Finding the right program for you is key to what we do, so we spend time to understand your aspirations, challenges, fears and dreams to best match your expectations and provide you with a fulfilling journey on every level. We do this through honest conversation and detailed planning so you are best placed to be a dynamic volunteer, learning and growing through your journey.
Your well-being and personal development is important to us. We believe everyone has potential, is valuable and can make a meaningful contribution to the wider community or environment. By participating in one of our teams you will be able to connect and support deserving projects overseas which in turn will bring about personal rewards as there is nothing more powerful as helping others. Our programs will also provide a platform to reflect on cultural attitudes and values so you will be able to see and effect the challenges our project co-ordinators face.
Through honest conversation via email, phone, Skype or morse code we will spend time to bottom out the best match of program for you which will have the right combination of projects, adventure and challenges.
Once this is in place you will be appointed to a UK program co-ordinator who lives and breathes detailed country knowledge and will be there to help yoiu get organised.
While you are away you will guided by our Leaders who in addition to delivering and guiding you through the program will also help you:
Develop and nurture an attitude of empathy, regard for people and culture, fostering relationships with human dignity, rights and well being. They will help you appreciate human relationships in all their complexity and will help the team work together when confronted with challenges. Throughout the program they will encourage curiosity, self reflection, flexibility, creativity, spirit and accountability.
Our program research and planning is at all times guided by our responsible travel principles to give you a program which 'has the feel good factor' for all involved and the means to learn about teamwork, self-motivation, flexibility, budgeting, resilience, planning, overcoming challenges and communication.
We have long-term partnerships overseas, working together on sustainable, evolving projects.
We constantly review, mindful that our projects are always needed.
Approximately 65% of the program cost is spent overseas on staff, food, accommodation and project materials.
Where possible we contribute to the local economy. Read more.
Our volunteers are briefed on how to respect the environments and communities they will work amongst.
Issues such as religion and local do's and don'ts are covered at each phase.
All volunteers are briefed on how to protect their environment, the wildlife and conserve natural resources.
Most foodstuffs are bought locally and we never replace local jobs.
With everything set in place it is now up to you to make this what you want…we need you to embrace the challenges ahead to make a difference and give something back. In our experience if you head off with the following Leap values in mind, you can’t but help to have a rewarding experience.
At all times you need to be polite and respectful to our staff, the environment, other volunteers and communities.
Sexual relationships between staff and volunteers is strictly forbidden, and those between consenting adults in the team need to be conducted discreetly.
A successful team needs everyone to pull their weight, show kindness, consideration and at times tolerance.
All our programs will include some physical hard graft, pushing you out of your comfort zone and requiring you to dig deep and push on through. Through these challenges you will experience personal growth.
We need you to genuinely want to give something back to the communities we operate in, and embrace the opportunity to make a difference to people from far poorer backgrounds.
You will need to commit to completing your projects and program in the knowledge that leaving early lets everyone down.
We will need you to comply with the leaders advice and rules given on safety, appearance and responsibilities.
Alcohol is permitted in moderation, but we have a zero-tolerance policy on drugs.
We need you to be honest with us before you travel with any medical issues. We've successfully sent people overseas with a variety of conditions having consulted with the doctor to determine whether they will be able to cope overseas.
Please note we cannot provide trained therapists once overseas and our programs are not available to court-assigned individuals.
