The term ‘gap year’ often means different things to different people. At Lattitude Global Volunteering we see this as an opportunity to take time out of your usual schedule whether you are at work or continuing with your studies. This may be for a few months or it may be for longer but through volunteering you will be able to embark on something that is rewarding, personally challenging and potentially life changing. Lattitude Volunteers return home with new found skills, confidence and qualities that they can use and draw upon endlessly throughout their careers and personal lives.
How will I benefit
Forty years’ experience in overseas volunteering and youth development has demonstrated year after year the benefits of volunteering in a culture and community completely different to your own. Volunteers discover a wealth of personal strengths and talent in themselves, and use these qualities to add value and capacity to local communities across the world by working in a variety of roles.
Lattitude offers returned volunteers the opportunity to attend a De-briefing Event on their return home. This gives volunteers the opportunity to talk about their experiences, share stories and understand their achievements and personal development in the context of employment in the future. We work with a large Graduate Recruiter to ensure that the latest transferable skills that recruiters are looking for are discussed and also put into the context of volunteering and early career development.
How the host community benefit
Communities across the world and especially in developing countries struggle for resources constantly. Volunteers therefore bring valuable support to local schools, community centres and community based projects where money is tight, staffing is limited and there are few opportunities for local people to engage with other cultures. International volunteering allows local communities to engage and challenge their way of thinking bringing a new dimension to their learning. Lattitude volunteers bring much needed skills, resources and capacity to local organisations. The work can be tough but it is immensely rewarding but volunteers leave a lasting impact in communities in which they work.
