How do I volunteer?

This page explains how to register and what happens next. We have two registration channels: one is for employees/students of our corporate and public sector partners, the other is for all other individuals.

If your employer, school or university is a partner with The Great Generation you should apply through your organisation, but please contact us if you need any further guidance: Contact us

Other individuals wanting to volunteer should take the following steps:

  1. Register on line.
    Use the Register to volunteer link and fill in your details
  2. We check your references.
    We will contact your references to ask them about your suitability for volunteering.
  3. You transfer a £120 donation to The Great Generation to show your commitment to the community you will be volunteering with on the project 
    We will send you an email offering to reserve an initial space on a project. To help confirm your place on the project and in order to receive your volunteer information pack you will need to transfer a £120 donation to The Great Generation to show your commitment to helping the community you will be working with on the project. (this can be paid by cheque or via JustGiving).
  4. Sign and return your fundraising commitment agreement.
    At the same time that you transfer your £120 donation, you will need to return your fundraising commitment agreement which will be sent out to you. Once you we have received both your donation and your signed fundraising commitment, we will send you your volunteer information pack.
  5. We will send you a volunteer information and fundraising pack
    Once we have received your £120 donation and your fundraising commitment agreement we will send you all the information you need to know about volunteering with The Great Generation and how to go about fundraising.
  6. You start fundraising.
    The money you raise through fundraising or through your contribution will go towards your participation in a project and most importantly towards the community that you will be working with. The average minimum sponsorship is £1,200, however this varies between projects, Please see our Forthcoming projects page for more information.
  7. 12 weeks before your project starts you ensure that we have received 50% of your fundraising
    Keep in regular contact with The Great Generation staff to let us know how your fundraising is going and if you're having any trouble.
  8. Around 6 weeks before your project starts you attend your first half day briefing
    You will get to meet your project leader who will introduce you to your project in much more detail. You will learn about the Expert Partner and community you will be working with and begin the planning for the project activities together. Your project leader will also take you through what you can expect to see, do and experience out on the project including important country information that you need to know.
  9. 6 weeks before your project starts you will need to ensure that we have received the final amount of your fundraising
    Once we have received all of your fundraising we can confirm your place on the project
  10. Around 3 -4 weeks prior to your project  you attend your final half day briefing.
    At this second briefing you will complete your project planning and tie up any loose ends.

    Stay in communication and get our support.
    Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns, so please feel free to contact us at any time. The briefings are invaluable and this is summed up by our past volunteers:
    • My motivation was always high, but the briefings really helped to bring it to life before actually departing.
    • The briefings were definitely worthwhile to get us in the right frame of mind prior to the project and very motivating.