Why Raleigh International?

With an increasing variety of volunteering options, it can be hard to find the right organisation to suit your needs. There are many reasons why our volunteers choose Raleigh International, but why should you?

We encourage you to be all you can be
Our expeditions are tough, but enable you to develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, perseverance and leadership. All of these skills are sought by universities and employers and will help set you apart from the crowd.

Our projects are worthwhile and sustainable
We're unique because each of the countries we operate in has a permanent headquarters, with permanent members of staff building long-term relationships with the government, NGOs and local communities. And we only work with partners who have a genuine need, so you'll be making a positive contribution.

We access remote areas
Having a permanent presence in each country means we often work in areas such as national parks which aren’t normally open to tourists. We're also able to obtain special permits to trek through remote landscapes you couldn't access travelling independently or through other gap year organisations.

We're safe
Safety is our number one priority and our volunteers receive comprehensive safety training. Due to our experience we worked with the Year Out Group in setting up the BS8848 specification (British Standard) for the provisions of visits, fieldwork, expeditions and adventurous activities outside the United Kingdom.

Your money will be making a genuine difference
Because we are a charity we ensure our projects deliver long term sustainable benefits in the communities and environments we work with. The money you raise goes directly into the development and materials needed to run our projects. Plus, as a charity, we can offer bursaries to young people from our host countries; India, Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua as well as young people in the UK who believe they will find the full fundraising target a challenge too far.

We're more than just a gap year - we are for life
The friends, memories, experience and skills you'll take away from our expeditions will remain with you for a long time. You'll be joining a network of 35,000 people keen to share their stories and make a contribution to society on their return.

Don't take our word for it, watch our videos, browse the word of mouth and read our blogs to find out more about our expeditions and what life on Raleigh's really like.