A Guide to Volunteering Overseas for Older People

Volunteering isn’t reserved for young adults and recent graduates. There are plenty of amazing opportunities for older adults where you can see a unique corner of the world while making a meaningful contribution to underserved communities. 

Volunteering overseas opportunities for older people aren’t ‘easier’ than those for students or gap year students. They’re simply suitable for someone a little older and wiser, playing to your strengths while respecting your limitations (if you have any!). 

Today, we’ll explore everything you need to know about volunteering abroad as an older adult. 

Should You Volunteer? 

You may wonder whether you’re a good candidate for volunteering abroad, especially since many programs are tailored to younger adults and students. Volunteering is open to anyone of any age, but it can be strenuous if you don’t know how to play to your strengths. 

You may be a great volunteer if…

• You’re taking a career break, retired or are looking for a vacation that makes a real difference. 
• You have at least one week free to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 
• You’re a solo traveller who is ready to make friends with like-minded people from all over the world. 
• You want to do more than just sightsee on holiday, where you can achieve a true sense of achievement, broaden your horizons and create wonderful memories. 

Types of Volunteer Opportunities for Older Adults

There are plenty of amazing volunteering opportunities to choose from, no matter what age you are. Certain opportunities will use your years of experience and wisdom to your advantage, including: 

Working with Animals

Wildlife conservation volunteering offers the opportunity to work with animals, marine life, and their habitats, protecting endangered species and learning about their behaviours. You’ll work with local conservationists and researchers while getting the chance to see incredible wildlife in their natural habitats.

Whether you want to help out at a Puma Reserve in Argentina, volunteer in Sri Lanka’s Dog Care Project, or get up close and personal with Elephants in Thailand, wildlife conservation is an incredibly rewarding option for older volunteers. 

Community Development

Being an integral part of the development of communities, such as teaching in schools or improving children’s homes, is an incredibly meaningful and worthwhile venture. There are so many opportunities to contribute to community development around the world, so we can help find the ideal program to match your skillset, interests and physicality. 

Some of our most exciting opportunities for older volunteers in community development include:

• Community Development Project 
• NGO Support in Morocco
• Art Projects Volunteering 
• Charity Shop Volunteering 

Teaching and Childcare

Teachers and childminders are always in high demand in underserved communities, and these roles often prove to be the most rewarding. Not only will you be helping local families ensure safe and caring environments for their children, but you’ll also be able to contribute to children’s upbringing and futures. 

We offer a wide range of opportunities for older adults, including Teaching English to Monks in Chiang Mai, Kindergarten Volunteering in Sri Lanka, and helping Street Children in Delhi, India. 

Learn more about our teaching opportunities all over the world here. 

Women’s Empowerment

Women’s empowerment involves working to support women and girls in underserved communities by promoting gender equality and providing them with resources, skills and opportunities that they might not have otherwise had. You’ll be able to make a lasting difference in the lives of young women by running skills development workshops, mentoring, and raising awareness about women’s rights. 

We offer several excellent volunteer programs for older adults seeking to make a difference in women’s empowerment, including opportunities in Morocco, Sri Lanka, and India.

Two-Week Specials

Volunteering Solutions also runs several two-week special opportunities, which are ideal for older volunteers hoping to make a difference in a shorter period of time. These aim to provide you with the best experience possible, offering multiple opportunities and special adventures alongside your fellow volunteers. 

Some of our favourite two-week specials for older volunteers include: 

• 2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in Tanzania

Choose between teaching at a local school, childminding or working at the local healthcare center in Tanzania. Explore Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park during your weekends, and see the Big 5 in their natural habitat.

• Childcare and Elephant Volunteer Experience India

Volunteer for the Street Children in Delhi and make a difference in the lives of little ones, along with helping at an Elephant and Bear rescue center on the outskirts of Agra. 

• 2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in Kenya

Volunteer in Kenya to work with children and contribute to their education and caretaking. While living in the Nairobi suburbs, experience thrilling Game Drives and spot the African Big 5. 

• 2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in Ghana

Work for the Girl Child Education program and teach young women for a better future, take them on the Northern Ghana Wildlife Tour, and experience unique culture, traditional mud-brick houses, and rich history. 

• 2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in India

Enjoy two weeks volunteering with children at a local child care center, combined with weekend travel to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and sightseeing in Delhi. 

How Much Work Can I Expect to Be Given? 

Volunteering can involve long hours of physical and mental labor, with work often starting early (around 7 am) and finishing late, with a break for lunch in between. Volunteering Solutions provides two days a week free for exploring and personal development, while the other five days are dedicated to important volunteer work. 

Most programs will have you working in groups of volunteers, so you can lean on your peers to a certain extent if you’re feeling overwhelmed or tired. You can also take quick water breaks as frequently as needed, and a certain amount of flexibility is allowed for tasks to make sure that no one feels overworked.

With this being said, older adults won’t be given less work due to their age. Volunteering relies on the ability of all volunteers to get stuck in and work hard, so you’ll be expected to give as much as the rest of your team. We want to get the best out of our volunteers, whatever they can offer.

Who Will I Be Volunteering With?

Our older adult-friendly volunteer opportunities aren’t reserved for over-50s only, so you’ll get the opportunity to volunteer with like-minded people of all ages. Volunteers travel from all over the world to join our programs, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds during your adventure. 

We also offer several volunteer opportunities for families, allowing you to bring your loved ones along for the journey and bond while making a meaningful difference in the world. However, solo volunteering is a wonderful way to push yourself out of your comfort zone and form lasting friendships to carry with you long after you return home.

Where Will I Stay While Volunteering? 

Volunteering Solutions provides safe, vetted accommodation options for all our volunteers, including volunteer houses, host families, and hostels. Opportunities most suited for older adults often include the option to upgrade to a private room, although this isn’t always possible. 

You can choose whether you want to stay in the shared accommodation we provide or upgrade to a private room (where available). Sharing with your fellow volunteers can be a great way to learn more about global cultures and differences, becoming a pivotal part of your adventure. 

How Long Can I Volunteer For? 

Our volunteer programs range from one to 24 weeks, offering you the unique opportunity to decide how long you would like to volunteer your time. Some programs have a minimum stay of just one week, allowing you to enjoy the experience without taking excessive time off from work or other commitments. 

The longer you volunteer with us, the more value you will receive for your program fee. Certain projects may involve more training and longer orientation, which will cut into your volunteer time if you’ve only chosen to stay a week. 

Most programs recommend at least two weeks to make sure you have enough time to experience the true magic of volunteering, but the choice is yours. Ensure you consider your physical and mental capabilities before determining the length of your stay. 

Do I Need Experience to Volunteer with Volunteering Solutions? 

No, and that’s the amazing thing about working with us. We include orientation and training at the beginning of each program, so you’ll know what to expect during your stay. This often includes what you can expect to gain from your experience, our expectations of you, what you’ll be doing, and how we ensure your safety and comfort throughout. 

While working, you’ll always have the support of your fellow volunteers and the local team, so you’ll pick up new skills quickly. We recommend having a basic knowledge or understanding of the language of the country you choose, as this makes communicating with locals much easier. 

We want to help volunteers enjoy their experience, so we value enthusiasm over past experience. Most of your fellow volunteers won’t have experience either, so you can all lean on each other for support! 

The Best Time to Volunteer as an Older Adult

There isn’t a ‘best’ time to volunteer, as the majority of our programs run all year round. Consider your motivations and goals to make sure they can be achieved during the time you’re considering volunteering. For example, if you’d like to help release baby sea turtles in Bali, make sure you book during the hatching season (April to October). 

You should also consider the weather when choosing the right time to volunteer. We recommend avoiding the extreme temperatures of summer and winter, but be mindful that monsoon season and other weather conditions may take place outside of these seasons. Do your research on local weather in the country you want to visit and decide when you’d be most comfortable visiting. 

Finally, some older volunteers feel more comfortable volunteering during term time, when students are busy with studies instead of volunteering. Our programs are often busiest in summer, so if you want a slightly quieter experience, consider volunteering during exam season (May to June), Christmas time, or September when school starts up again. 

Ready to Start Planning Your Volunteering Overseas Opportunity? 

Volunteering as an older adult can be incredibly meaningful and rewarding, regardless of the program you choose. However, tailoring your experience to your skills, abilities, and passions can make sure you have the best experience possible. Contact us today and our team will be happy to help you find the best project, duration and country to visit.

Explore our senior volunteering abroad opportunities for a comprehensive list of the amazing projects you can support today.