Volunteering in the UK

ICYE UK is a charity (charity number 1081907) working in the field of international volunteering, intercultural exchange and youth mobility. We are part of the ICYE International Federation which has over 60 years of experience.

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In the UK we work with different charities to provide full-time voluntary placements for international volunteers. We are always looking to expand the range of charities that we work with and to widen the impact of our work.

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ICYE volunteers come to the UK for 6 or 12 months and arrive in August/September and February of each year. We do not ask for specific skills from volunteers to take part in the programme just enthusiasm, flexibility and motivation to support the work of the project where they are placed. Our volunteers are aged 18 to 35, they come from all over the world and from a wide range of different backgrounds with different skills and interests. We take time to ensure that volunteers are matched to the right project and provide support throughout the placement to both the volunteer and to the host project to ensure that the experience is mutually beneficial.

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If you would be interested in hosting a volunteer or if you would like to find out more about our hosting programme please contact Dan at hosting@icye.org.uk

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What are we looking for from a host project?

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• A not-for–profit/charitable organisation that can provide a full-time role for a volunteer which does not replace staff

• Provision of accommodation for the volunteer as well as food/subsistence allowance

• A commitment to cultural diversity in the work of their organisation and a willingness to share their culture with the volunteer

• A structure and meaningful volunteer role that provides the opportunity for the volunteer to develop and tasks well suited to the volunteer’s skills and abilities.

• Provision of training to ensure the volunteer can carry out the tasks required

• Provision of a supervisor who can provide ongoing support and constructive feedback

• Clear safeguarding and health and safety policies

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What can you expect from ICYE UK?

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Our volunteers are aged 18 to 35, they come from all over the world and from a wide range of different backgrounds with different skills and interests. We take time to ensure that volunteers are matched to the right project and in addition to a careful matching service, you can expect the following from ICYE UK. 

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• To provide an orientation training for the volunteer upon arrival and two weekend evaluation trainings for the volunteers during the year

• To provide a contact person for both the project and the volunteer

• To maintain regular contact with host projects and volunteers

• To organise the volunteers’ visas and insurance, police checks, references, any other documents specific to the host project, as well as any other related paperwork

• To meet with the volunteer and the supervisor during the course of the year to ensure that the relationship is mutually beneficial and to assist in improving relations where applicable