Questions Before You Apply
Who can apply, how matching works, and what it costs.
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 provide either a weekly spending allowance or a reimbursement towards your costs, though the arrangement varies a fair bit by destination. Poland is around $20 USD a week, Argentina around $300 USD a month, and UK placements reimburse your costs rather than paying a set allowance. Ghana and Spain do not include an allowance, though Spanish placements usually offer the chance to earn through private English tutoring locally. Full details for your placement are on its 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.
The Process
From application to arrival, the whole journey is set out step by step, so you can see exactly what happens and when.
Visas and Travel
Everything about visas, flights and insurance lives on one page, including what we sponsor, what you apply for, and what order to do it all in.
Safety and Support
We have a full page on how we look after you, from your mentor on the ground to what happens if something is not right.