Madagascar Marine Conservation
4-6 weeks from £2,199
Stay on an unspoilt island in stunning Madagascar and live and work on an amazing marine conservation project for 4 - 12 weeks.
Meaningful Travel
If you want to take a gap year that provides you with fun and exciting new experiences, but also gives you a real sense of meaning and purpose, then you might want to combine seeing the sights and having adventures with making a meaningful contribution in the world. Many people see their gap year as their opportunity to make an impact on a community by signing up as a volunteer abroad and really making a difference.
Make your mark
There are many volunteering opportunities available for you to be a part of on your gap year, depending on what sort of work you want to do. These opportunities range from working to rebuild communities as a community volunteer, teaching English in deprived areas or getting involved in wildlife conservation. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it means something special to you, as it will mean so much to the people and communities that you help during your gap year.
Check out our trips below, or read more about Meaningful Travel »
Community feeling
Doing something meaningful within a community can be an immensely rewarding way to spend your gap year. Help out as an orphanage volunteer and work with kids, bringing meaning into your life and theirs as you bond with chidren from deprived areas of the world who haven't had the best start in life.
Lessons in life
One of the ways you can do something meaningful on your gap year is to become a volunteer teacher and ensure the education of future generations across the globe. You could teach abroad with children and give them the advantage of becoming multilingual, or just bring the basics of education into underprivileged communities by teaching kids in Africa and giving them a great start in life.
Live a wild-life
Helping to conserve some of the world's most wonderful wildlife is another way to make your gap year a meaningful experience. There are so many valuable volunteer projects out there that need your help and support and animals that are in desperate need of protection and care.
Meaningful memories
Having a meaningful gap year means not only do you get to see the world, but you get to make a difference too. Working closely alongside a community, you will integrate with locals and their society in a way that passing visitors wouldn't, gaining a unique insight into a new and diverse culture. You'll create unforgettable memories and make some new friends for life along the way! By spending your gap year volunteering, you will ensure that you leave your mark and make the most of the chance for some meaningful travel.
Found 17 trips
Sri Lanka Medical Placement
2-12 weeks
from £1,049 £997
Calling all medical graduates, or current medical students! This volunteer programme is the perfect opportunity to further your practical medical experience. Make a real difference to the local community, build your CV, and explore the gorgeous surrounding area in your free time.
Cape Town Community Volunteers
From 2 weeks from £669
Give back while you travel, volunteering in the heart of Cape Town's communities. Choose from childcare, teaching, sports or professional skills development, making a positive difference however you can. Explore Cape Town on your free weekends and make new friends for life!
Medical Internships in Ghana
4-8 weeks from £1,250
Starting medical training or looking to further your career in medicine? This incredible Ghanaian-led internship offers a real opportunity to build your medical experience while having a positive impact in a developing country. Choose from a general medical internship, nursing, dentistry and physiotherapy and get hands-on experience with plenty of free time to explore Ghana
Monkey Sanctuary Volunteers
2-6 weeks from £829
Spend 2 - 8 weeks working hands on with South Africa's five primate species, helping to rehabilitate and reintroduce them to the wild.
Coach Football in South Africa
4-8 weeks from £999
Spend 5 - 12 weeks as a football coach in beautiful South Africa and teach kids how to play the beautiful game! Pass on your skills, inspire kids and make a difference on this fantastic volunteer programme.
Coach Sports in South Africa
4-8 weeks from £999
Head over to South Africa and teach kids your favourite sport! Volunteer in beautiful Port Elizabeth and share your passion for netball, hockey, rugby, tennis or swimming. Get sporty and make a difference!
