From 2 weeks
Cape Town Community Volunteers
Make a difference in a local community
Prices from
£669
deposit
£49
37 people have been looking at this trip recently
Trip Highlights
- Make a positive impact abroad by volunteering in Cape Town’s communities
- Choose from a range of activities to specialise in, from childcare to sports and professional skills
- Enjoy free weekends to discover Cape Town’s beaches and nightlife
- Stay at a fantastic volunteer house right by the coast
- Make new friends and invaluable connections while volunteering on this project
Trip Overview
If South Africa is one of your dream destinations and you would like to give back while you travel, we have the opportunity of a lifetime for you! Choose from a variety of volunteer activities on this project led by our incredible local team, from childcare and teaching to sports and professional skills development in the heart of Cape Town. As part of the experience, you will stay at a social volunteer house right by the beach, perfect for making new friends and exploring the city on your free weekends. Stay anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks, as you help make a difference.
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- Airport transfer from Cape Town airport
- Accommodation in either a volunteer house or hostel
- Meals during the week
- A welcome pack
- Orientation tour
- Walking tour of Cape Town
- Transport between the hostel and your volunteer project (the staff will drive you)
- Weekly social events
- A donation to the project organisation is included in the total price, but you may give more if you wish. We can advise you on how best to do this.
- A certificate of appreciation once your work here is done
- 24 hour emergency support
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visas
- Drinks and snacks
- Weekend meals
- Optional activities
- Your transfer back to the airport
All volunteers will stay in our volunteer house (although in busy periods, it is possible some volunteers may stay in a local hostel - they are only around the corner from each other). The accommodation is located only a 5-10 minute walk from a beautiful beach, and is in a safe, residential area close to shopping centres, restaurants and great local bars. The volunteer house is located only a 15-20 minute walk from the bus terminal, where you can hop on a 20-25 minute bus ride into the centre of Cape Town.
The volunteer house is made up of four separate buildings in a compound, with a swimming pool and communal outdoor and indoor eating areas. In each section of the volunteer house you’ll find a communal lounge and kitchen facilities, and 2-3 bedrooms per building, with 3-4 people sharing each room, so you're sure to make some new friends fairly quickly!
Please note that if you stay in the volunteer house, you'll have free usage of all hostel facilities and be welcome to hang out there during your evenings and free time. The hostel is just around the corner from the volunteer house, and has everything you will need to feel at home and have a great time during your stay. Facilities at the hostel include:
- Cheap, fast and reliable Internet
- An on-site bar serving beer, wine, cider and soft drinks
- A Jacuzzi – the ideal place to relax those muscles after an adventurous day.
- Lounge & TV room – includes a flat screen TV with satellite access.
- Laundry – A washing machine & tumble drier are available for a small fee. Alternatively the staff can do it for you!
- Communal kitchen – stacked with all the equipment you’ll need to create a delicious masterpiece.
- Complementary tea & coffee is available.
- Zen garden - where you can chill out and relax under the palm trees next to the pond.
- Bonfire area – a great place to make new friends, swap travel stories and cook your food the traditional South African way – on the braai!
Both the hostel and the volunteer house are just a five minute walk from the beach, a shopping centre, restaurants, bars and pubs. The hostel and the volunteer house are only accessible by a code pad entry system, for security.
You'll enjoy included meals during the week (Monday to Friday) throughout your South African stay. The organisation will provide you with a range of groceries to make your own nutritious breakfast and lunches. Evening meals will be delivered to the volunteer house and suited to all dietary requirements. Tea, coffee and tap water are provided but other drinks are at your own cost.
Should you wish to stay longer in Cape Town after your volunteer work has finished, we will be happy to help you find further accommodation, or lengthen your stay at the hostel.
Cape Town
Cape Town is a stunning city on the coast of South Africa. Featuring the dramatic flat-topped Table Mountain, this city is full of life, with friendly locals, gorgeous beaches and vibrant bars. On this project, you will have the opportunity of a lifetime to explore this destination and see another side to it, making meaningful connections with communities and other volunteers.
The Projects
After a 2 day orientation in Cape Town you'll get started with your volunteering. There are a range of fantastic community volunteer projects which you can take part in in Cape Town.
- Community settlements. Help with education at crèches and adult learning projects, plus assist with social events and empowerment projects. Get involved with building and improvement work, as well as educating the community about subsistence farming and vegetable gardens to help alleviate poverty.
- School/Crèche assistant. Volunteer in pre-school educare centres around Cape Town and work with kids aged 0 - 7. You will be assigned to a class and help the teacher with daily tasks such as marking and teaching. You will be able to run your own lessons and help children develop life and educational skills.
- Skills development projects. If you have specific skills to share, you can volunteer at a specialist skills development project. Skills can include life skills such as basic wound care and HIV awareness, sports development such as soccer and dance clinics, and business skills such as craftsmanship, woodwork and entrepreneurship. This will help out of work adults find new jobs and opportunities.
- Sport and youth development. Plan and deliver sport sessions to children at a local recreation centre, as well as assisting in morning classes. Teach kids new skills and promote teamwork and leadership. This aims to lower socio-economic problems such as delinquency, petty crime, and teenage pregnancy.
Please note: in the instance that there is only 1 sports volunteer at the time of your programme - this may not be an option.
You should choose one project to focus on, and most of your volunteering will then take place at this project for the duration of your stay, although you do have the flexibility to move projects if you wish. Let us know your project preference when you book so we can get the ball rolling on your volunteer experience.
Example Itinerary
Volunteer projects will adapt to the needs of the local community at the time of your visit. The following is an example of a typical week.
Day 1: Saturday
You will be welcomed at the airport by a coordinator who will transfer you to your volunteer house accommodation. You will have an introductory orientation session. The rest of the day is free for you to check out the shops, beach, bars and restaurants.
Day 2: Sunday
After breakfast you will be taken on a walking tour where you will visit historical sites such as the Castle of Good Hope and the Grand Parade. You will visit the Parliament buildings and the District Six Museum where you will learn about life under apartheid South Africa. You will be taken to explore St Georges Mall and Greenmarket square where you can purchase unique arts and crafts.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Cape Town, which you could use to explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for some fresh seafood, drinks and scenic views of the ships docked at the harbour. Whenever you're ready, you can make your way back to the hostel and enjoy a fun evening at a beachfront restaurant with your fellow volunteers, or head out to experience the local nightlife.
Day 3: Monday
Our Mondays start with some project volunteering activities from 8am to 1pm. In the afternoon, we hold weekly catch-ups which are designed to help new volunteers settle in, get to know each other better and gain valuable insight. We will also plan our weeks during these meetings, as well as carry out equipment maintenance checks, reorganising storage spaces and sorting through donations.
Days 4-7: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
After breakfast, your volunteer activities will run from 8am to 1pm. Enjoy a break for lunch before starting your afternoon volunteer sessions, which typically last from 2pm to 4pm. In the evenings, there will be some time to set aside for project or lesson planning.
Days 8 & 9: Saturday and Sunday
These are your free days and an exciting opportunity to explore more of Cape Town, or kick back by the beach. You can also get involved in volunteer social activities such as group dinners or football games, which are typically organised once a week
Your second volunteer week will follow the same schedule as the previous week.
Please note activities and itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Options Payment plans available
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Start dates can be flexible, please contact us for details. Please note, volunteer projects close during school holidays (for dates, download our trip notes). If you volunteer during school holidays, you will get involved with running holiday activities.
Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Call us on: 01892 527392
Email us at: [email protected]
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Arrival Information:
Arriving on a Saturday, you will need to arrange your flights into Cape Town International (CPT) at any time, where you will be met and transferred to your volunteer accommodation, about 25 minutes-drive from the airport.
A transfer back to the airport at the end of your programme is not included but easily booked with the local team in country.
Age & Eligibility:
The minimum required age to participate is 18.
When you book, let us know which project you are most interested in and we will match you up with this project (as long as your skills suit). When you book this trip our partner organisation asks that you provide us with a copy of your CV but don’t worry - this isn’t for anything too serious, they just want to look at your skills, experience and interests in order to match you up with the exact right placement!
DBS
On this particular programme, as you’ll be working with children, you’ll need to undergo an enhanced DBS previously known as CRB, or Criminal Record Bureau check and will need to have a clean criminal record.
DBS checks may list past convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings, and if applicable will show whether or not you have been barred from working with certain vulnerable groups. Non-conviction information such as fixed penalties may also be included.
There is an addition cost for the DBS check, please speak to your travel advisor at the time of booking. The DBS process is in 3 stages:
1. Once we receive your booking payment, you will then be sent an online application link for the DBS check, which you will need to complete.
2. Once you have completed the application, the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) will need verification of your identity - to do this you will need to take 3 original documents to your nearest crown post office and use their DBS and ID verification service. This costs approximately £8-£9 and is payable directly to the Post Office.
3. Once the post office verification is done it usually takes up to 2 weeks for your DBS to be processed, and your DBS will be sent to you directly in the post.
Please note, enhanced DBS (criminal record) checks can take 6-8 weeks to come back, so please ensure your start date allows enough time for your DBS check to be completed.
Want to check the demographics of your start date? Request the demographics here >
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