ABOUT WWH
ABOUT THE PROJECTS
TRAVEL, MEDICAL AND INSURANCE
ORGANISATIONS

ABOUT WWH

Why should I join WWH and not another organisation?

The main reason for joining WWH is the cost benefit to you and knowing that any money you spend goes only to the project on the ground.

WWH placements are all vetted on cost to ensure no organisation charges too much and we don't take a penny. We eliminate the middleman and put volunteers in direct contact with the organisations they will be working with.

What percentage of costs go to WWH?

Absolutely nothing! WWH charge neither the organisation posting the project, nor the volunteer looking for a worthwhile cause.

What sort people volunteer with WWH?

Anyone and Everyone!! We accept anybody as a WWH volunteer regardless of age, ability, race or religion.

Can WWH arrange a placement for me?

Unfortunately not. With thousands of volunteers and organisations using our services it would be too costly and time consuming to arrange individual placements. Besides which it goes against our ethos of putting the entire volunteering experience in your hands.

Does WWH pay for my flights?

No. All costs of transportation must be covered by the volunteer. If you can't afford to travel overseas make sure you check out whether there are any projects near you.

Do you need to be a certain age to volunteer with WWH?

There is no minimum or maximum age to volunteer through us, however some projects may require you to be of a certain age to participate in their work. They will include this requirement in their project details if it is the case. We would advise that if you are below the age of 18, you volunteer with an older friend/guardian

ABOUT THE PROJECTS

I've found a project I'm interested in, now what?

You will need to register as a WWH volunteer. This doesn't cost you a thing! It will simply give you access to the contact details of the organisations so that you can get in touch with them and start planning your trip. To register click on the tab in the left hand column that says 'Volunteers Register Here'.

Do I need any language skills?

Language requirements (if any) are specified on individual project profiles.

Can I volunteer with my family?

Absolutely! Many projects listed on our site allow families to volunteer with them. You simply need to contact the project you are interested in to see if they can accommodate you all.

Do I need any particular skills?

No, the fact that you want to help is enough for us. Some projects may require a a specific qualification in line with their placement (e.g. if they need a doctor, you will need to be a qualified doctor) but most just need more manpower. Skills required are also specified on the project profiles.

Why do some organisations charge while others don't?

Many organisations can afford to feed and accommodate you without additional costs to them, others can't. For many, volunteer placements provide a vital part of their income and help sustain the organisation, while others simply need manpower. It is totally dependent on the organisation.

Do I get paid?

No, all placements are voluntary.

Can more than one person go on the same placement?

Yes, as long as there is space at the project. Just check with the volunteer coordinator for the placement you are interested in. In general the more the merrier.

Do projects provide accommodation?

Many do, and if they don't they will assist you in finding you affordable accommodation near the project. Again all the details are available on the project profiles.

What if I can't commit to a long term project?

Many projects will be willing to negotiate shorter stays if you discuss it with them.

Can I cut my placement short or extend it?

Of course. If at any stage you want to leave a project you just need to let the project coordinator know. Similarly if you wish to extend your stay most organisations will be happy for you to do so. Should the organisation have any accommodation costs etc, they may be willing to negotiate a lower price.

Can I talk to returned volunteers?

Yes. If you are concerned about a placement you can contact the organisation you are interested in and ask them for the contact details for previous volunteers.

How can I be sure that organisations are reputable?

There are thousands of projects uploaded to our site and unfortunately we can't offer a guarantee for any of them. However, we would recommend that you do your due diligence. If the organisation has a website - check it out. Also, ask the organisation for details of previous volunteers and get in contact with them to learn from their experience and get any advice.

How far in advance do I need to apply?

As a rule, apply as early as possible, but most projects are ongoing. If projects have a set start and end date they will specify so in the project details.

TRAVEL, MEDICAL AND INSURANCE

How do I get to my placement?

You will be responsible for the main proportion of your travel whether by air, rail or other means. The organisations will usually arrange transfers to and from the airport/nearest town to your accommodation and project, but make sure you double-check before you go as you don't want to end up stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Do I need insurance?

We would strongly advise on always getting insurance before you travel. WWH is not responsible for any damage, loss of belongings, health problems etc during your placement.

Do I need a visa?

It depends on the country, your nationality and how long you plan to be there. www.embassiesabroad.com gives you a full list of embassies all over the world. It is important that you contact the relevant embassy for further information before you travel.

Do I need any immunisations or vaccines?

Many projects are in countries that will have some prominent diseases so it is important that you contact your doctor before you travel to ensure you have the relevant vaccines.

ORGANISATIONS

How do I register my organisation?

To register your project, simply click the 'Organisations Register Here' link in the left hand column of the homepage. You will need to fill in the form for your organisation and then submit this to Worldwide Helpers. Once our team have reviewed and approved your organisation you will be sent your username and password (make sure you check your spam/junk folder sometimes it gets misdirected).

What do I do once our organisation has been approved?

You can now login and start adding projects and photos which our team will again review. Once approved your projects will be active on our site and interested volunteers can contact you directly.

Do we have to pay to post our projects?

Nope, it is absolutely free. Once your organisation and projects have been reviewed and approved by our team they will be uploaded to our site.

Can we search for volunteers?

Not at this stage but in the near future you will be able to.

What benefits do I get from posting my projects on the Worldwide Helpers site?

Your organisation will be able to promote their projects to volunteers for free.