Blog

Watch how volunteer "Big Sisters," like Nirmala, are helping to ensure children in Nepal have the best start in life by highlighting the importance of education to their parents.

In 1958, Moira and Alec Dickenson recruited 16 youth volunteers to go to Borneo. This was the start of our journey. The one constant throughout our story is our focus on volunteering, though now our work is informed by the idea of active citizenship. 

Meet Dev Upadhyaya, a volunteer Learning Advisor working on a four-year education project targeting 60 schools in Nepal. The SIKAI project aims to address barriers faced by marginalised children in accessing primary education and help them successfully transition from childhood to adolescence.

Meet 26 year-old community volunteer Salma Rehmat from Afghanistan. Salma advocates for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan to access a quality education. Find out more.

Praveen Kumar Gurunath has been working with VSO for the past 18 years in various roles, and for the past five years as the Global Lead Advisor for Social Inclusion. Find out more about his experience at VSO.

In January 2024, Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland and former VSO volunteer, visited Camp Badre in Maguindanao del Norte, the Philippines. Hear his reflections from the trip.

In Nepal, more than one in four women experience gender-based violence. To mark International Women's Day, we’re sharing the stories of three women from a VSO project in Nepal, who are helping to end violence against women and girls.

Join us in celebrating five female achievements from VSO and beyond, that you might not have heard about...

Women are disproportionately represented in the informal workforce, with jobs ranging from domestic workers to street vendors to seasonal farmers. Investing in women in the informal workforce is not just about economic justice but also a strategic imperative for sustainable development.

One concept that holds back the journey towards inclusivity is Othering. While it is not a term often thrown around in everyday conversation, its impact on our societies can be profound and far-reaching.

Outstanding performances, inspiring guest speakers and heartfelt speeches from our fantastic volunteers, the  Volunteer Impact Awards had it all! Here are your highlights from the ceremony.

Alfred’s life turned upside down as his sight started to fade due to glaucoma – he lost his job as a teacher and his home. Now thanks to a VSO project he has a new career running a business employing three staff.  Read more.