United Kingdom

(This programme is not open to UK Nationals)

 

UK Gap Year! The United Kingdom is an amazingly diverse country. While it may be the centre of the English-speaking world, it welcomes new cultures, customs, and languages everyday. Ancient castles and cathedrals meet modern cities and towns in one of our most popular volunteering destinations. You’ll be making a difference in the lives of students, camp-goers, programme participants and residents with the rest of Europe at your doorstep!

Roles available:

There is a range of exciting roles you can choose from on your UK Gap Year.

Outdoor Camp Assistant

You will assist or lead children of all ages in group activities such as archery, abseiling, canoeing and orienteering. You can also gain qualifications in these activities. In the evening you might run sessions playing games, singing songs etc. You may also be asked to help with catering or maintenance.

School Assistant

You could be based in a city centre, a country town or a boarding school with extensive grounds in the countryside. Working in a boarding school is not a 9 – 5 job and you may sometimes have to work in the early morning or in the evening. Your duties may include getting boarders up, supervising going to bed, helping with after school activities, laundry, homework and weekend excursions. Other duties could involve helping in the school office as well as supporting pupils in the classroom.

Community Volunteer

Residential placements may be in respite centres for people with disabilities, residential homes or residences for the homeless. Most placements have adult residents. Volunteers may be expected to provide companionship, help with outings and various activities. All necessary training will be provided. Volunteers in the UK always find these placements to be particularly meaningful and rewarding.

What to expect:

Pre-departure

You will be assigned a member of Lattitude staff who is your go-to person to contact with any queries or questions. We will be here to match you to a specific placement, help you with fundraising, sponsor your Visa and assist you with your other preparations.

Arrival and Orientation

You will be met at London Heathrow airport by Lattitude staff and taken to our orientation location in central London. Once you arrive, you will spend the rest of the day acclimatising and getting over any jet-lag! Day 2 of orientation is full of workshops and sessions designed to prepare you for your placement in the UK, as well as to help you get to know Lattitude staff and fellow Lattitude volunteers. We will also take you on a walking tour of London’s most famous sights! On day 3, volunteers will all depart to their placements around the country.

Accommodation, food and allowance

Accommodation and food (or a food allowance) is provided by all UK placements. In some cases, especially with the outdoor education and community placements, there may be a small community of volunteers—so you’ll get to meet people from other countries and get an extra dose of culture. Accommodation varies from placement to placement but usually it will be on-site at a school/ activity centre or in a shared house or flat.

Food arrangements will also vary considerably between placements ranging from self-catering to meals with students or residents.

All UK placements provide a volunteer allowance to reimburse towards the costs incurred in taking up a Lattitude placement. Most volunteers use some of their allowance to travel in their free time.

Free time & travel:

Although your volunteering placement is the main reason for your stay in the UK, we encourage you to make the most of your free time by travelling and exploring the UK and the rest of Europe. With the efficient and accessible public transport system in the UK, you are able to discover towns and cities such as Edinburgh, Oxford, Manchester and Brighton in a weekend with ease. For longer holidays outside of the UK (to be agreed with by your placement host) the favourite destinations of Lattitude volunteers include: Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Prague, Budapest, Berlin and Venice!

 

Costs:

Lattitude Application Fee – £50

The application fee covers the cost of processing applications and conducting interviews.
All applicants are guaranteed an interview. This fee is non-refundable.

Lattitude Placement Fee:

EU nationals £2,450

Other nationals US$3450

 

What’s included?

• In depth matching process to align your skills and interests with a placement that really suits you
• Assigned Volunteer Coordinator to help with all your pre-departure information, advice and guidance
• Links with returned volunteers
• Relevant DBS/police check fees
• Pre-departure briefing
• Airport pickup on arrival and In-country orientation
• Part of country programme network of international Lattitude volunteers
• Day to day support from your placement host and a member of staff as your mentor
• Lattitude sponsored Tier 5 Charity Worker visa
• UK Sim card compatible with individual mobile phone
• UK bank account
• Accommodation and food (provided by your placement)
• Weekly allowance (provided by your placement)
• 24/7 support from Lattitude, including in-country support from the Lattitude Country Manager
• Focus on your personal volunteer learning and development
• Returned Volunteer follow up and Debrief Event
• Opportunity to join the Lattitude Alumni

Other costs

• International Flights
• Onward travel to placement (if applicable)
• Travel insurance
• Pocket Money for weekends/ holidays/post-placement travel
• Accommodation and food during holiday periods

Fundraising

As a charity we always recommend our volunteers fundraise to help meet the costs involved in volunteering overseas. In many ways it is part of the whole experience. For more information and fundraising ideas please click here

Placement Availability – 2021

Please contact [email protected] regarding availability for departure dates within the next 3 months to avoid disappointment