Au Pair & Community Volunteer

1,000 USD

Usually $1,250 USD – special offer for those starting in August 2025

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August 2025 for up to 12 months

In partnership with Square AuPair, this opportunity offers volunteers the chance to fully immerse themselves in British culture while profoundly impacting local communities; volunteers will divide their time between supporting host families and engaging in a diverse array of voluntary work in the community.

As a volunteer, you will seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of host families, offering invaluable support and fostering enduring connections. At the same time, you will dive into various volunteer projects, spanning from nurturing young minds in educational settings to providing compassionate assistance in healthcare facilities or animal welfare organisations. This placement serves as a gateway to personal and professional growth. Through hands-on involvement and meaningful interactions, you will develop indispensable life skills, gain confidence and independence, and nurture a profound sense of global citizenship.

Tailored for adventurous souls, this opportunity calls out to individuals with a passion for exploration, a dedication to service, and an openness to new experiences. Whether you are a recent graduate seeking real-world experience, a gap-year adventurer craving meaningful connections, or a career-changer eager to broaden your horizons, this placement promises to be a transformative chapter in your life journey.

Placement Examples

  • Education Sector: Pre-school/Nursery, Primary School, Secondary School, Special Needs Schools
  • Health/Social Care Sector: Elderly Nursing Homes, Hospices, Adults with Disabilities, Homeless Shelters
  • Animal Welfare: Dog/Cat Rescue, Veterinary Clinics, Other Animal Rescue Organisations

Volunteer Requirements

Prospective volunteers should demonstrate an interest in childcare and voluntary work, be aged 18 to 30 and be comfortable communicating in English. Completion of application and assessment procedures, including interviews and background checks, is required. Volunteers must commit to the agreed placement length and cover their international travel, visa, insurance, and program fees.

Locations

Our placements are primarily situated in London and the South East of England, offering comfortable suburban environments suitable for host families.

Teamwork

While volunteers may reside with their host family alone, NVW facilitates connections with other volunteers in the area, fostering a supportive community for socialising and mutual support.

Financial Reimbursement

Host families provide a minimum weekly reimbursement of Β£70 to cover spending money.

Since Brexit, volunteers from EU countries are required to pay a Β£1,400 visa fee to volunteer in the UK. This fee will be fully reimbursed by the host family upon successful completion of the placement.

Food & Accommodation

Host families offer private accommodation, typically a private bedroom with shared amenities, and provide meals. Additional meal provisions may vary depending on the placement. The placement includes a professional host family matching service, facilitating open communication and mutual understanding between volunteers and host families. This includes opportunities for both parties to exchange information and arrange meetings before committing to a placement, ensuring clarity regarding the volunteer’s role within the family dynamic.

Programme Manager

Supporting volunteer journeys

The UK Programme Manager, James, prepares volunteers for their placements and provides ongoing support.

James, an advocate for international volunteering, draws from his 1986 gap year in Indonesia. With extensive experience in volunteerism, he held key roles at Project Trust, VSO, and The Prince’s Trust. He contributed to education as a curriculum manager and Student Services Manager. Joining Lattitude Global Volunteering in 2014, he later became CEO. Residing in Ryde, Isle of Wight, with his family and three dogs, James renovated a historic Georgian townhouse, once the workplace of Ryde Conservative Club’s first Chairman, who shared his name.

Fee and Other Expenses

Why NVW charges a fee

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 volunteering placements for our global network of nonprofit organisations. A financial report is published annually to the UK Charity Commission.

 

Included in the fee

The fee includes a sponsored Tier 5 visa, a thoroughly vetted placement, an appropriate volunteer role based on age, experience and interests, a placement mentor, any necessary training, preparation guidance, a one-to-one call to go through the visa application process, ongoing support, accommodation, food, and a weekly spending allowance of Β£70 GBP.

The host family will pay you Β£1,400 GBP to cover the visa cost once the placement is complete.

 

Other expenses

In addition to the placement fee of $1,000 USD (usually $1,250 USD), you’ll need to budget for:

  • Return flights
  • Visa and any related processing or medical fees
  • Health surcharge (typically Β£1,300–£1,500 GBP, depending on your nationality)
  • Travel insurance (must meet the requirements of the host country)
  • Police check from your home country
  • Medical clearance, if required for your visa
  • Legalisation or notarisation of documents (where applicable)
  • Personal spending money for travel and free time

Exact costs can vary depending on your nationality, location, visa type, and personal circumstances. We recommend checking the latest official guidance β€” and we’ll happily go through what’s likely to apply to you during your interview.

FAQs

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What is the enrolment process?

After completing the application form, our team will check if you are eligible for your chosen program before inviting you to a Welcome Video Call. The interview is where you get to know the New Ventures Worldwide team, ask questions and get matched to your perfect program. Various background checks are then conducted before you are officially enrolled in the program.

What are the benefits?

  • See the world while experiencing a new culture
  • Experience personal growth, becoming more confident and independent
  • Make an impact working with international non-profit organisations
  • It looks great on your CV
  • Learn new skills for life
  • Gain perspective and understand what life is all about

Do I need flights and travel insurance?

Yes, you will need to arrange your own flights and travel insurance. You’ll need to send us your travel insurance policy details before starting a program.

Can a friend and I enrol on the same placement?

Being on a volunteering placement means you’ll always have a network of people around you, including locals and other volunteers. Providing a readymade community with local knowledge to explore, share, and create incredible memories. However, if you want to travel with a friend from home, let us know, and we can usually arrange for you to be on the same placement.

What happens if there is a problem during the placement?

New Ventures Worldwide has a Ladder of Support so you can see who to contact if you need help. Your placement will assist you in almost all situations. However, we also offer background support, mainly if a more serious issue arises.

Want More UK Gap Year Options?

Application Form

The journey of a lifetime starts here!

Applicant Details

Our placements are for those aged 18-30-years-old
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Placement Details

Requirements

Fee and Other Expenses

Before you submit your application, please confirm that you understand the financial commitment involved. The fee for this placement is listed above. In addition to this, you’ll need to budget for return flights, visa costs (including any processing or medical fees), travel insurance, a police check from your home country, medical clearance if required, legalisation or notarisation of documents if applicable, and personal spending money for your free time and travel. Costs vary depending on your nationality and individual circumstances. We’ll go over what’s likely to apply to you during the interview.

Applicant Experience

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