Volunteering abroad

Become a global citizen through volunteering

Royal Holloway Volunteering has a growing network of Volunteering Abroad organisations, giving students the opportunity to support excellent, ethical causes across the globe. Volunteering abroad can be a fantastic way of developing your skills and passions in a whole new environment, and Royal Holloway Volunteering only works with UK based organisations that behave in accordance with this ethos.

Royal Holloway Volunteering wants to ensure that volunteers are operating in a safe environment, and that the work done will be beneficial for volunteers and the communities they are working in. We do not engage in “voluntourism” or other practises that exploit volunteers or international communities.

The Turing Scheme

The Turing Scheme is funding that students can apply for to help cover some of the costs of volunteering abroad. You can find more information about the Turing Scheme on our website and and apply using our online form.

Why get involved?

For students

Volunteering Abroad is a great way of developing your skills while making an impact and exploring more of the world. Most of our volunteering opportunities take place over the summer break, meaning the time away will not impact your study schedule. Over the course of the year you may be required to fundraise for your trip, and our volunteering abroad partners are here to help you hit your targets.

For volunteering abroad organisations

: If you are interested in advertising your opportunities with Royal Holloway students, or forming a partnership with the Volunteering department, then you can sign up as a partner with us online

Please note that as part of our ongoing commitment to the ReThink: Orphanages campaign, we will not partner with organisations that promote, manage or support orphanage volunteering. We are also unable to support construction projects and initiatives. For legal reasons, we are unable to promote opportunities by organisations that are not associated with registered UK charities.

How can you get involved?

For students

Students interested in volunteering can find volunteering abroad opportunities offered by our current community partners by joining our online system.

For volunteer abroad organisations

Charities that wish to advertise their volunteering opportunities by becoming a community partner can register online. If you have any questions about the application process, please email volunteering@royalholloway.ac.uk

Who are our current partners?

Challenges Abroad

A long-time partner of Royal Holloway Volunteering, Challenges Abroad supports projects all over the world. Through Challenges Abroad students have visited educational projects in India, Thailand, Romania and Peru.

Think Pacific

Think Pacific is a UK charity that organises sport and education based trips to Fiji and Bali each year. Working closely with the Fijian government to ensure their projects are responsible and sustainable.

Play Action International

Play Action International is a UK charity that promotes the importance of play for all children, and work in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. They support the creation of playgrounds for children and schools.

Travelteer

Travelteer is a UK charity with opportunities in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Morocco. They specialise in animal welfare projects as well as education initiatives and mental health outreach.