Au Pair & School Volunteer

950 USD

July - September | up to 12 months

This unique opportunity offers volunteers a true immersion in British culture while making a meaningful impact on local communities. Volunteers will split their time between supporting host families and engaging in diverse community work, with a focus on pre and primary school settings, working with children aged 3 to 11.

As a volunteer, youโ€™ll seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of host families, providing invaluable support and building lasting connections. Additionally, youโ€™ll contribute to various volunteer projects, from nurturing young minds in schools to supporting community initiatives. This placement offers personal and professional growth, helping you build confidence, independence, and a profound sense of global citizenship through hands-on involvement and meaningful connections.

Designed for adventurous, service-driven individuals, this opportunity is perfect for recent graduates seeking real-world experience, gap-year travelers craving meaningful connections, or career-changers eager to broaden their horizons.

Placement Overview

As a volunteer in the education sector, youโ€™ll take on a classroom assistant role, working closely with teachers to support young learners in pre-schools, nurseries, and primary schools. Your duties may include helping with classroom activities, providing one-on-one support to students, assisting with creative projects, and contributing to a positive, engaging learning environment. This role is ideal for those looking to make a direct impact on childrenโ€™s education, fostering their growth and development in these foundational years.

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 ยฃ70 to cover expenses such as flights, visas, insurance, and programme fees.

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 Details

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
Support acquiring a sponsored visa, a thoroughly vetted placement, an appropriate volunteer role based on age, experience and interests, a placement mentor, any necessary training, preparation guidance, ongoing support, accommodation, food and a spending allowance.

 

Additional costsย 
In addition to the placement fee, volunteers pay for flights, a visa, and travel insurance, usually costing around $2,500 USD (depending on the departure destination). Volunteers are reimbursed weekly towards their costs during placement. The reimbursement amount varies.

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. Youโ€™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 youโ€™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.

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

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Requirements

This is a requirement from the schools and host families as the children you'd be working with are mainly English

Applicant Experience

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