Doing substantial volunteer work in the field that you wish to work guarantees that you will develop the right skills and a better understanding of the ways in which the charity operates. An understanding of, and experience in, the sector will make you far more attractive to employers than qualifications. If you can’t volunteer full time, consider offering to work one day a week or during holidays. Also, becoming an active member of the charity will help develop sector knowledge and create opportunities for essential networking.

Volunteering will allow you to make new contacts and gain new skills. Take advantage of the many voluntary opportunities around. If you are prepared to give up your weekends to clear ponds, spend a fortnight a year helping with a conservation project, take part in a sponsored fund-raising event, or organise a recycling project, you will show an interest and commitment to the environment that extends way beyond what you have to do as a part of your syllabus.

Use you local community Volunteer Bureau, Council for Voluntary Service or go to the National Centre for Volunteering’s website at www.volunteering.org.uk

One of the largest practical conservation charity is the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), who offer one-day projects, working holidays, international community development work and short courses.

Once you have found something of interest, ring, write or email the organisation to find out more information about the position. Some organisations may want to interview you before accepting your services.

If you leave it until you begin to think about job applications, it may be too late. So try to show a long term commitment by getting involved as soon as possible.

Gap Year Voluntary Conservatory Organizations in UK

Blue Ventures - www.blueventures.co.uk
52 Avenue Road, London, N6 5DR England
T +44 (0) 208 341 9819 F +44 (0) 208 341 4821 E enquiries@blueventures.org

Changing Worlds (The Gap year Company) - www.changingworlds.co.uk
11 Doctors Lane, Chaldon, Surrey CR3 5AE England
T +44 (0) 1883 340 960 E welcome@changingworlds.co.uk

Coral Cay Conservation - www.coralcay.org
40-42 Osnaburgh Street, London, London NW1 3ND England
T +44 (0) 870 750 0668 F +44 (0) 870 750 0667 E info@coralcay.org

Earthwatch Institute - www.earthwatch.org
267 Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 7HT England
T +44 (0) 1865 318 838 F +44 (0) 1865 311383 E info@earthwatch.org.uk

Gap Activity Projects - Www.gap.org.uk
44 Queen’s Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 4BB England
T +44 (0) 118 959 4914 F +44 (0) 118 957 6634 E volunteer@gap.org.uk

Gap Guru - www.gapguru.com
1st Floor, Bankside House, West Mills, Newbury, RG14 5HP England
T +44 (0) 8000 32 33 50 F +44 (0) 1635 45596 E info@gapguru.com

Global Adventure Project - www.globaladventures.co.uk
38 Queens Gate, London, SW7 5HR United Kingdom
T +44 (0) 800 085 4197 F +44 (0) 207 7590 7444 E info@globaladventures.co.uk

Global Vision International - www.gvi.co.uk
Amwell Farm House, Nomansland, Wheathampstead, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 8EJ England
T +44 (0) 870 608 8898 F +44 (0) 870 609 2319 E info@gvi.co.uk

Greenforce Global Adventures - www.greenforce.org
11-15 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9BP England
T +44 (0) 20 7470 8888 F +44 (0) 207 379 0801 E info@greenforce.org

I to I - www.i-to-i.com
Woodside House, 261 Low Lane, Leeds, Yorkshire LS18 5NY England
T +44 (0) 870 333 2332 F +44 (0) 113 205 4619 E uk@i-to-i.com

Madadventurer - www.madventurer.com
The Old Casino, 1-4 Forth Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5HX England
T T: +44 (0) 845 121 1996 F F: +44 (0)191 269 9490 E team@madventurer.com

Raleigh International - www.raleighinternational.org
Raleigh House, 27 Parsons Green Lane, London, London SW6 4HZ England
T +44 (0) 20 7371 8585 F +44 (0) 20 7371 5852 E info@raleigh.org.uk

Worldwide Experience - www.worldwideexperience.com
Ashley Adams Travel (UK) Ltd, Guardian House, Borough Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2AE England
T +44 (0) 1483 860 560 F +44 (0) 1483 860 391 E info@worldwideexperience.com

The Year Out Group - www.yearoutgroup.org
Queensfield, 28 King’s Road, Easterton, Wiltshire SN10 4PX England
T +44 (0) 7980 395789 E info@yearoutgroup.org