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Great Britain Great Britain: Projects in Great Britain - Camphill (SDA 000)

Dates

01/04/2024   -   31/12/2024

Feedback from 193 volunteers

Tags

Disabilities
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 769 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 298 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 - 100
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
 
Great Britain Great Britain: Elderflower Fields Festival (CONCUKSTV01-24)

Dates

22/05/2024   -   29/05/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Festival
Manual Work
Art

Already accepted volunteers from

Kenya Italy Germany

Fee

USD 462 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 50 is to be paid after acceptance.

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

Details on the project

Age
18 - 70
Max number of volunteers
12
Still room for
4 Male + 3 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LGW)
Nearest bus/train station
East Grinstead Train Station
Map

Work

: Being part of our volunteer and stewarding team is an amazing opportunity to carry out some meaningful volunteering whilst also having the opportunity to enjoy all Elderflower Fields has to offer (for no cost!). You will be part of the amazing community which comes together to make the festival happen, many of whom come back year after year and will be on hand to show you the ropes. It is a hugely rewarding experience in which you will have an amazing time and make great friends.

Volunteers will be part of the field team – the eyes and ears of the festival. Volunteering in pairs, you will look after a specific area of the event and act as a contact point for the guests. Therefore, it is important that you have a good level of listening and speaking English! You may be answering questions, offering directions and helping people find their way around the site. After initial training and learning you will be able to identify if anything needs rectifying. You will be in contact with Event Control , reporting any incidents and feeding information to the public.

This is a fantastic volunteering opportunity for anyone interested in getting into event management with real on-the-ground responsibility at a large arts event. As you will arrive a few days before the festival begins there will be several tasks to get the site ‘festival ready’ and after the festival there will be jobs to revert the site back to its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will be camping at the site, in the ‘crew paddock’ area which is used by all festival crew. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IT CAN BE VERY COLD IN THE EVENINGS/NIGHT IN THE UK IN MAY, PLEASE PACK ACCORDINGLY AND BRING LOTS OF WARM CLOTHES AND LAYERS. Elderflower fields will provide the tents for volunteers, volunteers will have access to hot showers/hot water for the duration of the volunteering project. The Crew HQ is a sheltered area where volunteers are able to charge devices, rest and relax when not volunteering. There is a microwave and hot water urn at the Crew HQ, volunteers can bring any snacks/additional food they wish to consume during the festival – please be aware there is no oven and minimal fridge space, so non-perishable foods are advisable if you wish to bring anything additional.

Volunteers will be provided with three meals a day. Cereal, Tea and Coffee will be provided at the Crew HQ for breakfast. Volunteers will receive a £10 ‘voucher’ for both Lunch and Dinner which can be utilised at any of the available food vendors. Please take note that £10 is enough to get you a substantial meal, however there are some items which will cost more than £10, if you wish to pay the difference you can. On days where there is no festival, volunteers will be provided with a lunchtime sandwich and evening meal.

Please check the weather forecast here and pack accordingly - https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/u101fnncz#?nearestTo=TN22%20(United%20Kingdom)&date=2024-01-22

Location and leisure

Elderflower Fields is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – before the festival is running there will be lots of opportunities to explore and walk around the natural environment. During the festival you will have free time to enjoy and explore all the festival has to offer including music, food, activities and workshop, it really is amazing! You can look at last year's festival here - https://south.elderflowerfields.co.uk/2023-highlights-by-jakob/

Project hosted by

Elderflower Fields was born in 2012 out of a desire to create a new festival designed especially for families and kids. The festival sold over a thousand tickets and everyone loved it, the sun was shining, kids played and people danced. The festival was so popular that it happened again in 2013 and then a new bigger venue in 2014. Pippingford Park is set in an Area of Outstanding natural beauty. The host intentionally keeps Elderflower Fields small – this is part of what makes it such a safe and special festival. Designed especially for those with young children as an opportunity for little festival first timers to dip their toes into a magical world of music, fun and nature. Families return year after year for a weekend filled with new experiences, exploration and celebration.
Elderflower Fields is an independent festival, created by So Sussex and put together by a small but hardworking time to create a magical experience for their audience. The rest of the festival is made up of friends, family and amazing volunteers – hopefully including you!

Directions to meeting point

Meet at East Grinstead Train Station where a Concordia UK employee or Taxi will take you to site.

Requirements

Volunteers need to send motivation letter and will have a brief chat with the host about the project.
ACCESSIBILITY: Volunteers need to be able to work outdoors in various types of weather, walking on uneven ground is required.

Great Britain Great Britain: Green & Away - Sustainable Eco Festival General Internship (CONCUKMTV03-24)

Dates

10/06/2024   -   16/08/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Social
Festival

Already accepted volunteers from

Colombia

Fee

USD 462 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 50 is to be paid after acceptance.

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

Details on the project

Age
18 - 70
Max number of volunteers
7
Still room for
4 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
Birmingham (BHX)
Nearest bus/train station
Birmingham International Airport. Nearest train station: Worcester There is a regular bus service from Worcester city centre to the village (4 miles/7 km).
Map

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:

1. Writing a strategy for the charity
2. Designing and maintaining educational boards and signs
3. Doing a carbon footprint analysis
4. Helping with the social media
5. 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 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:

1. Catering & Sustainable food
2. Hospitality and ecotourism
3. Technical and maintenance
4. Office and project management
5. Eco Event Management

Accomodation and 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 WiFi 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).

Although Green & Away is set up on the outskirts of a small village near Worcester, the nearest shop and post office is two miles away.

Location and leisure

The site is situated close to a small village which has some small activities going on, the site 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 site. The nearest hospital is 9 miles away.

NEAREST AIRPORT: Birmingham International Airport. Nearest train station: Worcester There is a regular bus service from Worcester city centre to the village (4 miles/7 km).

Project hosted by

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 it 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 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 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.

Directions to meeting point

Directions will be sent out after acceptance on to project.

Additional comments

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.

Requirements

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.

EXTRAFEE £50 (GBP) - A small contribution to Concordia’s administration fees. 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*.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS
For Green and Away it is really important the volunteer understands what we are about (environmental charity, not a music festival! etc.) and the circumstances of the facilities (outdoor showers, 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.

Great Britain Great Britain: CONCUKSTV03-24 Green and Away Festival (CONCUKSTV03-24)

Dates

13/06/2024   -   27/06/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Social
Festival

Fee

USD 462 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 50 is to be paid after acceptance.

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

Details on the project

Age
18 - 70
Max number of volunteers
6
Still room for
3 Male + 3 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
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).
Map

Work

The host is looking for people who like working hard, having fun, and being part of a community to get involved. At Green & Away the host lives in a comfortable outdoor venue as a community of up to 30 volunteers working together to look after the temporary summer home, taking turns to cook meals, and keeping the site running alongside hosting events. The type of activities you will be involved in depends on which phase of Green and Away you join (there are three) and this may involve putting up large marquees, housekeeping of tents or catering large events (there will be more volunteering, these are just examples. This is an ongoing project with several starting dates. In your application, make sure to add which date you would like to start your 2 weeks project. You can apply for several 2-week periods in the same application

You will be supported and encouraged to be involved in whatever you feel most comfortable doing, and the host always supports and appreciates new ideas and feedback – Green & Away is a place to share and learn new skills. The host warmly welcomes and encourages individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, abilities, ages, religions, and orientations to join the Green & Away project.

Setup Phase: Each year we build the venue from scratch. The tasks during setup are hard but very rewarding work as you will arrive at an empty field and have the satisfaction of watching and helping the tented village circle take form each day! Basic facilities such as kitchen, showers and toilets will be ready when you arrive.

Setup takes two weeks where we erect large tents such as the kitchen and bar marquee, set up and furnish the smaller accommodation tents for paying guests and put in place essential things like plumbing and electrics., and erect the cafe, sitting room yurt, and main marquee tent amongst others. Once the structures are built, they are furnished with seating, equipment, decorations and many flowers and bunting as a finishing touch.

Setup is a time of team spirit, learning diverse new skills from how the pulley system on a canvas marquee works, how to build a traditional yurt, how to do an alpine butterfly knot, install our infrastructure such as plumbing or solar powered electrics, and looking great in steel cap boots!

Accomodation and food

The host is an outdoor venue and campsite so all accommodation is tented – this is for all volunteers as well as guests will be in tents. Green & Away will provide you with a space in a tent with a camp bed, sleeping bag, pillow and blanket – IT IS STILL COLD AT NIGHT DURING UK SUMMERTIME, PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING ENOUGH WARM CLOTHES.

All food is provided (3 meals a day, regular tea breaks, with cake!). Meals are vegetarian/vegan, organic, fresh and local when possible. IF you do have any specific dietary requirements, please let the host know in advance.

The site has an outdoor biomass-powered, wood cladded shower cubicles, composting toilets, drinking water taps, clothes washing facilities and a washing line. The host provides eco-friendly toiletries. All safety and volunteering equipment is provided by Green and Away.

Location and leisure

The site is situated close to a small village which has some small activities going on, the site 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 site. The nearest hospital is 9 miles away. You will get 2 days off of volunteering, days off are not the same each week, but rest will be assured to all volunteers.

The work at Green & Away is what brings us together, but there is also plenty of time for evening activities, revelling in music and laughter in our bar, swimming, playing games and enjoying an evening round the campfire. There is also opportunity for day trips to visit the local area, cultural visits or special days out like canoeing on your days off.

You are also invited to engage with our Education Wednesdays, where we spend an afternoon together learning from one another in a variety of ways through talks, workshops and discussions. If you have a skill or knowledge on a topic you would like to share with the group let us know!

Project hosted by

Green & Away is a registered educational charity, who organise, build and run a unique, tented sustainable venue – a temporary outdoor eco-village, situated on the banks of the River Teme, in lush Countryside overlooked by the Malvern Hulls in the West of England.

Every summer since 1990, many volunteers from all different walks of life and all over the world have come together to create a beautiful space for events, connection to the outdoors, community and learning – and we are very excited to welcome you!

Directions to meeting point

Travel information guide will be shared closer to the time.

Additional comments

For Green and Away it is really important the volunteer understands what we are about (environmental charity, not a music festival! etc.) and the circumstances of the facilities (outdoor showers, camping). Green & Away need volunteers to have a good level of English (B2) 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.

Requirements

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY The host may reach out to you to establish levels of English, you will receive an email if successful. A conversational level of B2 is necessary to understand safety instructions.

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

Great Britain Great Britain: CONCUKSTV03-24A - Green and Away 2 - Events Phase - Multiple dates! (CONCUKSTV03-24A)

Dates

24/06/2024   -   05/08/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Social
Festival

Already accepted volunteers from

France Turkey

Fee

USD 462 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 50 is to be paid after acceptance.

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

Details on the project

Age
18 - 70
Max number of volunteers
6
Still room for
2 Male + 2 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).
Map

Work

The host is looking for people who like working hard, having fun, and being part of a community to get involved. At Green & Away the host lives in a comfortable outdoor venue as a community of up to 30 volunteers working together to look after the temporary summer home, taking turns to cook meals, and keeping the site running alongside hosting events. The type of activities you will be involved in depends on which phase of Green and Away you join (there are three) and this may involve putting up large marquees, housekeeping of tents or catering large events (there will be more volunteering, these are just examples.)

You will be supported and encouraged to be involved in whatever you feel most comfortable doing, and the host always supports and appreciates new ideas and feedback – Green & Away is a place to share and learn new skills. The host warmly welcomes and encourages individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, abilities, ages, religions, and orientations to join the Green & Away project.

Events Phase: Throughout the season we welcome different groups for whom we provide the venue and support in the smooth running of their events. Tasks involve welcoming guests and helping them settle in, cooking meals and baking bread and cakes, washing up, running the bar and cafe, cleaning the showers and toilets, chopping wood, and preparing the site for the next group (washing bedding, making beds, looking after the site).
Each event is different, and no day is the same at Green & Away. By working together as a team, we make even the washing up of over 200 plates a fun task, and you will have the opportunity of trying out different jobs and taking on new responsibilities and challenges! Between events, tasks turn to tidying up and working on different improvement projects which can vary over the years.

Accomodation and food

The host is an outdoor venue and campsite so all accommodation is tented – this is for all volunteers as well as guests will be in tents. Green & Away will provide you with a space in a tent with a camp bed, sleeping bag, pillow and blanket – IT IS STILL COLD AT NIGHT DURING UK SUMMERTIME, PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING ENOUGH WARM CLOTHES.

All food is provided (3 meals a day, regular tea breaks, with cake!). Meals are vegetarian/vegan, organic, fresh and local when possible. IF you do have any specific dietary requirements, please let the host know in advance.

The site has an outdoor biomass-powered, wood cladded shower cubicles, composting toilets, drinking water taps, clothes washing facilities and a washing line. The host provides eco-friendly toiletries. All safety and volunteering equipment is provided by Green and Away.

Location and leisure

The site is situated close to a small village which has some small activities going on, the site 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 site. The nearest hospital is 9 miles away. You will get 2 days off of volunteering, days off are not the same each week, but rest will be assured to all volunteers.

The work at Green & Away is what brings us together, but there is also plenty of time for evening activities, revelling in music and laughter in our bar, swimming, playing games and enjoying an evening round the campfire. There is also opportunity for day trips to visit the local area, cultural visits or special days out like canoeing on your days off.
You are also invited to engage with our Education Wednesdays, where we spend an afternoon together learning from one another in a variety of ways through talks, workshops and discussions. If you have a skill or knowledge on a topic you would like to share with the group let us know!

Project hosted by

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE: This is an ongoing project with several starting dates. In your application, make sure to add which date you would like to start your 2 weeks project. You can apply for several 2-week periods in the same application.

Green & Away is a registered educational charity, who organise, build and run a unique, tented sustainable venue – a temporary outdoor eco-village, situated on the banks of the River Teme, in lush Countryside overlooked by the Malvern Hulls in the West of England.

Every summer since 1990, many volunteers from all different walks of life and all over the world have come together to create a beautiful space for events, connection to the outdoors, community and learning – and we are very excited to welcome you!

Directions to meeting point

Directions to meeting point will be sent to volunteers in advance.

Additional comments

For Green and Away it is really important the volunteer understands what we are about (environmental charity, not a music festival! etc.) and the circumstances of the facilities (outdoor showers, camping). Green & Away need volunteers to have a good level of English (B2) 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.

Requirements

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY The host may reach out to you to establish levels of English, you will receive an email if successful. A conversational level of B2 is necessary to understand safety instructions.

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

Great Britain Great Britain: Concordia UK - International Leaders Programme (CONCUKSTV05-24)

Dates

01/07/2024   -   31/08/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Educational
Manual Work

Already accepted volunteers from

Spain

Fee

USD 400
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 65
Max number of volunteers
10
Still room for
5 Male + 3 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Access with disability
Yes
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
 

Work

As well as sending volunteers in the UK all over the world to take part in volunteer projects, we host international volunteers and UK volunteers on our national programme. Our UK projects allow both teens and adults to explore the UK whilst making a difference. Each project is created in close partnership with charitable organisations who's first priority, like ours, is to improve the lives of others.



YOU WILL GET TO CHOOSE A PROJECT YOU COORDINATE, YOU WILL NOT COORDINATE THE WHOLE TIME, PROJECTS USUALLY LAST A WEEK - YOU CAN COORDINATE MORE THAN ONE PROJECT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO MORE THAN ONE PROJECT YOU WILL HAVE TO ACCOMMODATE YOURSELF UNTIL THE SECOND PROJECT BEGINS. The types of projects you may be a leader on are:

• Supporting children’s play schemes and summer camps
• Helping to run festivals
• Working with adults and/or children with learning difficulties
• Carrying out environmental work in local parks and nature reserves
• Working at a animal sanctuary
• Supporting educational community farms
• Caring for the elderly

As a UK Coordinator, you will immerse yourself into the project and ensure the international volunteers joining the project will have a rewarding project.
ROLE OBJECTIVES
On most of our UK projects we need one or two experienced group coordinators to represent Concordia and help the project run smoothly. The coordinators act as a link between the host organisation, the international volunteers and Concordia. The Coordinators work alongside the volunteers and help the group to organise their day to day living and free time. They also manage a budget for food and social activities, to make sure the everyone gets their fair share of work and fun.

Most projects involve volunteers aged 18+, however coordinators could also lead groups of international volunteers aged 16-17 (teen projects).

• Ensure their safety
• Coordinate volunteering programme (with host) and leisure activities with the group
• Report any safeguarding concerns
• Support and run sessions, give feedback and create positive environments for young people

Coordinators are not responsible for the initial planning and organisation of the project as this is the responsibility of the host organisation prior to the project start.

DUTIES OF THE ROLE

To be part of an exciting programme that has tangible results for the young people involved. This role is demanding and fast-paced but highly rewarding.

Main duties:
• You will need to lead, inspire, and support a team of international volunteers
• Ensure programme content is delivered and understood by the group, acting as a facilitator for your team’s volunteering project
• Lead by example and get involved in leisure and volunteering activities, keeping the team motivated at all times

Accomodation and food

All projects vary in accommodation depending on which project you choose to coordinate. These will vary from University Accommodation to camping.
All international leaders will receive all meals free throughout the duration of the project. If you do more than one project, you will only receive food while on a Concordia project.

Location and leisure

The location will vary dependant on the types of project that you choose to do, Concordia can give you more information once you have chosen a project.

Project hosted by

Concordia is a charity based in Brighton, UK. Our mission is to support people to develop skills and gain experiences so that they can thrive. We run programmes that change lives and nurture global citizens who care about each other, their local communities and the world.

We are part of a global community – we work with partners and people from all over the world. All our projects are impactful - whether they are just up the road from us or on the other side of the world. We do this by working with local communities delivering programmes that respond to local needs.

Concordia was founded in 1943 to recruit volunteer labour to encourage peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of the Second World War. Since then, Concordia has supported around three-quarters of a million people to undertake incredible programmes that support local communities all over the world.

Additional comments

WHAT DO INTERNATIONAL LEADERS GAIN FROM THIS ROLE:
• Improve leadership and organisational skills
• Improve youth work skills on projects with volunteers under 18 years old
• Experience different cultures
• Get valuable experience in the local and UK volunteering sector and a reference from Concordia
• Get more opportunities for training and volunteering with Concordia in the UK and abroad
• Fulfil course criteria for relevant disciplines (for example, youth work, intercultural/international studies/organisational studies and more)
• Improve CV and future employability
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: All volunteers will get access to our Staff Skills Training database for continuous development training throughout their time with Concordia.

If you choose to apply for this for this international leaders programme, Concordia will invite you to an interview and you will have training with Concordia.

How to Apply: Apply through PLATO for an application pack or email max.bateman@concordia.org.uk

Great Britain Great Britain: Buddhafield Festival 2024 (VAP UK-02)

Dates

09/07/2024   -   25/07/2024

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Festival

Fee

USD 511 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 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
3 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LHR)
Nearest bus/train station
Taunton
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 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 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

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.
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Departure:
The leaving day for International Volunteers will be Thursday 25th 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.

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 22nd year, and for the Buddhafield Café, which provides vegan food at festivals like the Glastonbury Festival.
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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.
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Departure:
The leaving day for International Volunteers will be Thursday 25th 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

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 via zoom or whatsapp before they get the final acceptance in the project.

Requirements

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 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: Summer at The Othona Community (VAP UK-01)

Dates

13/07/2024   -   27/07/2024

Feedback from 12 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Manual Work
2
Place(s)
left

Already accepted volunteers from

France Spain + more

Fee

USD 511 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 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
8
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
London (LGW)
Nearest bus/train station
Southminster Train Station
Map

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 should bring tents and sleeping bags/mats.
Food will be healthy and home-made. Vegetarian diets can be catered for.

Location and leisure

The Othona Community is situated near Bradwell-on-Sea on the east coast of Essex, next to a nature reserve. It is 5 Km from the nearest village.

During the volunteers’ time there, there will be themed study weeks. Details of these events can be viewed on Othona's website https://www.othonaessex.org.uk/events-listing
Outside their work duties volunteers are encouraged to join in these activities.

Project hosted by

The Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea 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 multi-faith 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 Info Sheet

Great Britain Great Britain: CONCUKSTV03-24B - Green and Away - Take down phase! Multiple start dates (CONCUKSTV03-24B)

Dates

29/07/2024   -   15/08/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Environmental
Social
Festival

Already accepted volunteers from

Hungary Belgium

Fee

USD 462 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 50 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 - 70
Max number of volunteers
6
Still room for
3 Male + 1 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).
Map

Work

At the end of the season the entire site is deconstructed and packed away for the winter. Like setup, this involves a lot of manual labour and hard work but is a time when the team really comes together as we work to leave the field as we found it at the beginning of the summer.
We make sure that all structures are cleaned, dried and packed away. You’ll have the chance to see the behind the scenes of outdoor living and event infrastructure and take part in plenty of problem solving and logistics tasks. While the work can be quite physical, we find that because we are not hosting events anymore, we have more time for team activities such as fancy banquet dinners, dress-up parties or relaxing campfire evenings.
If it is something you want to have a go at, then takedown may be the phase for you! Please note that as we take structures down the facilities on the field will become more minimal (toilets and showers will be available till the end).

Accomodation and food

The host is an outdoor venue and campsite so all accommodation is tented – this is for all volunteers as well as guests will be in tents. Green & Away will provide you with a space in a tent with a camp bed, sleeping bag, pillow and blanket – IT IS STILL COLD AT NIGHT DURING UK SUMMERTIME, PLEASE ENSURE YOU BRING ENOUGH WARM CLOTHES.

All food is provided (3 meals a day, regular tea breaks, with cake!). Meals are vegetarian/vegan, organic, fresh and local when possible. IF you do have any specific dietary requirements, please let the host know in advance.

The site has an outdoor biomass-powered, wood cladded shower cubicles, composting toilets, drinking water taps, clothes washing facilities and a washing line. The host provides eco-friendly toiletries. All safety and volunteering equipment is provided by Green and Away.

Location and leisure

The site is situated close to a small village which has some small activities going on, the site 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 site. The nearest hospital is 9 miles away. You will get 2 days off of volunteering, days off are not the same each week, but rest will be assured to all volunteers.

The work at Green & Away is what brings us together, but there is also plenty of time for evening activities, revelling in music and laughter in our bar, swimming, playing games and enjoying an evening round the campfire. There is also opportunity for day trips to visit the local area, cultural visits or special days out like canoeing on your days off.
You are also invited to engage with our Education Wednesdays, where we spend an afternoon together learning from one another in a variety of ways through talks, workshops and discussions. If you have a skill or knowledge on a topic you would like to share with the group let us know!

Project hosted by

Green & Away is a registered educational charity, who organise, build and run a unique, tented sustainable venue – a temporary outdoor eco-village, situated on the banks of the River Teme, in lush Countryside overlooked by the Malvern Hulls in the West of England.

Every summer since 1990, many volunteers from all different walks of life and all over the world have come together to create a beautiful space for events, connection to the outdoors, community and learning – and we are very excited to welcome you!

You will be supported and encouraged to be involved in whatever you feel most comfortable doing, and the host always supports and appreciates new ideas and feedback – Green & Away is a place to share and learn new skills. The host warmly welcomes and encourages individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, abilities, ages, religions, and orientations to join the Green & Away project.

This is an ongoing project with several starting dates. In your application, make sure to add which date you would like to start your 2 weeks project. You can apply for several 2-week periods in the same application.

Directions to meeting point

A travel guide will be sent to the volunteer nearer the time

Additional comments

For Green and Away it is really important the volunteer understands what we are about (environmental charity, not a music festival! etc.) and the circumstances of the facilities (outdoor showers, camping). Green & Away need volunteers to have a good level of English (B2) 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.

Requirements

The host will reach out to you to establish levels of English, you will receive an email if successful. A conversational level of B2 is necessary to understand safety instructions.

Great Britain Great Britain: CONCUKSTV02B-24 - CAMP CRUSOE 2 (CONCUKSTV02B-24)

Dates

03/08/2024   -   17/08/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Children
Sport
1
Place(s)
left

Already accepted volunteers from

Germany

Fee

USD 462 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 50 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 - 25
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
1
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
Norwich (NWI)
Nearest bus/train station
Thetford Train Station - The nearest airport to Thetford is Norwich (NWI) Airport, other nearby airports include London Stansted (STN), London Luton (LTN), London Heathrow (LHR)and London Gatwick (LGW) (95.9 miles). The host is able to take you back to London on the last day of the project via a free coach service.
Map

Work

Volunteers will be part of an amazing ‘Camp counselling’ team where they will help shadow and learn the role of how to be part of an amazing Summer Camp team. Volunteers will help run games and activities with the young campers, making sure that they have a fun and memorable experience. Volunteers will also help to ensure that the camp is kept clean, tidy and safe by taking turns in cleaning the communal areas and making sure everything is running smoothly.

Volunteers will also have training and reading prior to the start of the camp to prepare for the role.

Accomodation and food

As well as the purpose built main house and the cabin glades, there is a vast number of exciting activities on site such as the climbing wall, zip line, archery range, challenge zone and caving system, plus areas to chill out such as the yurt, log barns and hammock sanctuary, and then many bike trails and easy river access for swimming, canoeing and Kayaking. An essential element of Summer Camp is the cabin experience.
Campers sleep in a number of secure and modern cabins, separated into two cabin glades by gender. Each cabin has 5 beds, with volunteer cabins integrated throughout each glade – staff will not be sharing with campers, but with other volunteers. There is outdoor ablutions block very nearby with loos and hot showers but also girls and boys facilities in the main house.

All meals are provided by kitchen staff, if you have any dietary requirements please let Concordia know in advance.

Location and leisure

Camp Crusoe’s home for the summer is the absolutely fantastic Thorpe Woodlands Adventure Centre just outside Thetford, Norfolk. Set in glorious private woodland. There is access to the beautiful Shadwell park, featuring rolling landscape, large fields and woodlands. Volunteers will be able to visit the Shadwell Gardens and pleasure grounds. It is a 10 minute drive from the site to the local town of Thetford where there is access to local restaurants, cafes and museums.

Project hosted by

Camp Crusoe is the quintessentially British Summer Camp experience, where campers feel connected, valued, challenged and supported. The host wants every camper to have a fun experience and believe that modern childhood is too short, and the host is passionate about ‘making the most of every moment’. Camp Crusoe is a fun and adventurous camp and not a summer school. Camp Crusoe prides themselves on being a small camp that cares, there are no more than 80 campers per two week stay; the host is passionate that community bonds are formed throughout their stay at camp and friendships that remain long after camp has finished.

The extensive program of activities from water sports to drama, archery to photography, appeals to every type of child, offering the opportunity for each camper to grow in confidence, improve their decision-making skills and maybe discover a new lifelong hobby. We don’t try to cram too much in and allow just the right amount of time for campers to hangout, make new friends and play together. Camp Crusoe is a small, independent camp run by a close-knit team of friends and family who are committed to enriching children’s lives. The core group have many years’ experiences working with children both on summer camps and in the classroom and are supported by a highly trained and motivated team of camp counsellors, many of whom have worked at camp before and are planning a career working with children.

Directions to meeting point

Meet at Thetford Train Station and the host will transport you to the final destination.

Additional comments

Volunteers MUST BE aged 18-25

Requirements

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY: Please fill in the VEF and provide police check and motivation letter.

AS THIS IS A LOW NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS, CONCORDIA WILL NOT BE PROVIDING A LEADER, HOWEVER YOU WILL HAVE A CAMP CRUSOE COORDINATOR ON SITE.

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

Great Britain Great Britain: CONCUKSTV06-24 - Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary Conservation (CONCUKSTV06-24)

Dates

01/09/2024   -   29/09/2024

Feedback from 26 volunteers

Tags

Animals
Environmental
Educational

Already accepted volunteers from

Germany Turkey

Fee

USD 462 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
GBP 50 is to be paid after acceptance.

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

Details on the project

Age
18 - 65
Max number of volunteers
6
Still room for
2 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Nearest airport
Bristol (BRS)
Nearest bus/train station
Looe Train Station
Map

Work

The host is looking for passionate, motivated and dedicated volunteers who have an interest in animal welfare and conservation. Work includes providing a high standard of care to monkey who have been rescued from the UK pet trade, allowing them to live in stable, enriching social groups.

Volunteers will spend the mornings helping clean the enclosures. In the afternoons, volunteers will be preparing monkey food bowls and learning to identify edible wild leaves to use to make enrichment items for the monkeys. Volunteers will be helping with daily tasks and general upkeeping, including cleaning, tidying, maintenance and gardening. When the site is open to the public, volunteers may help full time members of staff provide arts and crafts workshops to visiting children.

Volunteers will receive training on how to behave around monkeys, along with a general background regarding the UK Pet Trade and the impact of captivity on monkeys as well as training on how to prepare enclosures, food and enrichment for the monkeys – a truly once in a lifetime experience! It is important to note, volunteers will have no direct contact with the monkeys.

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will stay in single sex dorms with up to four other people on the site. Volunteers will either stay in a single bed or bunk bed. Volunteers need to bring their own towels, toiletries and sleeping bag. Pillows, pillow cases, a sheet for the mattress and a blanket are provided.

There is a fully accessible kitchen and pantry which volunteers will be able to utilise for meal times, food supplies will be provided for volunteers to prepare their own three meals a day (or cook together as a group it is lovely to cook and eat together!) and there is additional access for volunteers to store meat and fish free products. Volunteers will have access to a living room with a TV, board games, DVDs and an area to relaced. Optional evening entertainments are listed on the chalkboard. Volunteers will have access to showers, hot water and a washing machine and detergent. There is a specific drying room to dry clothes.

Uniform is provided, when necessary, on volunteering jobs. Volunteers will clean enclosures in PPE (overalls, boots and gloves) which are provided. Volunteers need to bring their own supply of face masks – washable ones are fine, to wear when in the Monkey Territory.

Location and leisure

The volunteers are based a 45-minute walk from the picturesque seaside town of Looe. Volunteers will stay at the sanctuary in Murrayton House, a 19th Century Building, which has beautiful views of the rising and setting sun, and wildlife gardens to relax in and enjoy.

Looe is the picturesque fishing harbour situated in South East Cornwall, just a further 45 minutes from the big city of Plymouth. Looe is famous for fish and a sandy beach with lots of shops, hikes, food and fun to be had! Looe has a rich history such as the famous Looe Bridge that joins the East and West towns. There are many hidden treasures in including beautiful woodland and cobbled streets lined with independent shops and restaurants.

Project hosted by

Wild Futures is a UK registered charity founded upon six decades of experience as a leader in the field of primate welfare and conservation, environmental education and sustainable practice. The host is committed to protecting primates and habitats worldwide, with the protection of non-human primates at the forefront of the charities work. The safe haven for monkeys rescued from situations of abuse and neglect is The Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall, which has an international reputation for its levels of care and innovative management techniques.

Directions to meeting point

There are two options for the incoming volunteers:

1. Volunteers fly into Bristol Airport. Volunteers will get the cross country to Bristol Temple Meads and then a train to Liskeard - this will take roughly 2 hours 40 minutes and is a direct train. Once volunteers arrive in Liskeard, they will need to take a train to Looe which is roughly 30 minutes. A Taxi will then be needed to wild Futures which is less than ten minutes.

2. If volunteers cannot arrive in to Bristol Airport, then Heathrow is needed. However this is a longer journey, Volunteers will need to get the National Express Bus (Book In Advance) to Liskeard and a train to Looe which takes approximately 6 hours. A Taxi will then be needed to wild Futures which is less than ten minutes.

Travel Costs: Option One: £60 Option Two: £50 These costs are rough estimates.

Additional comments

Concordia will work with the host and pre organise taxis to cover one journey to the venue and one journey back to the station on the final day. If the volunteer fails to reach the meeting point on time, they will need to organise their own final transportation to the venue.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL VOLUNTEERS HAVE 2 COVID VACCINATIONS.

Requirements

All Wild Futures need is enthusiasm, positivity and a person with a passion for animal welfare! PLEASE NOTE: this is a vegetarian centre, no meat or fish product are to be eaten, cooked or stored on side. Volunteers need to be fit and healthy to carry out the volunteering.

Volunteers need to be physically fit to carry out the work.