• Home
• Host List
• The Exchange

• ---

• Volunteers
• - Information
• - FAQ
• - Registering

• ---

• Hosts
• - Information
• - FAQ
• - Registering

• ---

• Who we are
• Links

Why volunteer with Volunteering Spirit?

Volunteering with Volunteering Spirit gives you a great opportunity to meet wonderful people, learn new skills, have fun and help on some great projects. It allows you to prolong your stay, improving your knowledge of the local culture and its language, learning something about yourself and others.

How does the exchange work?

At its simplest hosts give volunteers accommodation and breakfast, lunch and dinner and in exchange volunteers work five hours a day. (See Q and A below) Of course there is the social, cultural, spiritual, learning, adventure and fun aspect of the exchange!
For a more in depth look at the exchange, go to The Exchange and make sure you look at the suggested agreement.

How many hours a day do I work for?

Most hosts do ask for 5 hours work a day on their profiles including a tea break. However, some do ask for a bit less or more but this is made clear in the host´s profile.

How long do volunteers stay for?

A visit of a week or two is usually arranged initially by telephone or e mail. Stays can be extended however if both parties wish to. Some volunteers end up staying for a number of months and friendships grow.

What type of accommodation can I expect?

Hosts have provided anything from tents to spare houses but it is usually a spare room. The important thing to stress is that volunteers should know the type of accommodation they will have before their arrival.

What about the food part?

Hosts provide the food as part of the exchange but the tasks of cooking and clearing up and the good old dishes are shared. Again the best thing is to let hosts know of any specific personal choices for example that you have a vegan diet.

What type of work can I expect to do?

Anything appropriate is the quick answer but hosts will always state what sort of tasks need carrying out in their profile page. It is always worth mentioning any skills you have as these can always be used.

Typical tasks are:

Gardening         Cleaning        Weeding        Tree planting
Childcare        Doing the school run        Shopping        General maintenance
Fencing        Office work        Help with building        Language tuition
Cooking       

Some more unusual tasks volunteers have done:

• Help setting up a festival in southern Spain
• Drive a car from London to Paris
• Help sail from Gibraltar to Tenerife
• Teaching a host to play the harp
• House and animal sitting
• Teach a host to meditate

Do I work with the Hosts?

Hosts will help you set up then after that it depends sometimes yes and sometimes no.

How do I register with Volunteering Spirit?

Click on to the link below, where you will be asked to provide some information about yourself. This is in mainly in tick box form for quickness.
Register here

How long does it take to become a member using the internet?

Within 24 hours. Once you have sent Volunteering Spirit your completed form to us which you can find at Registering for Volunteers. We will reply within 24 hours confirming your membership of Volunteering Spirit and you will receive a password giving you instant access to the complete list of all hosts.

Once I become a member on the internet how long before I can begin looking for hosts?

You can begin looking for hosts straight away just log in using your password.

What about insurance?

Nowadays almost all people travelling, volunteering or backpacking abroad take out insurance. At Volunteering Spirit we strongly recommend to volunteers they do take out their own personal insurance and recommend the company OV Europa which is a registered non-profit association which provides its members with a third party liability and personal accident, injury and illness insurance suited to volunteer work. There are many other companies, such as World Nomads.

You will find that most hosts will check to see if you have insurance when you contact them and will ask you to bring a copy of the policy with you.

How long does it take to find a host?

Some hosts are looking for volunteers straight away while others are arranging weeks or months in advance.

Are there any age restrictions?

You have to be at least 18 to be a member but you can travel with children. However you do need to mention this to the host when you make your initial enquiry.

What happens if things go wrong?

Very occasionally things do go wrong though a solution is usually always possible. Most problems are usually a result of misunderstandings as a result of insufficient communication and questions at the time of arranging the stay. For example always make sure you find out the distance from the nearest village, type of work you will be doing, etc. However talking things through should be enough to resolve the situation. As a last resort you are always free to leave of course, but do please email Volunteering Spirit explaining what happened and the host involved.

Can I take a dog?

This would only be possible with the host's permission.

Can I give feedback?

It is always useful to get both positive and negative feedback. We may not have time to reply to all mails personally, but what you say will be taken on board. It would great to get any photos especially if you don't mind us putting them on the site.
Contact Volunteering Spirit.