- You are here :
- Home
- » At School / College
- » Post 16 year olds
- » Gap Year
Gap Year
Many people decide to take a year out after school and take a break from education before deciding whether to go to university, to college or get a job.
You can do a variety of activities in your gap year. Some people choose to work, some go travelling, some do projects in far off lands and some do work placements and internships.
Gap years are a brilliant way of meeting new people and doing new and exciting things, as well as taking a break from education or work. This section offers information and advice about what to do and where to do it.
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to learn new skills and share the skills you have. You can make a real difference to people living in the toughest circumstances. You get a chance to work creatively, stretch your capabilities, take more responsibility and have new professional skills and experiences to offer an employer. Read CSV’s report on the advantages of volunteering.
We are not recommending any organisation included here but all provide helpful advice on how to get started.
Here you will find information on Volunteering in the UK, Volunteering Abroad and Working Abroad.
Volunteering in the UK
CSV (Community Service Volunteers)
CSV trains over 12,000 young people and adults each year, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to progress to further education or employment or to set up in business. The UK's leading volunteering and training charity.
CSV provide information on gap year volunteering in the UK before and after university. Gap year volunteering before university will enhance your UCAS application, make you more independent and develop your social skills. Gap year volunteering in the UK after university will help you build on what you’ve learnt with some real life experience and could help you find that elusive first job.
Watch vieos about full time volunteering.
Volunteering England
Volunteering England is a volunteer development agency committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity. Their work links research, policy innovation, good practice and grant making in the involvement of volunteers. View their projects or watch videos of some of their volunteers to learn about their experience.
Volunteering Abroad
VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas)
VSO is a leading development charity that sends volunteers to work abroad. Find out more about volunteering roles and voluntary jobs overseas.
Gap Guru
Gap Guru provides gap year projects, supporting local communities and organisations through ethical and sustainable programmes.
Lifetracks
Lifetracks offers information on how to make the most of your gap year and advice from those with real experience.
Mondo Challenge Volunteers
Mondo Challenge Volunteers help communities abroad, using their skills while on a career break they volunteer overseas, teach English abroad, work in childcare, women´s empowerment or other community based projects.
Project Trust
Project Trust places volunteers to work overseas for a year out, aimed at 17-19 year old school leavers in full time education. Types of work include social services, English teaching, outdoor activity and community development schemes. There are projects in over 25 non-European countries.
CWW (Challenges Worldwide)
Challenges Worldwide is an international development charity and award winning social enterprise. They recruit volunteers with professional skills and experience and train them to work with local overseas partners in developing countries.
Working Abroad
CEPLIS – European Council for the Liberal Professions
Skills and Competences for Mobility in a Competitive Europe provides a range of information relating to CEPLIS’s recent work on transparency of qualifications and professional mobility across the European community.
Overseas Job Centre
Overseas Job Centre - a guide to working, travelling and living abroad, working holidays and gap years.
Outreach International
Outreach International - career breaks and gap years.
