Volunteer in England

An Oige
The Irish Youth Hostels Association makes use of voluntary assistant wardens in the summer months and has paid positions throughout the country at its 24 hostels. (See “Newsroom” section of website for hostels looking for caretakers.)

Contact: 61 Mountjoy St., Dublin 7, Ireland; 011-353-01-830-4555; mailbox@anoige.ie; www.anoige.ie/jobs.

Archaeology Abroad
Based out of University College London's Institute of Archaeology since 1972, Archaeology Abroad provides information about archaeological fieldwork opportunities through its twice-yearly publication. About 1,000 places are advertised annually for volunteers, professional staff and specialists on a wide variety of projects covering all historical periods (Review by Alison Gardner).

Contact: 31-34 Gordon Sq., London WC1H OPY, England, United Kingdom; Tel./fax 011-44-20-8537-0849, arch.abroad@ucl.ac.uk, www.britarch.ac.uk/archabroad.

Barretstown Gang Camp Fund
Positions for paid and volunteer activity leaders, summer carers, and drivers at residential therapeutic camp for children with serious illnesses and their families.

Contact: Barretstown Castle, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare, Ireland; 011-353-45-864115; fax. 011-353-45-864711; recruit@barretstown.org; www.barretstown.org.

BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers)
Organizes working breaks and conservation holidays throughout England for environmentally concerned volunteers. Weekend projects normally cost £60-£75 ($117-$138) and week-long projects cost £130-£160 ($255-$315) inclusive of food, accommodation, and training.

Contact: Sedum House, Mallard Way, Potteric Carr, Doncaster, DN4 8DB, U.K.; 011-44-1302-572244; fax.011-44-1302-311531; information@btcv.org.uk; www.btcv.org.

CSV (Community Service Volunteers)
Largest voluntary placement agency in the U.K. places volunteers in socially worthwhile projects alongside British volunteers from 4 months to a year. Volunteers receive pocket money of £30 a week. North American volunteers must apply via Alberta Overseas

Contact: Overseas Program, 5th Fl., Scala House, 36 Holloway Circus, Queensway, Birmingham B1 1EQ, U.K.; 011-44-800 374991; www.csv.org.uk/Volunteer/Full-time/Overseas+Volunteers.

i-to-i Volunteer Travel
Conservation Work in the Lake District
Britain ’s natural environment is prone to erosion as more and more people come to visit and appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of Britain. Volunteers are needed to preserve, repair and improve the rural and urban environment. Typical projects include footpath and trail construction, traditional ‘dry-stone’ wall construction, hedge laying, habitat management, pond and wetland management and tree planting.
Conservation Work in Yorkshire
Volunteers are needed to preserve, repair and improve the rural and urban environment. Typical projects include footpath and trail construction, traditional ‘dry-stone’ wall construction, hedge laying, habitat management, pond and wetland management and tree planting. The volunteer projects involve physically demanding yet equally rewarding labor and are great for people not shy of hard work.
Conservation Work in the West Country
Britain’s natural environment is prone to erosion as more and more people come to visit and appreciate the outstanding natural beauty of Britain. Volunteers are needed to preserve, repair and improve the rural and urban environment. Typical projects include footpath and trail construction, traditional ‘dry-stone’ wall construction, hedge laying, habitat management, pond and wetland management and tree planting. The volunteer projects involve physically demanding yet equally rewarding labor and are great for people not shy of hard work.

Contact: 190 East 9th Avenue, Suite 350, Denver, CO 80203, USA; Tel. 303-765-5325; usca@i-to-i.com, www.i-to-i.com.

Independent Living Alternatives
Volunteers needed for at least four months to provide support for people with disabilities to enable them to live independently in their own homes. Volunteers receive £63.50 ($125) per week plus free accommodation. Vacancies in the London area and the Lake District.

Contact: Trafalgar House, Grenville Pl., London NW7 3SA, U.K.; Tel./fax. 011-44-20-8906-9265; enquiry@ilanet.co.uk; www.ilanet.co.uk.

National Trust Working Holidays
Britain’s National Trust cares for more wildlife, including 1,250 vulnerable species, than any other European charity. It owns more than 240,000 hectares of land and 575 miles of coastline, making it the largest private landowner in Britain. A virtual army of staff and volunteers assist in managing these habitats with 450 well-organized holidays a year in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The catalog is online. Bookings from overseas volunteers between 18 and 70 are welcome and very inexpensive at about £60 per week, including food and hostel accommodations. Most older adults choose projects classified as Oak, Oak Plus, and Archaeological Holidays because they are less physically rigorous. (review by Alison Gardner).

Contact: P.O. Box 84, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1ZP, U.K.; 011-0870 429 2429; www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Orangutan Foundation International
There are only two islands in the world where the highly endangered orangutan can be found in the wild: Sumatra and Borneo. As the only organization dedicated solely to preservation of orangutans and their dwindling rainforest habitat, OFI offers a well-established study tour/volunteer program of frontline field experiences. Fifty to 60 percent of volunteer vacationers are older adults (review by Alison Gardner).

Contact: 4201 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 407, Los Angeles, CA 90010; 800-ORANGUTAN or 323-938-6046, fax 323-938-6047; ofi@orangutan.org, www.orangutan.org. British conservation tour operator, Discovery Initiatives, manages OFI volunteer travel programs; 011-44-0-20-7724 2912; info@orangutan.org.uk, www.orangutan.org.uk.

Service Civil International Workcamps SCI US
SCI is an exchange organization that sends volunteers on 2-3 week international work projects and long term 3-12 month opportunities in over 50 countries, including England. The $250 application fee covers lodging, meals, and minimal health insurance. SCI promotes voluntary service to impact social, environmental and humanitarian issues.

Contact: Service Civil International (SCI), 5505 Walnut Level Rd, Crozet, VA, 22932; Tel. 1-206-350-6585.
Email: sciivs.placement@gmail.com
Visit www.sci-ivs.org for an application.

Thistle Camps
Scottish counterpart of the National Trust (as above). Includes archaeological digs and trail building camps. One or two-week projects; fee from £50 for a week.

Contact: National Trust for Scotland, 28 Charlotte Sq., Edinburgh EH2 4ET, Scotland; 011-44-131-243-9470; conservationvolunteers@nts.org.uk, www.thistlecamps.org.uk.

Trees for Life
Volunteers needed to restore the native Caledonian Forest in Scotland. Participants are charged £90 for one week.

Contact: The Park, Findhorn Bay, Forres, Scotland IV36 3TZ; 011-44-1309-691292; trees@findhorn.org, www.treesforlife.org.uk.

Winant & Clayton Volunteers
Since 1948, has arranged for U.S. citizens to volunteer for 7 weeks during the summer in community social service agencies in Britain, followed by independent travel for 2 weeks.

Contact: 109 E. 50th St., New York, NY 10022; 212-378-0271, info@WinantClaytonVolunteer.org, www.winantclaytonvolunteer.org.