Common Questions
Everything you need to know about volunteering with New Ventures Worldwide.
Applying
Our placements are open to anyone aged 18 to 30, though you can apply from the age of 17 as long as you will be 18 by the time your visa is processed. You do not need formal qualifications or prior experience for most placements. What matters most is enthusiasm, a positive attitude and a genuine desire to make a difference.
Start by completing our online application form, which helps us understand your background, interests and what you are looking for. Your Programme Manager will review it and if it looks like a good fit, invite you to a friendly video interview, usually around 40 minutes. This is a two-way conversation where you can ask questions and get a feel for whether NVW is right for you.
It varies depending on your destination and start date, but we recommend applying at least six months in advance. This allows enough time for the interview, referencing, background checks, visa application and travel arrangements. That said, if your preferred start date is closer, it is still worth applying and we will let you know what is possible.
Yes. We require two character references for each applicant. These should be professional references rather than family or friends, such as a teacher, employer or coach. References help us and your placement understand more about you and confirm your suitability for the role.
For most placements you need to be a native or near-native English speaker. For UK placements and some others, a minimum B2 level of English is required. If you are unsure whether your level is sufficient, apply and we will assess this as part of the interview process.
Yes. Let us know when you apply and we will do our best to place you together. We cannot always guarantee it, but where spaces are available at the same placement we will do everything we can to accommodate this.
Placements
We match volunteers to placements based on their age, experience, interests and the information gathered during the application process. We send a profile of you to a suitable placement organisation, who make the final decision. You will receive full details of your placement before you commit, so you can make sure it feels right for you too.
Yes. You apply for a specific destination and placement type, so you are in control of where you go. If you are open to multiple destinations, let us know and we can help you explore the options that best suit your interests and circumstances.
We offer three main types of placement: school volunteering, outdoor camp volunteering, and community projects. Within these, placements are available in the UK, Spain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Argentina and Ghana. Each placement is distinct in its day-to-day role, so it is worth reading the individual placement pages to find the right fit.
No prior experience is required for most of our placements. Enthusiasm, reliability and a genuine interest in working with young people or your host community matter far more than a formal background. Full training and support is provided from the start of your placement.
Many of our placements actively welcome volunteers with specific skills and will create opportunities for you to use them. Whether it is leading a sports session, supporting an art class or running a music activity, your individual talents are genuinely valued. Mention any skills in your application.
Placement lengths vary from three months to twelve months depending on the destination and role. Some placements offer flexible durations while others have fixed start and end dates. The individual placement pages have full details on duration and start dates.
Fees and Money
Placement fees vary depending on your destination and the length of your placement. They range from $650 USD for our Ghana placements to $1,750 USD for Australia and New Zealand school placements. UK placements are priced in GBP. You can compare all placement fees on our fees page.
Your placement fee covers your matched and vetted placement, accommodation throughout your stay, all meals, a spending allowance or reimbursement where applicable, visa sponsorship where needed, training and preparation guidance, and ongoing support from your Programme Manager.
New Ventures Worldwide is a UK-registered nonprofit charity. The fee contributes to our operating costs and allows us to continue our mission of arranging carefully vetted volunteering placements for our global network of nonprofit organisations. A financial report is published annually to the UK Charity Commission.
The fee is paid in two stages. You pay a deposit to secure your place, and the remaining balance is invoiced once your visa has been approved. Your Programme Manager will walk you through the payment timeline.
Most placements include a weekly spending allowance or a reimbursement towards your costs. The amount varies by destination, from around $20 USD per week in Poland to $300 USD per month in Argentina. UK placements operate a reimbursement model rather than a standard allowance. Full details are on each placement page.
In addition to your placement fee you will need to budget for return flights, travel insurance, visa fees and any related costs such as health surcharges, police checks and medical clearance. The exact costs depend on your nationality and destination, and your Programme Manager will go through what applies to you during your interview.
Visas and Travel
Most volunteers will need a visa to volunteer abroad. The type of visa required depends on your destination and nationality. Your Programme Manager will explain exactly what is needed for your specific situation and guide you through the process step by step.
Yes, for most placements. As a UK-registered charity, NVW is authorised to sponsor volunteer visas and will do so where required. You complete the application yourself and cover the visa fee, but we provide full guidance and sponsorship throughout.
Not until your visa has been approved and your Programme Manager has given you the go-ahead. Booking flights before your visa is confirmed can cause complications. Once you have the all-clear, sites like Skyscanner are a good starting point for finding the best fares.
Yes. Travel insurance is a requirement for all NVW placements and must be in place before you book your flights. Your policy needs to cover the full duration of your placement, medical treatment and repatriation, and any activities involved in your role. Standard holiday insurance is unlikely to be sufficient for a long-term placement.
Your passport should be valid for the full duration of your placement and ideally for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Check this early, as renewing a passport can take time and may affect your visa application timeline.
Safety and Support
Every placement we offer is carefully vetted and known to us personally. Before you leave, your Programme Manager will prepare you thoroughly for everything ahead. Once you are on placement, your supervisor and local coordinator are your first point of contact for day-to-day matters, and your Programme Manager remains available throughout for anything more serious. We also check in regularly and visit every placement annually.
Speak to your placement supervisor first, as most issues are resolved quickly at that level. If you are not comfortable doing that, or the issue cannot be resolved locally, contact your Programme Manager directly. We take all concerns seriously and will work with you to find a resolution. In the rare event a placement is not working out, we will explore all available options including whether an alternative can be arranged.
We do not operate a 24/7 emergency line, but your Programme Manager will always respond as quickly as possible and will escalate anything serious without delay. You will never be left waiting when something important comes up.
Yes. Many of our volunteers are travelling independently for the first time, and our placements are designed with this in mind. You will be met on arrival, introduced to your placement and settled into a structured environment with a ready-made community around you from day one. Your Programme Manager is available throughout, and we provide comprehensive pre-departure information so you know exactly what to expect before you leave.
Absolutely. We are happy to speak with parents and family members who have questions about a specific placement or how NVW supports volunteers. Get in touch directly and we will do our best to give you the reassurance you need.