We have organised our FAQs into sections below. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, please get in touch and we will be very happy to help.

BOOKING AND REQUIREMENTS 

How do I book to join a project?

Once you have chosen which project(s) you would like to join the next step is to complete our booking form. We will then be in touch to confirm everything and send you a link to pay the £200 GBP deposit to book your place. The deposit will be deducted from your total volunteering fee.

If you have any questions or would like some guidance finding the right project for you please contact us and we will be delighted to help!

Do I need any specific skills or experience?

When you arrive at the project overseas training will be given so it’s all about enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and get involved. If any specific experience is needed it will be detailed on our website project pages.

How far in advance should I book? 

We recommend booking as soon as you know which project you would like to join as many of our projects are very popular and get booked up several months in advance. We are able to accept bookings up to 2 years in advance. You can see availability and start dates on each project page on the Dates & Fees tab. 

Can you accept last minute applications?

Yes! As long as there is availability and enough time to make travel plans. In general it’s helpful to book at least 1 month in advance.

Can I join more than one project?

Yes, you can combine any of our projects to make an amazing volunteering trip of a lifetime! 

Can I use my volunteering trip for my DofE Gold Residential Award? 

Yes, Pod Volunteer is an Approved Activity Provider for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) and most of our trips can be used for the DofE Gold Residential Award, please see our DofE page for more details on which trips you can join. 

Can I use my volunteering placement towards my University or College credits or as part of my internship? 

Yes, many of our placements can be used towards University or College credits or placement hours or as part of my internship. Get in touch and we can check your specific course requirements and assist with any forms that may be needed by your course. 

Can I have a private room on my own? 

We understand that for some volunteers it's important to have their room and we have a great selection of projects where you have the option to stay in your own private room. You can choose from our projects listed here.

How old do I have to be to volunteer with Pod?    

The minimum age depends on the project – it’s generally 17/18 years old+ but we have some special trips for 16-17 year olds too. You can see all our under 18 project options here. All our projects accept volunteers who are 18 years or older. 

For our family volunteering projects you can see the minimum ages of children able to join here.

There is no maximum age limit to volunteer overseas with Pod. We highly value mature volunteers and the experience they bring.

How old do I need to be when you apply?

You can be any age when you apply as long as you meet the minimum age requirement on the date you would start the project. For example, you can apply when you are 16 years old for our 17+ projects, as long as you will be 17 when you join the project.

I am a solo traveller, can I volunteer?

Absolutely! Most of our volunteers are solo travellers. All our projects welcome solo volunteers, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people, volunteer together and make new friends!

Can I volunteer with a friend or partner?

Yes, we welcome friends / partners on to all our volunteer projects and it can be an amazing way to share the experience! For many of our projects it is also possible to share a room with a partner or friend - just let us know when you book and we can let you know your options. 

Can I volunteer with my family or children?

Yes, we have many volunteer projects that can accept families so please see our family volunteering page to find out the age requirements and further details on all our family trip options. We give a discount for family members under 18 joining with parent(s).

Are Pod Volunteer projects suitable for LGBTQ+ travellers?

Pod Volunteer welcomes LGBTQ+ travellers on all of our volunteer projects. We are conscious that attitudes around the world towards LGBTQ+ travellers vary significantly so some destinations may be more LGBTQ+ friendly than others. We provide advice and guidance for our LGBTQ+ volunteers here. 

I am from outside of the UK, can I volunteer?

Yes, we are very pleased to accept applications from all over the world. We are based in the UK but receive many non-UK volunteers, in particular from Europe, USA and Australia. 

Can I book as part of a group?

Yes, we are able to accept groups of volunteers and we give a discount for groups of 6+ participants. For more information on volunteering as a group please see our Groups page.

How can I hear from past volunteers?

You can read through volunteers experiences and reviews on our Project Pages, independent Reviews page and on our Facebook page.

Can I book if I have medical issues?

Pod Volunteer can accept volunteers with certain medical conditions but it is important that you are in good physical and mental health for a volunteering trip overseas. A few of our projects are in more challenging environments with limited local medical facilities so you should carefully consider the implications of travelling and volunteering overseas on your health. Please click here to read our medical policy.

Do I need a Criminal Records Check?

For our community projects, you will need a criminal records check. We will assist you in applying for your DBS in the UK, or an equivalent police check from other countries.

Can I volunteer if I have a criminal record?

Pod Volunteer treats all applicants fairly and does not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. Please click here to read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

How do I know that Pod Volunteer is a legitimate volunteer travel company?

Pod Volunteer was established in 2001 and has over 20 years of experience. Pod Volunteer is a member of Year Out Group, an association of leading gap year providers, and is an Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection for our customer payments. 

SAFETY AND SUPPORT

What support will I receive?

We pride ourselves on providing a strong support structure for volunteers. We are here to help you each step of your volunteering journey including a 24/7 number for emergency support. 

All our projects have local support staff who are there to assist you throughout your time and help you make the most of your volunteering.

What health and safety standards do you follow to keep volunteers safe?

Pod Volunteer takes the health and safety of our customers, our staff and local people seriously. We have a staged approach to managing the risks and health and safety implications that may be encountered in our locations and placements which is set out in our health and safety policy. We use BS 8848 (the British Standard for organising and managing visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities outside the UK) as the foundation for our operational procedures.

Will I receive detailed information about the trip?

Yes, as soon as you have sent your booking form you will receive a Guide covering all the preparations needed for your trip. We give you all the information up front to help you decide if it’s the right project for you.

Will I receive any training for the volunteer placement?

You will receive an induction and any role specific training during your first few days at the project.

Is there someone I can contact 24/7?

Yes, there are local staff at the projects who are contactable if there is a problem, as well as ongoing support from our dedicated Pod UK team. Prior to departure you will be given a Travel Document which includes contact details so you can reach us 24/7.

Can I get a certificate or a reference from Pod Volunteer after I have completed my trip? 

Yes, we are very happy to provide these for all our volunteers, just ask once you have finished your trip and we can send you one! 

COSTS AND PAYMENT

How much will it cost and what is included?

Our project fees are detailed on the Dates & Fees tab of each of our project pages as well as a list of what is and isn’t included. Our fees don’t include flights, travel insurance, vaccinations and personal spending. 

Pod Volunteer is run on a non-profit basis so fee levels are set to match costs and we keep these as low as we can to ensure that the opportunities we offer are available to as many people as possible.

Why do I pay to be a volunteer?

The organisations we work overseas with do not have any budget to cover volunteer costs and are often struggling to fund their work, so it is very important that the cost of supporting volunteers is covered and doesn’t jeopardise their sustainability or limit their ability to carry out their charitable aims.

Pod Volunteer’s only source of income is volunteer fees so without charging a fee we would not be able to exist in order to support the projects we work with. We charge a fee to volunteers for all our trips in order to cover the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK. For a breakdown of our costs and more details please see our Where The Money Goes page.

We keep our costs to a minimum whilst ensuring we meet and exceed the standards that are required of us as a leading UK based volunteering organisation.

Are there any discounts available?

We are able to offer a discount if you have volunteered with us before, are in a group or, for certain projects, volunteering with children under 18 years old. 

Can I fundraise towards the costs of my placement?

Yes, we encourage volunteers to fundraise towards their costs if they would like to. 

When do I have to pay a deposit and when is the balance due?

We ask for a deposit to secure your place. The deposit is £200 per project per person and comes off the price of the project (it is not an additional payment). The balance of payment is required 2 months before your project start date.

Is the deposit refundable?

In the unlikely event we are unable to offer you a trip on the dates you have selected when booking, then your deposit will be refunded in full. If you choose to not go ahead with a trip at any stage after paying a deposit, this is treated as a cancellation and the deposit is non-refundable. Please see our Terms & Conditions above for more information.

Is my money safe and protected?

Yes, Pod Volunteer is a member of The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) which provides full financial protection for the money you have paid.

Can I claim back my tax on placement costs?

USA: Unfortunately US volunteers are not eligible to reclaim their contributions or out of pocket expenses since Pod Volunteer is not a qualified organisation for this purpose as it is defined as a “foreign organization” on the US IRS guidance Publication 526.

Canada: Unfortunately Canadian volunteers are not eligible to reclaim their contributions or out of pocket expenses because Pod Volunteer is not a “qualified donee” since we not a registered charity in Canada.

PLANNING YOUR TRAVEL AND VOLUNTEERING

How do I arrange flights?

Once your trip has been confirmed you can book your flights. We provide detailed guidance for your flights within our Guide. 

If booking through a travel agent you should check that they have scheduled airline failure insurance (SAFI). If you choose to book directly with an airline then we would recommend paying by credit card for added financial protection.

Can you arrange transfers from the airport to the project?

Yes, for all projects we can arrange a transfer to meet you at the airport and take you to your project base. You can see more details on the location tab of each project page. 

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is essential to ensure you are covered for any emergencies during your trip and Pod requires that all volunteers have suitable travel insurance that covers the activities you will be doing.

Do I need a visa?

Depending on the country, project and duration you will be travelling for, you may require a tourist or volunteering visa. We will send you a Guide which provides full details of the visa requirements and how to apply for a visa if needed.

Do I need any immunisations or anti-malarial medication?

You may require some immunisations and for a few African locations malaria medication may also be required. We will send you a Guide which provides full details of the current requirements.

You should arrange a visit to your doctor to receive the latest health advice and arrange immunisations. Make sure you inform your doctor that you will be volunteering and tell them the nature of your trip so they can advise you accordingly.

What accommodation is provided?

All of our trips include volunteer accommodation. Please see the individual project website pages for more details of accommodation and living arrangements.

I have special dietary requirements – will they be catered for? 

Vegetarian options can be provided at all of our projects. Please get in touch if you have any other food requirements or allergies and we’ll be able to advise you on the best options. 

What should I bring with me?

When you book to join a trip you will be sent a Guide which includes a full packing list of everything you should pack to bring with you. 

Do I need to speak fluent English? 

No, you do not need to speak fluent English in order to join a trip however you will need a good level of English to be able communicate with the local teams as English is the working language at all of our projects.  

Should I learn the local language before I go?

The projects team overseas will communicate with you in English. There is no requirement to speak the local language although it is always nice to learn a few phrases and locals will appreciative your efforts!

Can I travel before or after the placement?

Yes, this is a great way to see the country and we can help with suggestions of places to visit and things to do! We generally recommend travelling afterwards as this way you are more familiar with the country and you may also meet other volunteers to travel with.

POD VOLUNTEER

What is Pod Volunteer?

Pod Volunteer is an award winning non-profit organisation arranging ethical, inspiring and supported volunteering opportunities around the world since 2001.
How do you protect the people, animals and environments at the projects you work with?

We work in locations with vulnerable environments and sensitive communities. Our care for these places is the driving force behind us arranging trips for volunteers. For this reason we are extremely dedicated to ensuring that our impact is always positive, you can see our Responsible Travel page for how we manage this.  

How do you select and monitor your projects?

We have a careful and independent selection process, ensuring that we only work with sustainable, long term projects that we know personally and where there is a lasting, positive impact on the local communities. 

We ensure that every project we work with has a genuine role and strong support network for our volunteers. 

Does Pod Volunteer have any current job opportunities?

Please see our Jobs page for details of any current vacancies for roles in the UK office or overseas.

POD CHARITY

What is the Pod Charity?

Since 2001, Pod Volunteer has been providing volunteers to help at charitable projects around the world. The Pod Charity builds on this success by also providing financial assistance.

The projects we support are usually struggling to finance the charitable work they are doing so every penny makes a real difference. 

The Pod Charity was established in 2010 as a grant making body to support overseas projects and has already raised over £165,000!

How can I donate to or fundraise for the Pod Charity?

For all the details including how to fundraise and donate please see the Pod Charity page.