Best Volunteering Abroad Programs for Over 50s in 2025/26

Volunteering is a meaningful and rewarding experience, no matter what age you are. While some people think of volunteering as a young person’s game, there are plenty of benefits to volunteering over the age of 50. For starters, you might have more time and money to dedicate to a good cause. It’s never too late to try something new! 

But with so much choice available for volunteers, it can be difficult to know where to start. While your age doesn’t necessarily matter, some things may become less appealing with life experience, like heavy lifting and staying in a hostel. Today, we’ll be exploring volunteering opportunities available to over-50s, so keep reading to find your new adventure! 

Volunteer in a Dog Care Project

The Dog Care Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka is a wonderful way to work with one of the most reputable organizations in the world to make a real difference. Plus, it gives you the chance to spend some time with stray dogs of all shapes and sizes. 

As a volunteer, you’ll focus on boosting the well-being of stray dogs, socializing them so they feel more comfortable around people, providing much-needed TLC, and offering mental and physical stimulation throughout their rehabilitation. 

There are an estimated three million stray dogs in Sri Lanka, many of which suffer terribly. Volunteering with this organisation lets you help man’s best friend and give them a second chance at a good life. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for over 50s thanks to the light activity requirement and simple schedule. Most days, the project only runs for three to four hours, giving you plenty of time to relax and explore Sri Lanka’s beautiful views and historical landmarks. 

Volunteer Teaching in Kenya

Volunteering in Kenya gives you the opportunity to teach children from underprivileged communities, engage with locals and meet passionate volunteers with similar goals and views as you. Get the chance to teach in elementary and high schools around Kenya, assisting in subjects such as maths, science, history, business education, and music. 

The great thing about teaching in Kenya is that you don’t necessarily need prior experience or qualifications to help out. As a teaching volunteer, you’ll be responsible for preparing lesson plans and tests, helping improve the vocabulary of students, and implementing new ideas and teaching methods. 

Days usually run from 9am to 3pm, and you’ll spend the majority of the day at your assigned school, so you don’t have to travel too far. On weekends, you have free rein to explore the city or travel a little further to the elephant orphanage, giraffe center, or safari experience. 

Charity Shop Volunteering Program in Ireland

Sometimes, the most valuable volunteering opportunities are simple and understated. Volunteering in Ireland’s charity shops is a noble and immersive experience with a comfortable homestay, offering a unique opportunity to over 50s who’d rather relax than deal with long flights and extensive explorations.

Your main tasks would involve managing a charity shop, sorting inventory, providing sales assistance to customers, and keeping the shop clean and tidy. There are so many extra jobs involved in charity shop volunteering, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this placement! 

Ireland is a wonderful place to volunteer for over 50s. Its mild temperature and climate might appeal to you more than very hot and humid places like Africa and Asia. The work is also predictable and not too strenuous, and your downtime can be spent exploring Ireland’s picturesque prehistoric sites and medieval castles. 

Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand

If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure, look no further than Thailand’s elephant volunteering program. Chiang Mai is known as a quaint elephant village, where you’ll be able to work with mahouts, collect elephant feed from the surrounding forests, and take the animals for walks and baths. You’ll even get to take care of the babies during the birth season. 

One of the selling points of this program is that volunteers get to move to the countryside and take a well-needed break from everyday life. This is perfect for people of all ages, but particularly for over 50s who want a bout of R&R while also making a difference in the lives of majestic elephants. 

This program requires long hours from its volunteers, usually getting to the elephant camp at 9am and leaving at 9pm. However, during this time you’ll get two hour-long breaks for lunch and dinner, and as many rest-stops as you need. You’ll also be spending a great deal of time outdoors in the glorious sunshine and fresh air, which does wonders for our health. 

English Teaching Volunteering Program in Hanoi

A popular volunteering opportunity for over 50s is teaching English to people in countries where it isn’t their first language, including Madagascar, Vietnam, and Cambodia. This rewarding experience requires plenty of patience and active engagement. You might be perfect for this opportunity if you’ve learned the art of patience through life experiences. 

As a volunteer for this program, you’ll work alongside the teaching staff and lead classes on improving pronunciation and conversational skills. You'll bring your own ideas into the classroom and focus on interactive lessons with activity-based learning. 

The average working requirement for this project is 20 hours a week, giving you plenty of time to explore or relax in Vietnam. You could head out on your own or invite some of your fellow volunteers with you, fostering connections and learning more about global cultures and traditions. 

Is It Worth Volunteering Abroad as an Older Adult? 

Absolutely! At Volunteering Solutions, we value the impact all of our volunteers make on the world, regardless of age. Here are some of the reasons why we think you should take the leap and volunteer with us: 

• Life experience is your unique advantage:

One thing that distinguishes you from other volunteers is your life experience. Have you worked as a stellar manager in the past, or do you have experience teaching in a classroom? Have you successfully run a small business or acted as a leader in a community? So much of your life experience is invaluable for volunteering programs, even if you don’t realize it. 

While younger volunteers might have the upper hand when it comes to energy, you bring something equally as valuable to the table: experience. You’ve been there, done that and got the T-shirt, so don’t undervalue your contribution to a volunteer program. Use your vast fountain of knowledge and put it to good use by helping your global community.

• More free time means you can sign up for longer stints:

Many younger volunteers fly out to help during their gap years or breaks between semesters, which is usually only a couple of weeks. However, as someone over 50, you may find yourself with less to do on a daily basis. The nest is empty, work responsibilities are settling down, and you’re looking for something fresh and exciting - volunteering is the answer.

Some people thrive with free time, while others can’t help but feel uneasy. Volunteering gives you a renewed sense of purpose and the assurance that you’re helping people who really need it. By all means, test the waters with a short term volunteer program, and if you love it, come back for a longer experience up to 24 weeks. 

• You’ll meet people from all walks of life and make lifelong connections: 

As we get older, it becomes harder to make friends. That’s a simple fact of life, and many struggle with where to meet new people as life continues moving. If this sounds like you and you’re still looking for somewhere to make meaningful connections that you can rely on for years to come, volunteering is an excellent way to do it. 

Picture it: you step off the plane in an unfamiliar country, where you don’t know anyone. You’re put into a group with other volunteers, all with a shared goal of making a difference. You’ll work together, brainstorm ideas, and share life stories without the disruption of screens or other responsibilities getting in the way. There is no better way to make friends! 

• Volunteering does wonders for mental and physical health: 

For people over 50, exploring the world does wonders for their health. It can boost brain power, lower stress levels, and keep the body agile. Many of our volunteers mention how volunteering makes them feel young again, taking them away from their usual routines and opening them up to a world of possibilities and opportunities. 

Volunteering is like a workout for your brain, curiosity, and memory. Whether you’re learning how to navigate cloud forests in Costa Rica or picking up a new language in India, your brain remains more active and engaged than it often would at home. Plus, travelling the globe naturally encourages a healthier lifestyle! You’ll walk more, eat better, and experience a natural mood lift from a flood of endorphins.  

Considerations For Over 50s Volunteering Abroad

There might be slightly more for you to think about before jetting off to your volunteer destination as an older traveller, including: 

• Health checks: You might want to consult your doctor before volunteering abroad, especially if you’re headed to a country with a higher risk of illness. They can advise you on any vaccinations you’re not up to date with and recommend ways to keep yourself healthy while volunteering. 
• Insurance: Some travel insurance is more expensive for over-50s due to a higher risk of injury or illness. We can help you find the best deal on insurance to make sure you’re not overpaying for protection. 
• Activity requirements: Some volunteering opportunities require more physical activity than others. If you’re not used to a lot of activity, choose an opportunity that honours your skill level rather than challenges it too much. 
• Know who to call in an emergency: It’s essential that you keep your project coordinator’s number, along with other emergency contacts, on your person at all times should you need immediate assistance or advice. 
• Destination climate and time of year: Some countries in Africa and Asia reach extreme temperatures of above 100°F (38°C) in summer, which can increase your risk of heat-related illnesses. If you want to volunteer in the summer, try somewhere with a cooler climate, like Europe. If you’re set on one of the hotter parts of the world, consider volunteering in fall, winter or spring. 
• Packing the essentials: It’s essential to be well-equipped for volunteering in your chosen climate. Pack the correct footwear (well-padded and suitable for lots of walking is a must) and lightweight clothing that you can easily layer depending on the weather. 

Ready to Plan Your Volunteering Experience? 

There’s no such thing as being ‘too old’ to volunteer - after all, you’re only as young as you feel! As an older volunteer, you bring plenty to the table that others can’t: a wealth of knowledge, life experiences, and more time to dedicate to your chosen cause. At Volunteering Solutions, we’ll be with you every step of the way to keep you feeling confident, comfortable and safe during your journey. 

Check out our senior volunteering abroad opportunities and take the first step in making a meaningful difference today!