Volunteer advice
Volunteer travel hints, tips & advice
Volunteering overseas is an amazing experience, but living and working in another country can be daunting.
With years of experience in placing individuals overseas, the Inspire Volunteering team is brimming with volunteer travel advice that will help to make the most of your time abroad. From mobile phones to money and visas to vaccinations, we can give you the advice you need to help you deal with every aspect of your voluntary work abroad.
For more general information about volunteering overseas please look through the rest of our site or visit our FAQ page. If you’re still unsure or need more specific volunteer advice, feel free to get in touch by ringing 08000 32 33 50 or emailing us at info@inspirevolunteer.co.uk.
Research your destination
- Research your destination thoroughly before you depart for your voluntary work. We will send you extensive briefing notes, but it is also advisable to buy a good guidebook and to look at the travel advice given by the Foreign Office (UK volunteers).
- Make sure that you’re aware of the laws and customs of the country where you’ll be volunteering. A little self-awareness and respect can go a long way towards integrating volunteers into host communities. Ultimately this will make your Inspire Volunteering experience much more rewarding.
Managing your money
- Online banking is a great way to manage your finances during voluntary work abroad. However, be aware that a reliable internet connection is not always readily available, so plan ahead for any important transactions.
- Make sure that you have some money in reserve in case of emergency. If you plan to use a credit or debit card it’s worth finding out the availability of cash machines in your location. Our best volunteer advice would be to carry money in a combination of cards, traveller’s cheques and cash.
Visas and vaccinations
- When it comes to vaccinations and medicines, planning early is essential. Visit your doctor well in advance, as some inoculations must be taken as a course and it is important to be fully protected throughout your volunteer travel.
- While your volunteer fee does not cover the cost of visas, we can give you all the information and advice you need to secure the correct documents and will help you register with your national embassy on arrival.
- If you’re planning on volunteering overseas in multiple of countries, make sure that your passport has plenty of blank pages and you are aware of visa processes for each destination.
Valuable and important documents
- Make photocopies of your passport, (including visa pages), insurance details and plane tickets and keep these in a separate bag. It’s also a good idea to leave copies of these with family/friends at home, along with an outline of your travel itinerary and contact details.
- We recommend that you keep your valuables out of sight as much as possible during your voluntary work abroad. Combination locks are a good way to secure your luggage and our in-country managers are always at hand to give advice regarding personal safety.
Keeping in touch
- If you intend to use your mobile phone while abroad, contact your network operator to find out what coverage is available in your destination. You may need to have your phone ‘unlocked’. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that you will be charged for any international calls you receive on your mobile.
- Participants on Inspire Volunteering programmes are likely to be staying in one location for several weeks or months, so it may be worth buying a cheap local mobile phone or a local SIM card for your UK mobile. This will make keeping in touch much cheaper but don’t forget to tell your friends and family back home that you have a new number!
- Special access codes are available for low cost dialling to most international destinations, so recommend these to your friends and family before your volunteer travel.
Food & drink
- It might sound like obvious volunteer advice, but be careful what you eat and drink. Try to make sure that the food you eat is freshly prepared and thoroughly cooked and drink bottled or purified water where appropriate. There’s nothing worse than being ill in the middle of your voluntary work!
- Many of our projects are based in hot climates where teaching and other activities can become really draining. Dehydration can make you irritable, tired and even ill so make sure you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated while volunteering overseas.
Taking a career break
- If you’re taking a career break and wish to return to your job after your volunteer travel, contact your employer as early as possible to discuss the possibility of treating your trip as a paid or unpaid sabbatical.
- Voluntary work abroad is an opportunity to develop a range of personal skills and you should emphasise to your employer how your career break will enhance your potential as an employee. Volunteers often return to work with greater motivation, energy and confidence and this can bring tangible benefits your company.
