Raleigh International are working with the Scientific Exploration Society and the UK alumni Society to increase access to Raleigh Expeditions by providing financial support to young people in the UK.
The SES Raleigh Explorer Award will fund a total of 16 places awarded in 2024 (7), 2025 (7) and 2026 (5) for young adults from less socio-economically advantaged backgrounds to join a Raleigh Expedition.
The funding will cover places for a 10-week Expedition and flights to South Africa including insurance and flights. Venturers will be encouraged to raise funds for items such as kit and travel to the airport.
The Award is being funded by Raleigh International, The Scientific Exploration Society (SES), Raleigh alumni, members of the Raleigh UK Society (RUKS).
Estrella | Award winner 2024 | South Africa
Estrella | Award Winner 2024 | South Africa
If you’d like to apply for our SES Raleigh Explorer Award bursary, please complete the application form.
A Raleigh Expedition isn’t a walk in the park – it’s back to basics, it’s challenging but that’s the best part about it.
To take part in a Raleigh Expedition you don’t have to have done anything like this before, but what you will need is the right mindset to get the most out of the experience. You’ll be put outside of your comfort zone – both mentally and physically. You’ll need to be ok with that and embrace the fact that, that’s exactly where all the best bits come from.
You’ll be in basic accommodation, have cold showers, live out of your backpack and on Raleigh Rations – cooking on a campfire. You’ll be up early and working hard on projects that really matter to the communities and environments you’re in. You won’t be alone though. You’ll be surrounded by an incredible team of other people, all figuring it out together and making the kinds of friends you never lose, in locations that will take your breath away.
Are you prepared to take on the challenge and come back having grown as a person in ways you’d never imagined?
Josh | Award winner 2025 | South Africa
We are looking for young people who can clearly show that they would benefit from experiencing a life-enhancing and transformational volunteering experience with Raleigh International. To be eligible you need to:
In addition to these criteria, applicants must be willing to share their Raleigh story on Raleigh International social media channels and website as well as be open to speaking with the media. This will help promote the SES Raleigh Explorer Award and Raleigh Expedition.
Please note, if you’re successful in being offered a bursary place, there will be a medical form you’ll need to complete. As with all Raleigh Venturers, your place is still subject to health and medical clearance and DBS check.
Fill in your online application form and tell us why you want to go on Expedition!
If you are eligible and your application is successful you will be invited to an online meet with the Raleigh UK Alumni Panel!
If successful, you will be invited back for a second interview and be asked to present a short presentation.
We will let you know if you are successful and you can start getting excited about your Expedition!
Austin rated their experience as ‘excellent’: “The diversity in the projects. Meeting people. The fact that it was thrilling and felt a bit dangerous but also felt completely safe. Making life-long friends, I have stayed in touch people on Raleigh and am seeing them soon. I would never have met these people if it wasn’t for Raleigh as we are from such different backgrounds and locations.”
“All the staff were amazing – always easy to talk to, very clear about decisions and boundaries but always fun and good to be around too. All the guides extremely were well trained and I always felt safe with them. I had lot of respect for the staff – you could tell they were highly trained and qualified.”
“When I went into college everyone was silent, but I spoke to everyone and now I am a class rep. Communication and teamwork skills I learnt on Raleigh massively helped and I can work with everyone. I have an understanding of solitude and how it’s nice to have your own space. I now sit with no phone after 45 mins after a busy day. I really enjoyed not having a phone.”
Austin | Award winner 2024 | South Africa
Estrella (right) | Award winner 2024 | South Africa
Estrella rated their experience as excellent: “100% being honest. I think for me it’s the organisation that South Africa had. Very well organised projects and we always had something to do. There wasn’t a day when we didn’t know what we were doing or the purpose of it. The guides always told us what we were doing and why.”
“In life you have to be really present with the things you do and its easy to focus on the future or the past but it made me realise that where you are right now is where you have to me. The present is a gift.”
Hear from Raleigh Alumni about life on Expedition
You'll find everything in one place about your Expedition
Send us an enquiry with what you'd like to know more about
