For Volunteers
Volunteering Organisations
Humanitarian Charities List
If you would like to approach a charity directly you can find our recommended list of humanitarian charity partners HERE.
Volunteer Recruitment Sites
We have created a list of the top thirteen online platforms you can use to find voluntary roles.
Supporting Your Charity
This Fundraising Toolkit contains everything you need to know to run a successful fundraiser and support your favourite charity!
Volunteer Pack
Check out the Volunteer Welcome Pack for a complete overview of what to consider before accepting a placement, how to arrange your travels, useful resources and trainings to prepare for voluntary work in the humanitarian sector, and more!
Responsible Volunteering
- Responsible Volunteering is centred around the needs, preferences and aspirations of the recipient communities. It focuses on sustainable solutions rooted in collaboration between volunteers, organisations and those whom they support. Responsible volunteering nurtures the safety and wellbeing of all parties and acknowledges their inherent human worth. (Definition by Indigo Volunteers)
- How to choose the right placement for you:
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- Ask your charity for clarification of your role and responsibilities.
- Find out what training, resources and support will be available.
- Find out about the risks involved with the work and the location you will be visiting.
- Ask whether there is financial support with either accommodation or funding.
- Keep these 5 values in mind to make the most of your volunteering placement:
- Maximise your impact.
- Lead on your own learning.
- Stay flexible
- Communicate effectively
- Put your wellbeing first
Preparation & Support for your Placement
Research & Preparation
- Volunteering can mean entering operating environments you may not be familiar with and find challenging. This is nothing to worry about but it’s important to do research about the project and location you will volunteer at before your placement.
- Find online courses, books, movies, news channels, podcasts, and information about the refugee crisis and cultural norms you should be wary of on pages 7-14 of the Volunteer Welcome Pack.
- Spotlight Course: Safeguarding Essentials.
- Spotlight Course: InfoMigrants.
- Spotlight Movie: The Swimmers.
What to do Once Your Placement Starts
- Once your placement starts:
- Find out who your Volunteer Coordinator and direct supervisor will be.
- Find out who you should contact if you have a concern or are struggling.
- Find out if there is a Wellbeing Coordinator who you can contact if you’re feeling unwell, overwhelmed or struggling.
- Get details of the closest hospital and the local procedures to accessing healthcare.
- How to report concerns safely:
- Use this guide if you have concerns about your host organisation and would like to report any wrongdoing.
- For concerns or serious incidents, please follow the Safeguarding Reporting Pathway of Choose Love.
- Self-care & wellbeing whilst volunteering:
- You can access a network of pro bono wellbeing and mental health professionals & other resources before, during and after volunteering. Although the work you will be carrying out while volunteering can be rewarding, it can also be physically and emotionally demanding.
Coping After the End of Your Placement
We have put together this guide to help volunteers returning after a placement. You can find further support and resources on the archive’s Wellbeing page.
Logistics
What do I Need to Prepare?
- Check if a visa is required and apply for it in good time.
- Check that your budget sufficiently covers your volunteering period.
- Research if vaccinations are required and arrange them.
- Ensure you have an EHIC or GHIC (insurance) card to provide access to healthcare if travelling in EU countries.
- Share your travel plans with loved ones in case of emergency.
- Inform your bank/mobile provider of your travel plans.
- Make sure you travel with an adequate supply of any medication you need in case it is hard to access.
- Explore accommodation options with your host charity.
- Only book accommodation and flights once your placement is 100% confirmed.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list, but a guide to get your preparation started.
What Should my Budget be?
The Numbeo website is a helpful tool to gain an understanding of the living costs in different cities – we recommend that you work out a budget according to the location you will be volunteering in. When in doubt, the organisation you are joining may be able to provide some more details.
Documents and Visa
- Bring several photocopies of your passport, flight information, travel insurance policy and travel health/vaccine records (e.g. yellow fever, Covid-19 vaccination).
- If you require a visa, you will have to source this independently; most charities will not be able to help at all in any visa proceedings. Please note the waiting times when applying online.
- For UK residents, please consider the implications of Brexit. Travel in the EU is now limited to 3 months.
Insurance
- Depending on your existing coverage and on where you will travel, we suggest you purchase additional travel insurance.
- Be aware that the EHIC or GHIC card does not cover all scenarios and is not valid in all European countries. It is important to ensure you also have adequate travel insurance even when travelling in EU member states.
- Find more advice on selecting Insurance on page 19 of the Volunteer Welcome Pack.
Further Information
You can find more information on Accommodation, Flights, Health & Safety, and What to Pack in pages 17-22 of the Volunteer Welcome Pack. When in doubt, the organisation you are joining may be able to provide some more details.