Volunteering abroad

[HildaOgdensRollers]

My 15yo DC has expressed an interest in volunteering abroad in the summer holidays. Does anyone have any experience of how (or even if) this is possible?

TIA

Google "voluntourism".

They'd be better off doing some good in their own community, or indeed fundraising for a particular charity abroad. Absolutely no need to actually go there and get in the way. I understand it night be disappointing for your DC but if they are open enough to want to volunteer then hopefully they'll understand.

What Honeysucklejasmine said.

Fifteen year olds are generally useless as volunteers abroad. It’s usually little more than an expensive jolly. There will be plenty they can do at home that won’t cost you three grand and will actually benefit the local community.

Hi @HildaOgdensRollers I’ve looked into this for my 16 yr old. There’s very little I can find for him either solo under 18, there is opportunities as family though.
He wants to do an exchange also if possible, again very limited options until Uni.
I did find out that Rotary Club runs youth overseas exchange programmes (not sure of educational or volunteering) but haven’t got any further than that as my local office don’t reply to emails!

World Challenge?

If they're not into Scouting or Guiding which sometimes organises things abroad, I think more than likely you won't be able to find something for an unaccompanied 15 year old abroad.

The National Trust runs a few volunteering holidays in the U.K. for 16-18 year olds - see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/types-of-working-holiday
Also at 16 you have the option of NCS which includes an element of local volunteering usually in the final week of the three. It's only about £50 for a three week programme and is incredible value.

^ See wearencs.com/

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I think that we need to look into something local - I hadn’t actually thought of that so thanks for the suggestion.