Will I get any support and training?

So you've signed up for your expedition. What's next?

To ensure all our volunteer managers are ready to help us deliver our expeditions, we provide a comprehensive support and training package that is included within the fundraising cost. This entails support in the run up to each expedition, a pre-expedition development weekend and ten days in-country induction training.

Support

Your Support Coordinator

You will be allocated to a Support Coordinator who works in head office and will provide all of the information you need in the run up to your expedition. This includes recommended flights, vaccinations, kit, fundraising ideas and medical forms.

Getting to know other volunteers

It's a good idea to get to know the other volunteers going on your expedition and those who have been before. You can do this by attending the development weekend and joining our Facebook groups.

Training

Development weekend

We run a development weekend for all volunteer managers about two months before every expedition. This is a great opportunity to meet other volunteer managers going on your expedition and Raleigh staff. You can find out more about our organisation and its aims, the planned projects, and receive medical and kit advice. You'll also receive training on group facilitation, personal development of young people in challenging environments and international development. Find a list of dates for the weekend. Attendance is highly recommended for all volunteers based in the UK and nearby European countries. If you are unable to attend or live further afield, we will make other arrangements to ensure that you have all the necessary information and are prepared thoroughly for your expedition.

"Development weekends provided by Raleigh International for volunteer managers are of the highest quality. It feels like you are learning from yourself and others on the course rather than just being taught. My knowledge and understanding of project management, interpersonal relationships and the awareness of my own personality and the effect it can have on others were all vastly expanded. You could pay hundreds of pounds for corporate team-building and relationship training and get nothing as good as that provided by Raleigh's trainers." Stephen Gardiner, Project Manager.

In-country training

Project based volunteer managers arrive in the host country two weeks before the venturers for orientation and training. Fieldbase volunteers arrive three weeks before the venturers.

All volunteer managers receive intensive leadership, interpersonal and practical skills training from our highly skilled in-country staff. Engaging and interactive workshops include:

• Volunteer team leadership & facilitation

• Interpersonal and expedition communication

• Conflict resolution

• Cultural awareness

• Crisis & risk assessment

• Expedition safety

• First aid in context

• Camp craft

Project based volunteer managers will also undertake a project planning visit, during which you will make detailed plans for your specific project with the local project partner.