These are the general timelines for our Volunteer Managers, as divided by Field base and Project site roles. We also have some additional Project Site roles finishing 4 days after the given end date, if you are able to stay on longer. Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the specific time frame for a role, for Medic timelines, please visit our main page for Medic roles here.
We advise Volunteer Managers to apply at least 6 months in advance to give you the best chance of getting your first choice of role and country. This will also give you more time to raise your funds.
It is sometimes possible to join an Expedition leaving within three months. To do this please get in touch with us as soon as possible to talk through what’s involved and fast track your application.
How much does it cost?
As we are a charity you can fundraise for some or all the cost of your Expedition. Your money is going to support our work to build a sustainable future for everyone.
Expedition fundraising targets
| Period |
Expedition Duration |
Fundraising target |
| Apr – Jun |
8, 9 weeks |
£2,100 |
| Jun – Sep |
13 weeks |
£2,200 |
| 11 weeks |
£2,150 |
| 6, 7, 9, 10 weeks |
£2,100 |
| Sep -Dec |
12, 13 weeks |
£2,700 |
| 8, 10, 11 weeks |
£2,100 |
Your Expedition costs are not fully covered by your fundraising. All Volunteer Manager roles are subsidised by Raleigh to support our Expeditions.
Our Medic and Adventure Project Managers require specialist knowledge and skills, so the fundraising targets are reduced for these roles. The different targets for Medics can be found on our Medics specific pages. For further information please email internationalresources@raleighinternational.org
Interested in where your money goes? Find out how Raleigh spends its funds.
What’s included?
When you volunteer with Raleigh there are no hidden or extra costs. We include much more than other providers because over the last 35 years we have learnt that a high-quality programme, including safety, in-country support, and working with communities as real partners has better outcomes for all of us.
We provide:
- All food and accommodation throughout your Expedition.
- Airport welcome and all transfers to and from the airport in your destination country.
- Comprehensive medical insurance.
- Leading safety expertise supported by our British standard 8848 safety accreditation.
- All in-country transport costs to project and trekking locations.
- In-country Director and staff team, including medics, providing 24-hour support, planning and in-country partnerships with Government, INGO’s and local project partners.
- UK operations team providing planning, medical, safety and security support with 24-hour back up to country offices.
- Comprehensive pre-departure information and support.
- All necessary project training by experienced staff.
- All project equipment, supplies and tools.
- Project evaluations and impact reporting against the sustainable goals framework.
- Post-Expedition alumni membership, services and discounts.
What’s not included?
- Flights
- Visas
- Vaccinations
- Insurance for personal belongings (for example rucksack, walking boots, sleeping bag etc.); flights changes/ cancellation
How to Apply
Ready to apply? Here are the stages of making an application so you know what to expect.
Step 1 – Apply online and upload your CV/résumé
Complete the online form. Please tell us as much as you can about yourself, what you are currently doing and what relevant skills and experience you could bring to an Expedition. Don’t worry if you don’t know which role is right for you; just put ‘undecided’. As part of the form you will need to upload a copy of your CV / résumé (along with the applications task if applying for the Content Creator role).
Step 2 – Expedition Discovery Weekend
If your application form is approved, you will be invited to attend our Expedition Discovery Weekend based in East Grinstead, Sussex. We hold about eight of these a year and will let you know upcoming dates. If you are based outside of Europe we will arrange an online assessment with you instead.
The Expedition Discovery Weekend is a fun and intensive weekend, designed to give you a taste of Expedition life – so be ready to get your hands dirty!
The weekend is facilitated by Raleigh alumni and will give us the chance to assess you as a potential Volunteer Manager. It also gives you the opportunity to decide whether Raleigh is right for you and ask our alumni about Expedition life.
We will be in touch within one week of this event to let you know if you have been successful. You will then be offered a place on one of our Expeditions as a Volunteer Manager, which is valid for two years from your application.
Please be aware that because of the COVID-19 pandemic we have needed to postpone many of our Expedition Discovery Weekends in 2020 and are unlikely to be able to invite you to one of these until the beginning of 2021. We are planning online events as an alternative. We will keep you updated on any developments after you apply.
Step 3 – Deposit
To confirm your place on Expedition, we will ask you for a deposit when you receive your offer letter. This will be deducted from your fundraising target total.
Step 4 – Pre-departure preparation
Our Volunteer Coordinators will support you to get started with your fundraising, book your flights, vaccinations and visas. You will then be invited to your Development Weekend to meet your team and start your training. For more information on this please see our training and support page.
