Volunteer Wim Lancsweert and local colleague Heng Eak sit at a desk together, discussing plans for improving education system administration
VSO/Thomas Roos

Support whilst you volunteer

Keeping you safe, healthy and happy whilst you're volunteering with us.

Accommodation and allowances

If your placement involves relocating, we provide you with:

  • basic accommodation – you should be prepared to live in the same way as your local colleagues,
  • an allowance paid in the local currency, which will meet all reasonable living expenses, but is not enough to live an expat lifestyle or send money home,
  • at least three weeks’ annual leave.
A teacher at the whiteboard in a classroom
VSO/Paul Wambugu
You'll receive a detailed induction, so you'll feel confident when you start.

Induction

When you start your placement, you’ll take part in a detailed induction led by your local country office. This covers:

  • locally-important issues,
  • medical and security procedures,
  • language and cultural training,
  • meeting other local volunteers,
  • the specific objectives of your placement.

Your health and safety

The VSO country office is always there to help with any major personal, medical or security problems. They’ll provide you with emergency contact details, and will be on hand 24/7 in case of emergency.

Each country has an appointed medical adviser, and we’ll also give you details of recommended local doctors, clinics, dentists and pharmacies. If necessary, we’ll provide you with comprehensive medical insurance.

We’re constantly assessing security in each of the countries we work in, to ensure that our staff and volunteers come to no harm.

Our commitment to safeguarding

We are committed to ensuring that everyone’s experience of VSO is free from any form of abuse or exploitation. Anyone who comes into contact with any person associated with VSO should at all times feel safe and respected.

If at any point you have concerns or wish to talk to someone in confidence about a safeguarding issue, please contact your local office’s safeguarding officer or VSO’s lead safeguarding officer on +44 (0)207 1188 141 or safeguarding@vsoint.org.

At the end of your time volunteering

We'll be on hand to help you settle back into daily life, and will invite you to join our global network of former volunteers and supporters - so you can stay involved with VSO, wherever you are in the world.

Once you finish volunteering


Find out more

VSO volunteers in VSO Nepal's Sisters for sisters project

Before you start volunteering

Helping you get ready to volunteer with us.

Meet VSO in London

Once you've finished volunteering

When you finish volunteering with us, you'll find that you're part of a global community of VSO volunteers.

volunteer prepares to set up the disaster risk management committee (DRMC) signboard at Kyatkathone Village,Kyike Ma Yaw Township, Mon state, Myanmar
VSO/Nyan Zay Htet

Volunteering opportunities

Our current roles for expert volunteers in Africa and Asia.