The total cost of the programme covers your air fare, insurance, visa, training, in-country living allowance and local support. It does not include whatever personal spending money you wish to bring along. For more detailed information, see our finances page. People and businesses are often willing to be very generous in supporting work that will make a genuine difference and if they can see that you are also making an effort. SPW gives applicants a comprehensive fund-raising pack, including advice, ideas and examples of successful approaches from past volunteers.
All prospective volunteers attend a selection day.
Further briefings enable volunteers to meet each other, returned volunteers and both UK and in-country staff. Volunteers receive detailed medical information, and equipment requirements. The information packs provide lists of recommended reading, covering cultural, social and historical topics to fully prepare volunteers for the time they arrive overseas. The exact length of the training programme and its content is determined by the programme you are going on. Except for India this training lasts a minimum of one month.