Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Gap year ideas/experiences for teen with no money?

29 replies

Ruffian · 14/02/2018 16:52

18 Year-old DS currently on a 'gap year' until September and has no real idea what to do with himself. He was heavily influenced into taking a gap year by his friend who announced that University was 'a con and a waste of time.' Ds is pretty shy, doesn't like to go outside his comfort zone, doesn't go out much. I can see what confidence he did have draining away. Sad

He has a virtually zero-hours job, very busy at xmas but since then just the minimum 6 hours so he's broke. I'm on a low wage so can't really help although I could probably borrow some money if there was something really good on offer.

Anyone got any suggestions of work experience or other things he could get involved in over the next 6 months?

OP posts:
strawberrysparkle · 14/02/2018 17:13

Voluntary work in a field he is interested in?

flissfloss65 · 14/02/2018 17:19

Would he like something like Camp America? I was an Arts Counsellor for two Summers and really grew in confidence.

You do have to put money towards it but a great experience. Nunavut and a few others also do similar. The camps start in May until end August and you can then travel for a few weeks.

flissfloss65 · 14/02/2018 17:20

*Buncac and a few others

Purplemond · 14/02/2018 17:21

If he is interested Eurocamp and canvas will probably still looking for couriers to go out and work on their sites, he could start in high season on just the one site or go earlier and be part of a montage team who set all the sites up ready, its a popular job for students, i dont think much experience is needed and they pay for your flight out their and accommodation is provided

Original poster
Ruffian · 14/02/2018 17:27

He's interested in film, photography, art - not sure there's much volunteer work going in those fields?

I could probably get the money together for that fliss but I know he wouldn't have the confidence to apply unfortunately. He's not very outdoorsy...

OP posts:
Original poster
Ruffian · 14/02/2018 17:29

He is good with people though. His job at Argos require a lot of patience and politeness!

OP posts:
Purplemond · 14/02/2018 17:31

i dont think you need much experience for Eurocamp, quite customer focused and good oportunities to meet new people

ForgivenessIsDivine · 14/02/2018 17:31

Does he have a place at university in September? What subject will he study?

GlitterGlue · 14/02/2018 17:33

Finding another job needs to be his priority.

The Princes Trust offer help with employment and confidence building. He may also be able to claim jsa or universal credit to top up his income and he'll then also be able to access support and training via the jobcentre.

Any young people's centres locally? We have a couple of organsisations which do an awful lot of art and music related projects on a shoestring.

If he can save some cash over the next few months he could do something before he goes to uni.

Original poster
Ruffian · 14/02/2018 17:34

Just had a look at Eurocamp, sounds quite good thanks purplemond

Yes he's got a place in September for Film Production degree

OP posts:
riledandharrassed · 14/02/2018 17:35

There are work for accommodation and board schemes abroad but I think he needs to be looking for opportunities which might give him some cash for the first few months of uni spending

Original poster
Ruffian · 14/02/2018 17:43

Agree he really needs a better job but it's very difficult round here, most of the jobs for his age are pretty awful and low-paid. Hopefully more people will be hiring as we come out of Winter.

OP posts:
GlitterGlue · 14/02/2018 21:32

Can he suck it up for a few months so he has the cash to do something fun in the summer?

He really should look into benefits if he's only on 6 hours a week. If nothing else he'll get some support with job hunting. Or he could head to the careers people who'll help him tart up his CV etc.

halfwitpicker · 14/02/2018 21:35

Temping?

thesandwich · 14/02/2018 21:36

Try the do-it website for local volunteering opportunities. What about arts festivals over the summer? National trust working holidays? Any local museums? Volunteer with a photographer?

LemonysSnicket · 14/02/2018 21:43

Most jobs for non grad 18yos are low paid and bad ?

clumsyduck · 14/02/2018 21:46

My cousin did a volunteer thing in Africa he absolutely loved it ! Helping the communities there with various things they needed it was specifically targeted for "poorer kids" who don't always get the chance to do that sort of thing . Would something like that be to far out his comfort zone ??

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 14/02/2018 21:54

Bro pair?

Fishinthesink · 14/02/2018 21:59

www.volunteerics.org

If he applied now he could be overseas by April. very inclusive.

mumstaxi2 · 14/02/2018 22:20

DS is also 18 and on a gap year before going to do a similar degree. He's been off to South East Asia for 4 months and during the trip he did a couple of placements volunteering in an English school & in a hostel. He did them through the workaway website - www.workaway.info/hostlist.html..
You can do this really cheaply as they usually provide accommodation & meals. You can usually see reviews from other workawayers who have spent time there which is very reassuring.
DS has just booked a flight to Prague to spend 4 weeks working in a ski resort in March. He doesn't have much money left but knows that he can live on very little - he will get board, 3 meals, ski pass & ski hire. So will just need money for the odd beer!
I realise your DS isn't so much into the outdoor stuff but just wanted to show that there are many different opportunities. Some people want help with computer/media stuff. For example I've seen hostels just want someone to make promotional videos. It's definitely worth spending some time looking - there are opportunities all over the world - including in this country if he doesn't want to go abroad. If he can find something that makes use of his skills it may help to boost his confidence. My DS is actually quite similar - not the most outgoing but going off travelling on his own has already made a big difference to his confidence.

I wish you luck in trying to guide him towards something fun & rewarding.

Original poster
Ruffian · 15/02/2018 18:04

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions. Smile

mumstaxi your ds sounds very independent for his age!

OP posts:
mumstaxi2 · 15/02/2018 22:22

Ruffian yes my DS has become very independent this last few months - he says that going off on his own was the best choice ever. He' s an August birthday and still looks very baby faced so I was worried about him being especially vulnerable on his own. He also admits now to being pretty scared when he first flew off but he soon adjusted to it. Of course it wasn't without its stresses. The main one a call on Christmas Day saying he had lost his bank card & his account had been locked and had no money. I'm now an expert in doing international bank transfers!

givemushypeasachance · 16/02/2018 14:30

Sounds like he'd suit a paid working "holiday" type situation - like going somewhere to teach English or working in a US summer camp. Check out websites like this for ideas you could moot to him, see if he's interested.

Mary21 · 16/02/2018 16:00

Angloville?
Was also going to suggest workaway
ICS www.volunteerics.org

Somewhereovertheroad · 16/02/2018 17:42

Does he want to go abroad or stay at home.

Dd has applied to volunteer for Riding for the disabled. You don't need to have experience with horses although you do need to like horses.