Volunteering Overseas
The following NIDOS member organisations send volunteers overseas. Contact them directly to find out more about the placements and opportunities they offer:
Many of them have worked through the NIDOS International Volunteering Working Group, and together with other agencies including Tourism Concern and with the help of Kate Simpson, to develop a Code of Good Practice for International Volunteering. This Code has drawn heavily on the work of Comhlámh, an Irish agency which has developed a self-auditing system for Irish international volunteer sending agencies.
The Code was developed to improve the quality of volunteering opportunities and schemes, both for the host community and the volunteer, and we hope this Code will help to set a high standard in the sector through having an accredited kite mark scheme in the future. A steering group of organisations, including representatives from NIDOS, Tourism Concern, Volunteer Development Scotland and Comhlámh, and Kate Simpson, are working together to take this scheme forward.
Read the Code in pdf format here.
The code will be tested between August and September 2010. NIDOS encourages organisations to take part in the test - download the test self-assessment document here. For more information if you are based in Scotland, please contact NIDOS on info@nidos.org.uk or ring the office on 0131 243 2680.
Challenges Worldwide
Matches professional volunteers to short term organisational strengthening and change assignments in developing countries.
Edinburgh Global Partnerships
Edinburgh University based organisation sending student volunteers on short term placements.
International Voluntary Service
Aims to promote peace, justice and understanding between people and nations through voluntary work.
Link Community Development
Offers 'serviced' school partnerships and effective teacher placements, which impact on Southern school development as well as Northern development education.
Link Overseas Exchange
Volunteer programmes for 17 to 25 year-olds that put their skills and interests to practical use, enabling them to gain a greater awareness of issues in the developing world and to bring this understanding back to their communities in the UK.
SKIP Glasgow
Glasgow University based organisation sending medical and dental students on short term placements to Malawi.
Voluntary Service Overseas
Largest independent volunteer sending agency in the world, recruiting for placements in a wide range of sectors and countries. Volunteers work in partnership with colleagues and communities to share skills and learning and achieve positive change together.
The Vine Trust
The Vine Trust offers short term volunteering opportunities in Peru. For more information on joining a medical team or work party please see www.vinetrust.org. Volunteers will be helping to further our street children and medical projects .
Further Information
For further advice, guidance and details of specific overseas volunteering opportunities, we recommend the following resources:
Ethical Volunteering
Offers advice and information for people who are interested in international volunteering and want to make sure that what they do is of value to themselves and the people they work with.
Intervol
Whether you're looking for a career break or a new job, finishing school or university, wanting to develop your skills or to develop the world, challenging yourself or just making the most of a trip overseas - InterVol gives you the inspiration, information and impartial advice you need to discover your perfect volunteering opportunity overseas.
Who Works Where?
NIDOS members are currently working in all parts of the world. To find out details of who is working where, click on the map above, use our searchable database, or just browse our Member Directory.
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