Volunteer Abroad for over 50s

Volunteering for older adults offers unique benefits, leveraging your valuable life experience and desire for purposeful travel. Our programmes provide a supported and enriching environment where you can:

• Reignite your purpose: Discover a renewed sense of meaning by contributing your skills and time to projects that truly matter.
• Share your expertise: Your professional and personal wisdom is a huge asset. From teaching to business support, conservation to healthcare, your experience can empower communities and drive change.
• Forge new connections: Meet like-minded adult volunteers abroad from around the globe, build lasting friendships, and connect deeply with local communities. Our specialist programmes for over 50’s bring together groups of volunteers aged over 50s and over 60s. Read about our veteran volunteers, Carolyn and Joan, who have become fast friends since volunteering with Projects Abroad.
• Boost your wellbeing: Stay mentally stimulated and physically active while immersing yourself in new cultures and environments. It’s a rewarding way to enhance both your physical and mental health.
• Experience true cultural immersion: Go beyond tourism and gain a deep, authentic understanding of another country and its people by living and working alongside them.
• Take a meaningful gap year for grown-ups: Whether you call it a “golden gap year,” a career sabbatical, or a retirement adventure, our programmes provide the perfect structured yet flexible framework for your extended journey.

Absolutely not! Our volunteer abroad programmes for adults are specifically designed for individuals aged over 50, over 60, and beyond. Your life experience, skills, and enthusiasm are valuable assets. We believe it’s never too late to make a difference and explore the world.

We prioritise your comfort and safety. All our over 50s programmes include:

• 24/7 local support from our dedicated in-country staff.
• Structured itineraries and fixed dates, ensuring you’re part of a supportive group.
• Secure and comfortable accommodation, often with welcoming host families.
• Airport pickup and drop-off, plus in-country transportation to and from your project.

No, prior experience is generally not required for most of our volunteer work for over 50s. Your willingness to learn and contribute is what matters most. We provide all necessary training and guidance upon your arrival.

Most of our volunteering overseas for older adults programmes include accommodation with a local host family. This provides an authentic cultural immersion experience. We also offer options for shared volunteer houses or guesthouses, depending on the project and destination. All accommodations are vetted for safety and comfort.

Programme fees vary depending on the destination, project type, and duration. Our fees typically cover accommodation, meals, in-country transportation related to your project, 24/7 local support, and project equipment. Flights, visas, and travel insurance are usually additional. We aim for transparency and can discuss detailed costs for your chosen programme when you book.

Yes! Our over 50s programmes are specifically designed for volunteers aged over 50, ensuring you’ll be part of a cohort with similar life experience and interests. Even on our Volunteer & Intern programmes, you’ll meet a diverse range of volunteers from all age groups, fostering a rich and supportive community.

Our programmes offer flexible durations, ranging from as little as one or two weeks up to several months. You can choose the length that best fits your schedule and desired experience.

We encourage you to discuss any health concerns or physical limitations with us during your initial enquiry. We can help you select a programme and project that aligns with your capabilities, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. We recommend consulting your doctor before travel and securing comprehensive travel insurance.

While each project varies, a typical day often involves project work during the mornings and / or afternoons, with evenings free for cultural activities, exploring, or socialising with fellow volunteers and your host family. Weekends are usually free for personal travel and excursions (but some programmes have cultural activities included as standard in your fee).

We offer a diverse range of volunteer opportunities abroad for older adults to match various interests and skill sets, including conservation, childcare, and cultural trips. Scroll up to view our projects in the Galapagos Islands, Nepal, Cambodia, and Botswana.