Conservation
Many people now want to take part in voluntary conservation projects as part of their gap year, summer break or career break. There are thousands of conservation project opportunities out there so the first thing you need to decide is what type of conservation work you would like to do.
You don’t have to do a conservation project for a full year. Most gap year conservation organisations run voluntary conservation projects from a few weeks to a few months. The important thing is to decide which volunteering project is going to be right for you, so take a look at the organisations below who offer a wide range of year out or summer break placements working with wildlife and the environment.
Conservation
African Conservation Experience
We provide all ages with the opportunity to work alongside experienced zoologists, marine biologists, conservationists, wildlife vets and reserve managers. Whether you are working as a research assistant out in the field or caring for animals in a wildlife rehabilitation centre, you will be making a valuable contribution to conservation efforts in southern Africa.
Find out more Visit their website
Khaya Volunteer Projects
Volunteer and Gap year projects with wildlife and children in Africa
Find out more Visit their website
GreenFORCE
Specialising in exciting and rewarding gap year and career break expeditions
Find out more Visit their website
i-to-i Travel
Volunteer Abroad, Gap Year Travel and cultural adventures across the globe!
Find out more Visit their website
The Leap
Volunteering, Summer Gap and Internships in Africa, South America and Asia.
Find out more Visit their website
Earthwatch Institute
Work as a conservation volunteer with research teams worldwide
Find out more Visit their website
Projects Abroad
Fantastic gap year volunteering opportunities in 26 countries
Find out more Visit their website
A Broader View
Volunteer Abroad Work Social Welfare & Conservation Programs. 22 Countries 165 Projects
Wesser Limited
The Ultimate Gap Year – Let Wesser Pay For Your Gap Year!
Find out more Visit their website
GAP Colombia
Exciting volunteer, gap year, teaching, sport, conservation, and humanitarian projects in beautiful and vibrant Colombia. Passion Spirit Adventure!
International Volunteer HQ
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) provides safe and extremely affordable volunteer trips abroad. We have programs in over 18 different countries and send over 5000 volunteers abroad annually.
Find out more Visit their website
Maximo Nivel
Maximo Nivel offers month-long TEFL certification courses and a range of exciting volunteer & internship programs in Peru, Guatemala and Costa Rica. The best work/study, language and cultural programs in Latin America!
Why Use a Gap Year Organisation to find a Volunteer Placement?
There are hundreds of companies now that offer work placements overseas on a voluntary basis. Many of these companies are specialists in their fields and have been sending young people on gap years for a long time. Every company has different kinds of experiences on offer, and different approaches to voluntary placements. Some are large, with lots of different locations and programmes all over the world, others are small, and only work with one charity or one overseas community.So what are the benefits of going with a company rather than trying to organise a placement yourself?
Pluses:
The trip is organised for you.
You are able to work in a variety of places.
Organisations cover most career areas that you could be interested in.
You have the security of a British based organisation behind you.
Food and accommodation, and sometimes flights and excursions whilst there are often included.
You’ll feel a real part of the local community as you’ll be living away from home.
You will meet other people with similar interests and of a similar age.
There are no fixed rules as to how you spend your gap year. You could easily combine a conservation or community volunteer placement with working and travelling to fill your time out or just select one that fits in with your timescale. For example, why not earn money working in the UK in a generic role and gain key transferable skills, then use the money earned to either travel or do some career focused volunteer work abroad?
Gap year organisations offer placements or programmes in most employment sectors, including: Administration and Secretarial, Agriculture and Horticulture, Art and Creative, Business, Care, Children, Conservation, Construction, Engineering, Finance, Fundraising, Health, Heritage, Hospitality and Catering, Human Resources, Insurance, IT, Languages, Study abroad, Law, Marketing and Event Management, Media, PR, Retail, Sales, Science, Sports, Teaching and TEFL, Technology, Transport and Veterinary.
So why not choose a voluntary placement that will complement your CV and boost your career and university choices?
