At Lattitude we recognise that taking a gap year and going overseas is often a daunting prospect, not only for our volunteers but also for their parents watching them go.
We understand there is a lot to consider when choosing the right overseas placement programme. There are many gap year organisations out there offering a variety of opportunities, but knowing which ones are the most responsible is not always easy to find. We believe our values, experience and dedication to young people as a youth development charity make Lattitude the top choice!
We’re sure you won’t find the level of support we offer anywhere else, but here’s a bit more about why so many volunteers (over 47,000!) and their parents think that Lattitude is the right organisation for them:
1. Our Long-Standing Reputation
Lattitude Global Volunteering, (formerly GAP Activity Projects) was founded in the UK in 1972. With over47 years’experience we have supported more than50,000young volunteers globally. With this experience we feel confident that we provide the best supportavailablefor our volunteers!
2. We Support Volunteers through everystep of their Lattitude Journey
Our extensive support network includes staff members in the UK as well as in the host country where the volunteer is placed.Each volunteer is assigned a dedicatedVolunteer Coordinatorfrom our UKoffice who will be their key contact and support the volunteer throughout their journey.
All volunteers (and parents!) will be invited to attend aPre-departure Briefingwhere sessions will address challenges, practicalities and cultural differences of life overseas, in addition to aspects such as health & safety.
Immediately upon arrival to their placement country, volunteers attend a grouporientationand undertake training with in-country Lattitude staff who are available throughout their time overseas should any problems arise.
If necessary, our24-hour emergency phoneline is available at any stage for volunteers or their family if required. Lattitude staff areon call 24/7 to provide supportand manage any incident – overseas and in the UK.
3. We use a Comprehensive ‘Matching-Process’ to Partner Volunteers with their Host Placement
Our thorough matching system allows us to find the best available placement to challenge, engage and inspire the volunteer, whilst matching them with a placement where their skills will be best utilised.
4. Our values match those of parents
We know that parents are passionate about their children developing key skills and gaining life experience and, as an international youth development charity, we aim to facilitate exactly this. Lattitude’s volunteering placements encourage leadership, confidence, independence and teamwork skills, to name a few!
5. We prepare young people for their next steps
Lattitude’s placements aim to equip young people with key life and employability skills which help them develop independence, responsibility and the confidence to decide what they want to do next – whether it’s university or a certain career path.
“Before I went on placement I didn’t know what career I wanted to go in to. The placement made me realise that I want to go in to teaching as a career and so I’m about to start an Access to Teaching Course. I’m really glad I took the time to find out what I really wanted to do for my career.”Fergus, volunteer School Assistant in Australia
Don’t just take our word for it, check out blogs and stories written by current and past volunteers!
