025   -   24/07/2025

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Festival

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 90 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

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 minimize 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.

VAP/IVS 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. During set-up and take-down there will be organised events around Buddhist themes, attendance at which is completely voluntary. There are generally also alternatives such as spontaneous musical gatherings, often around a fire. They will also have someone on site who is their direct contact for support and pastoral care. They will meet as a group together each day.

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

The Buddhafield Festival is held over five days, on a beautiful site in the Blackdown Hills, in Somerset, England.

Project hosted by

BACKGROUND:
Buddhafield (www.buddhafield.com) is an English Buddhist collective that is part of the international Buddhist movement, the Triratna Buddhist Community (http://thebuddhistcentre.com). Buddhafield emerged out of the coming together of Buddhism and ecological awareness in the 1990s. Buddhafield is inspired by the ideal of living and working more simply and kindly in a community informed by awareness of our interconnections with each other and with nature. We run a programme of camping activities in the South West of England and own two beautiful pieces of land, which we are committed to managing sustainably and which we use for several events each year (not the Festival itself). We are perhaps best known for organising the much-loved Buddhafield Festival, now in its 23rd year, and for the Buddhafield Café, which provides vegan food at festivals like the Glastonbury Festival.
-----------------------------------------------------------
THE FESTIVAL:
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

TRAVEL TO BUDDHAFIELD:
The Festival site is in remote countryside, with only two buses per day going near the site.
A member of the Buddhafield team will meet people at the Taunton train station and help them get to the site. If you want to travel with a team member it is important that you arrive at Taunton train station not later than 16:45 on July 9th, where we will meet you at the upper exit by platform 2!
-------------------
Train:
The nearest station is Taunton. Journeys take about 2 hours from London or Birmingham, 1 hour from Bristol and 30 minutes from Exeter.
-------------------
Coach (Bus):
Taunton is about 4 hours from London and 1 hour from Bristol. National Express run regular services to Taunton. See www.nationalexpress.com. If you come by coach you will need to allow 15 minutes to walk to the train station exit by platform 2.
--------------------
Local transport:
Once in Taunton, there are two buses per day which can drop you within 10 minutes walk of the Festival site. The bus stops are about 15 minutes walk from Taunton station and five minutes from the coach station.
----------------------
Departure:
The leaving day for International Volunteers will be Thursday 24th July. If you could try and arrange your travel from Taunton after 11am that would enable us to take you to the bus or train station.

Additional comments

HOSTING FEE:
Volunteers placed through VAP will be asked to pay a fee of £90 GBP upon arrival. VAP charges this fee as without it we would be virtually unable to organise any projects in the UK.
Volunteers placed through IVS will not need to pay a hosting fee as they have already contributed through the fee they paid to their sending organisation.
-------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: From 2025 onwards, all foreign national 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

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

Volunteers will be interviewed by VAP/IVS via zoom or whatsapp before they get the final acceptance in the project.

They are required to read the following two documents before the interview:

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

Code of Conduct (different to the Safeguarding document mentioned above): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AU1CdhHfXalFdndTj4XDRpDM2I_bL-y6GoMys6t2DxI/edit

Great Britain Great Britain: YMCA Fairthorne Manor (CONCUKMTV02-25)

Dates

26/07/2025   -   24/08/2025

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Sport
Children
Social
1
Place(s)
left
full for < 18

Already accepted volunteers from

Mexico

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 75 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
1
Still room for
1
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Southampton (SOU)
Nearest bus/train station
Nearest airport: Southampton – Eastleigh or London Gatwick. Nearest train stations: Botley Railway Station.

Work

Specifically Programmes and Festival support will support our school residential groups and the world famous Young Carers Festival.

VOLUNTEER WORK: Ensure all visitors to YMCA Fairthorne Manor have an experience that really embodies all of our 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 they will remember forever

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

VOLUNTEER WORK: Ensure all visitors to YMCA Fairthorne Manor have an experience that really embodies all of our 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 they will remember forever

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

Accomodation and food

ACCOMMODATION & FOOD: Accommodation is in tents with bedding provided. Food is ‘Canteen style’ with a limited choice but with a vegetarian option. Three meals a day are provided, which includes a cooked breakfast and / or cereals, lunch and a cooked evening meal. Meals are at set times.

IMPORTANT: – Even in the British Summertime it can be VERY 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 even the summer can bring a rainy day.

Location and leisure

LOCATION: YMCA Fairthorne encourage all volunteers to take the chance to get out and explore the UK. YMCA Fairthorne is situated just outside of Southampton and less than two hours from London with a local train station. Generally, our volunteers will receive 2 days off in every 7 so its easy to access many parts of the UK. Situated in a 94-acre land in Botley, it truly is a stunning landscape where volunteers can enjoy the nature. It is not too far away from 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: The 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 we welcome thousands of visitors to YMCA Fairthorne Manor’s 94 acre site on the south coast of England. Our site includes sweeping 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. Can you help add the sparkle to everything we do?

About the YMCA
The YMCA started in 1844 in London and has grown to become a worldwide organisation with 45 million members in 125 countries. The YMCA has adapted to the needs of today and works with all ages, races, religions and cultures. Each YMCA now operates on a local scale, delivering services that meet the needs of their local community, in keeping with the wider organisation’s values and aims. At YMCA Fairthorne Group, they are proud to be affiliated with the wider YMCA movement – the world’s largest and longest-running youth charity.

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.

Part of the YMCA Fairthorne Group, YMCA Fairthorne Manor, provides a wide range of programmes on-site, including high quality childcare for children aged 0-5yrs, school holiday Day-camps, residential programmes for groups, a fa

Directions to meeting point

SO30 2GH The host can arrange collection from the local station.

Requirements

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must request an application pack and send a completed VEF, two professional references, including one from their most recent school/ college or employer.

Zoom Interviews: will be arranged individually. After Zoom interview, if confirmed on the project, volunteers need to send a certificate of good conduct /police check from your home country.

UK VISA COSTS: All volunteers will need to apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker, please be aware that this has replaced the Tier 5 (T5) Charity Worker VISA. The application fee for this VISA is £298 and you can stay for up to 12 months. To apply for the Charity Workers VISA volunteers will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) this will be provided by Concordia at the cost of £25.

Great Britain Great Britain: Back Doune The Rabbit Hole Music Festival 2025 (VAP UK-03)

Dates

30/07/2025   -   05/08/2025

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Festival

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 90 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
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Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
20
Still room for
10 Male + 9 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
Glasgow (GLA)
Nearest bus/train station
Stirling

Work

The tasks will involve the physical construction and deconstruction of the
event, including painting signs, marking campsites, constructing roads, creating parking areas, providing catering, and more. On site induction and training will be provided. This induction will cover an overview of the organisation's ethics and the event plan. Additionally, a health and safety induction will be included.

Volunteering takes place throughout the day on-site, with breaks for lunch
and other refreshments. Volunteers will not be working continuously during the Festival, allowing them to enjoy the music and the sense of community at the event. Make the most of this beautiful experience!

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will camp on site together as a team. Each volunteer MUST BRING THEIR OWN TENT. While laundry facilities are not available, toilets and showers will be provided for all volunteers. The Festival will supply three meals per day, along with tea, coffee, juice, and plenty of drinking water, which will be readily accessible at all times.

Please note that there are no landlines on site, and mobile phone reception can be unreliable. Additionally, there is no Wi-Fi or computer access available. If a volunteer needs urgent access to a computer, they should consult their area supervisor.

Location and leisure

Cardross Estate, Cardross, Port of Menteith, By FK8 3JY, Stirlingshire,
Scotland. Google maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q2qKF5x9P4GZFaneA

Project hosted by

Back Doune the Rabbit Hole is a music festival nestled among the glorious ancient oak trees of the Stirlingshire countryside in Scotland. It returns this summer with an impressive line-up of global acts, national treasures, and emerging local talent. Immerse yourself in the magic of this intimate and independent music and arts festival, where the air will be alive with the sounds of captivating performances by many artists.
But there’s so much more than just music to enjoy! Engage your senses with an array of interactive workshops designed for all ages, where creativity knows no bounds. Explore arts and crafts activities that will inspire your artistic spirit, and savour the delicious offerings of local food and drinks that will delight your taste buds.

Directions to meeting point

The nearest train station to the event site is Stirling, which is easily accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Buses also travel to Stirling from Buchanan bus station. The Train and Bus Station are next to each other in Stirling.
To get to site volunteers must take the X10 Balfron bus from Stirling and get off at the Post Office in Arnprior FK8 3HA.

We anticipate collecting all volunteers on the 30th of July at the Post Office in Arnprior, FK8 3HA, to take them to the event site. Pre-organised collection times will be arranged.

Once the event is over, on the 5th of August, volunteers will be dropped back off at the Post Office in Arnprior.

Additional comments

Qualifications: Preferred interests include music events, culture, the outdoors, camping, cooking, environmental awareness, and community appreciation.
Preferred skills: physical labour (especially in the areas of décor, construction, joinery & carpentry), team-work, communication.

Requirements

IMPORTANT: From 2025 onwards all foreign national 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

VAP HOSTING FEE: Volunteers placed via VAP will need to pay a participation fee of £90 GBP. As it is not possible to collect the fee at the workcamp, volunteers applying will need to pay it to their sending organisation when they register. VAP will collect the fee from our partners and not directly from the volunteers.

Great Britain Great Britain: SUMMER AT THE OTHONA COMMUNITY (VAP UK-01)

Dates

09/08/2025   -   23/08/2025

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Manual Work

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 90 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
8
Still room for
3 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LGW)
Nearest bus/train station
Southminster

Work

During summer we 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.
The Othona Community is located at 100km northeast of London, approximately 3 hours by public transport.
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LEISURE: During the volunteers’ time there, there will be themed study weeks. Details of these events can be viewed on Othona's website when they become available (https://www.othonaessex.org.uk/).
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 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

They will be provided in the Information Sheet

Requirements

HOSTING FEE:
Volunteers placed through VAP will be asked to pay a fee of £90 GBP upon arrival. VAP charges this fee as without it we would be virtually unable to organise any projects in the UK.
Volunteers eventually placed through IVS will not need to pay a hosting fee as they have already contributed through the fee they paid to their sending organisation.

Great Britain Great Britain: Camphill Tigh A'Chomainn (CONCUKLTV01-25)

Dates

15/08/2025   -   14/09/2026

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Disabilities
Social
Manual Work

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 75 is to be paid after acceptance.

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

Details on the project

Age
18 - 25
Max number of volunteers
5
Still room for
2 Male + 3 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Aberdeen (ABZ)
Nearest bus/train station
Train: Aberdeen Station (then bus to Station Road East) Bus Stop: Station Road East

Work

Workshops: Our residents engage in meaningful daily work through two key workshops: gardening and crafting. Gardening: You’ll help maintain our garden in Peterculter, contribute to local garden upkeep, and tend to our kitchen gardens at Craigievar. This work connects residents to nature and fosters a sense of purpose through the process of nurturing food from seed to table.
Crafting: Located just a five-minute walk from our main house, the craft workshop is a hub of creativity, offering materials and opportunities to explore knitting, felting, painting, and more. You’ll support residents while developing your own creative skills.

Life in the Home: Our residents range in age from 18 to 60, each with unique support needs. You will: Provide assistance in line with individual support plans. Help residents maintain daily routines, including providing direct personal care and engaging in household chores.

Leisure Activities: We believe in leading full and joyful lives. You’ll support residents in enjoying activities such as: building skills in homemaking, cooking, and baking. Outings to cafes, restaurants, and shops. Day trips, holidays, or social events. Exercise activities like swimming, walking, cycling, or gym visits. Connecting and building relationships through shared experiences.

Festivals and Celebrations: Festivals, holidays, and birthdays are central to life at Tigh a’Chomainn, helping us connect with the rhythm of the year. As a Foundation Year Co-worker, you’ll play an active role in preparing for and celebrating these occasions, discovering new traditions and creating memorable experiences.

HOW YOU’LL GROW: Joining Tigh a’Chomainn is a unique vocational experience, offering:
• A meaningful long-term volunteering opportunity where you’ll become an integral part of our community.
• Real-life experience caring for and supporting adults with learning disabilities, gaining skills transferable to careers in medicine, social work, teaching, or other fields.
• Opportunities to participate in community and team meetings, share ideas, and develop personally and professionally.
• A chance to embrace a new adventure, whether on a gap year, career break, or seeking a change of environment.

WHAT WE PROVIDE: Training:
• Log of all your training and any certificates you have earned during your stay.
• Access to online training two weeks prior to your arrival to help you prepare.
• On-site induction and training upon arrival.
• Shadowing experienced co-workers until you feel confident in your role.
• Ongoing training, support and supervision opportunities throughout the year.
• A signed reference letter upon the completion of your placement, detailing the quality of your work and contributions during your placement.

Accomodation and food

Accommodation is on-site or a short walk away, depending on availability. It will be a private room equipped with a bed, storage, and Wi-Fi with access to a shared bathroom. There is access to laundry facilities.
All meals are provided, with access to larders and kitchens for personal meal preparation. You will be expected to eat at communally. There is access to our bike shed and opportunities to join community trips, outings and holidays.

POCKET MONEY AND ALLOWANCES: A monthly subsistence allowance of £200 is provided for personal expenses. All essential items, including meals, accommodation, and personal care items are available.

HOLIDAYS: Volunteers completing a 12-month placement will be entitled to 4 weeks of holiday leave.
For placements shorter than 12 months, holidays will be allocated on the basis of 1 week of leave for every 3 months of work.

Location and leisure

You can utilise the local medical centre, gym, cafes, bars, and restaurants. A convenient bus links to Aberdeen City Centre and is free for those under 22. We boast a beach with a dolphin gazing cafe, golf course, surfing and a small amusement park. Aberdeen offers an array of free attractions like museums, shows, botanical parks and galleries. The city also offers opportunities for vibrant nightlife, with a variety of cultural and social events to explore.

Project hosted by

Tigh a’Chomainn Camphill is a Scottish charity founded in 1987, dedicated to supporting adults with learning disabilities through the Camphill ethos. Our mission is to nurture a resilient and compassionate community committed to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. We believe every individual has a unique purpose, and we strive to empower them to live full and meaningful lives. As a Foundation Year Co-worker, you will play a vital role in upholding these values by supporting our residents in their daily routines, work, and leisure, with the guidance of our senior care and support team.

Directions to meeting point

Postcode AB14 0SB. Collection can be arranged by the project host.

Additional comments

We’re seeking individuals with a can-do attitude, a reasonable level of physical fitness, a genuine interest in helping others, and a conversational level of English. No previous experience is required—just a passion for making a difference and a willingness to grow alongside our community. We welcome applications from individuals aged 18 to 25 from Europe, Australia, North and South America, and East Asia. If you’re looking for a meaningful experience to grow as a person and make a positive impact, we encourage you to apply. A placement at Tigh a’Chomainn Camphill offers an unforgettable experience of living and working with purpose. If you’re ready for a meaningful adventure and the opportunity to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Requirements

All applicants must send on application a completed VEF and then will receive a Camphill application form.

Zoom Interviews: will be arranged individually.
After the Zoom interview, if confirmed on the project, applicants should send a certificate of good conduct police check from your home country and the names and contact details of 2 referees.

UK VISA COSTS: All Foundation Year Co-workers will need to apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker which offers a stay of up to 12 months. The application fee for this VISA is £298. To apply for the Charity Workers VISA, you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) which will be provided by Concordia at the cost of £25.

For the long-term placement of a year, you will have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which will cost £1035 this allows you to access the National Healthcare Service during your stay in the UK. You will be supported to sign up with a general practitioner (GP) upon your arrival to Tigh a’Chomainn.

Great Britain Great Britain: Rock Farm - Adult (CONCUKSTV04-25)

Dates

18/08/2025   -   25/08/2025

Feedback from 32 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Agricultural
Manual Work

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 480 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
20
Still room for
10 Male + 10 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LGW)
Nearest bus/train station
LOCATION: Rock Farm is based near Steyning, about 20 miles from Brighton.

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: Planting trees, growing vegetables, tree work. 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 & FOOD: Volunteers will stay in large style canvas tents throughout the project, 'this is an off-grid, sustainable style living and project so do pre plan and bring warm clothes and items to sleep to in.
Rock farm will provide dry goods and fresh produce for two 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.

IMPORTANT: – Even in the British Summertime it can be VERY 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 even the summer can bring a rainy day. Volunteers will have access to two outdoor showers – these are outdoor showers, so you will need to bring flip-flops/sliders and a swimming costume – as these are carbon negative showers there will only be a certain amount of hot water per day – one of the tasks for the volunteers is to create the hot water system! Rock farm will provide a small furnished cabin in the camping area for use as a meeting and relaxing area. There are a four further buildings/cover for eating and cooking – including a pizza oven!

The farm operates mostly off-grid, so all toilets are composting loos and there is a limited amount of solar-power for basic 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

Volunteers will plan cultural visits and leisure activities together with the group and the Concordia Leader. Activities might include:

• Walk to local town Steyning
• Takeaway Pizza
• Games Night
• Visit to Brighton
• Farwell Party

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 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 the whole feeling of the area and learn about living in the British culture.

Project hosted by

PROJECT: Rock Farm is a therapeutic growing project
open to everyone, restoring both the landscape and people through an innovative market garden model. We grow fruit and vegetables using regenerative, permaculture, and no dig principles, with absolutely zero pesticides or herbicides. We are 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 our sustainability and therapeutic curricula. 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. Rock Farm grows produce on six 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

To be confirmed by Concordia

Additional comments

ACCESSBILITY: Volunteers need to be able to work outdoors in various types of weather, walking on uneven ground is required.

Great Britain Great Britain: TARALOKA WOMEN'S BUDDHIST COMMUNITY AND RETREAT CENTRE (VAP UK-04)

Dates

01/09/2025   -   12/09/2025

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Study
Manual Work

Fee

Free i Fee is paid in two installments:

0 to be paid now.
GBP 90 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
16
Still room for
0 Male + 15 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
Birmingham (BHX)
Nearest bus/train station
Whitchurch (Shropshire)

Work

Taraloka hopes to give the volunteers the opportunity to experience living as a community and practising co-operation in living and working together. Women in Taraloka live and work as a specifically Buddhist community and are willing to share what it can look and feel like when living and working from ones deepest values.

They will offer the opportunity to learn new practical skills, develop life skills and build confidence through both. They will learn two fantastic meditation practices (which do not make anyone a Buddhist) but which can positively change your life. There will be the opportunity to learn more about Buddhism including ethics, ritual, study, question and answer and personal talks. Again, by attending any of this you are not making yourself Buddhist!

The work areas on the project will possibly involve maintenance, decorating and cleaning as well as learning to cook tasty and nutritious vegan meals for the group. In addition to these projects there may be some gardening and landscaping work. This is a work retreat and we are looking for physically fit and healthy women. We hope that the volunteers will have fun working together on these projects as well as meditating together, learning about Buddhism and living as a community.

We are offering this opportunity for our volunteers to experience a retreat environment as well as to give their time and energy. We suggest not using your mobile phones and other communication devices during this time. It can be really peaceful and liberating to disconnect from the digital world for a period. Friends and family will be able to contact you on our designated emergency number, should this be necessary during your stay.

We are having substantial building work in 2025 so therefore retreat conditions won’t be entirely as we would like as there will be some noise.

Accomodation and food

ACCOMMODATION:
The retreat centre is mostly level and all communal areas are on the ground floor, with some walk in showers and toilets. Rooms are shared with up to 4 people in a room. Taraloka provides all bedding and bed linen.
------------------------
FOOD:
Taraloka provides three well-balanced, nutritious and deliciously tasty vegan meals per day. You will have the chance to learn how to cook this wonderful vegan food while you are there. Please note the retreat centre is totally vegan, please do not bring any meat, fish, or dairy products with you.

Location and leisure

Close to Whitchurch, Shrewsbury (Shropshire), Wales near the border with England.

Project hosted by

Started in 1985, Taraloka is a Women’s Buddhist Community and Retreat Centre of the Triratna Buddhist Community set on the Welsh-Shropshire border. It was a run-down farm that has been gradually renovated, rebuilt and adapted over the years with the help of many different women with many different skills. The importance of providing a context for women in which the practice of meditation and Buddhism could be developed and deepened was a strong motivating factor for everyone who set up this centre. The name Taraloka means realm of Tara. Tara is an archetypal female figure representing the Enlightened qualities of Compassionate Action.

Today, the aim of Taraloka is the same. Women go there and explore what meditation can bring into their life; learn something about the relevance of Buddhist teaching to contemporary life; and experience themselves in a different setting to usual.

Directions to meeting point

They will be provided in the Information Sheet

Additional comments

NB: No alcohol or drugs on site please.
---------------------------

IMPORTANT: From 2025 onwards, all foreign national 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

SPECIAL REMARK: This is a women only work camp. Please add a motivation letter to your application form explaining the reason for your interest in applying for this specific project.

HOSTING FEE:
Volunteers placed through VAP will be asked to pay a fee of £90 GBP upon arrival. VAP charges this fee as without it we would be virtually unable to organise any projects in the UK.
Volunteers placed through IVS will not need to pay a hosting fee as they have already contributed through the fee they paid to their sending organisation.