Summer Volunteering Abroad

International volunteering offers you a chance to help support a cause you feel passionate about and can be a highly rewarding experience.

Think Pacific

Think Pacific Fiji offers volunteer programmes in partnership with the Fijian Ministry of Youth and Sports. Projects work with the rural communities of Fiji, where volunteers can inspire Fijian children through education, youth and sports activities. Leeds students can apply for a 4-week long volunteering placement with Think Pacific in Fiji.

The cost of the 4-week programme is £1,695. This includes:

  • Airport welcome by Think Pacific Expedition leaders (or resort meet and greet if you arrive early)

  • All in-country expedition travel

  • All project accommodation

  • All-inclusive briefing and orientation from a beautiful beach resort

  • All meals during your briefing, all meals whilst staying with your Fijian village family and breakfast and evening meals during your final days of R&R at glorious beach resorts

  • Guided weekend excursions such as rainforest treks, waterfall visits or snorkelling trips

  • Organised evening Fijian activities including kava ceremonies, lovo feasts, mat weaving

  • Think Pacific Leaders and Fijian Matanivanua guides living with you 24/7

  • Fiji Office & Extensive Fiji based staff team +  UK team offering 24/7 back up support

  • Highest standard of project planning, safety and risk assessments

  • Comprehensive pre-departure information, webinars and access to your private network app

  • Fiji expedition de-brief at a selection of beach resorts

  • Your project donation towards sustainable development goals in Fiji (which funds scholarships and training for local people, resources and materials to achieve local aims)

The application deadline is 28 March 2022. For more information on costs, dates and how to apply, please visit the Think Pacific website.

Please note that you may be eligible to receive Turing funding if you take part in this programme. The amount you may be eligible to receive will vary depending on the duration of the overseas programme and the destination. You may also be eligible to receive additional funding if you come from an underrepresented background or have additional needs.   

Gryphons Abroad

The Gryphons Abroad programme offers students the opportunity to be part of a life-changing sport development project in rural South Africa alongside Leeds Sport. The project engages young people in Kwa-Zulu Natal in a programme of education and sport (specifically cycling). The project has aspiration, cultural and global awareness and employability for both UK students and South African pupils at its heart and you’ll develop a range of skills which set you apart when you leave University.

Following a break due to Covid-19, the project will return for a period of 4 weeks in August 2023. The pilot project represents an exciting opportunity for students to be involved in the development and direction of the project as you join us right at the start of this journey. You’ll help us understand the strengths as well as the challenges of the pilot and feed into future project plans as part of your work. In partnership with Leeds Trinity University, The Bambisanani Partnership, KZN Department of Education, KZN Cycling and Durban University of Technology (DUT) we expect the 2023 project to consist of three key strands: cycling hubs, classroom engagement and cultural exchange.

To become team members, students are required to fundraise. The fundraising total is currently to be confirmed, but this will cover all costs associated with the trip along with a contribution to the project costs, for example the cost of setting up the cycling hub. Fundraising is a challenge in itself, but support is available to help you achieve this.

A group of people are looking at the camera. It is a sunny day

 

Eligibility criteria:

  • Open to all students studying any degree programme at any level (including finalists and postgraduates)

  • You must be available for the full duration of the programme as well as the training which runs in the lead up to the trip

  • You do not need previous experience of teaching, coaching, sport or cycling as full training will be provided

The application deadline for 2023 is 4 November 2022. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Gryphons Abroad programme website.

Please note that you may be eligible to receive Turing funding if you take part in this programme. The amount you may be eligible to receive will vary depending on the duration of the overseas programme and the destination. You may also be eligible to receive additional funding if you come from an underrepresented background or have additional needs.