Who are the Volunteers?

Volunteers are as varied as people. They may be taking a year out of from work or university, on a gap year, retired or just on holiday in a country but wanting to have a more fulfilling visit. They might be travelling by themselves, with a volunteer, friend or family.

Volunteering Spirit has been set up for volunteers who wish to spend time with people from a variety of cultures, traditions and beliefs. They will assist hosts that need work doing in their homes, farms, community, ashram, Centre, or place of worship. Volunteers can choose where they would like to stay; possibly choosing a host with different beliefs and practices from their own, or may be choosing to share or develop ideas and pratices with a host who has similar ones.

Who are Hosts?

There are hosts living throughout the world living in very varied circumstances and keen to have help and meet new people. They may live on farms, in communities, run centres or live in their own home in a city, town or village. Hosts share the common need to have help with their projects. This could involve anything from gardening, cleaning, painting a room, to help setting up a festival or guitar tuition. Hosts are people who wish to have volunteers with varying and differing beliefs and practices. Hosts' beliefs may simply be personal beliefs or may be shared with other members of their community.

So the exchange between host and volunteer will be one of working and helping out, at the same time deepening understanding and maintaining respect for their own and other´s beliefs.

The Exchange

Go here to see how the exchange works.

The Five Easy Steps to becoming a Volunteer

1. Get an idea of the hosts by looking at the Host Preview page
2. Fill in our simple online application form
3. You will then be able to search through the hosts on the Volunteering Spirit website and begin arranging your stay
4. Within two working days your profile will appear on the website
5. You arrive at your hosts place on the agreed date and you are off!

Further information at FAQ's for Volunteers