The fact that social and community work in Western terms is often a brand new concept in many countries means it may be a task in itself to establish professional credibility and find a niche in the existing social service structure. Volunteers will often work alongside highly skilled and experienced local people - and need to learn a great deal and earn their respect before suggesting alternative ways of doing things. Furthermore, the pace of change and progress for any project is likely to be slow. It might not be possible to achieve what was first anticipated or expected, there might be opposition to some ideas or other practical limitations to what can be achieved - these can lead to low morale and concerns about the final impact of the placement. It is therefore important to have realistic goals and expectations and feel a sense of achievement about small but incremental changes.
Volunteers work in challenging environments with significant responsibility and limited resources.
They will be implementing social care practice at a grass roots level, adapting their UK skills and knowledge to a specific cultural environment. Volunteers point out that as a result, their ability to work sensitively and provide appropriate solutions across cultural boundaries is enhanced. An ability to consult and liaise with a range of organisations, setting up networks and linkages from scratch is part of many placements. Completing a thorough assessment of the organisation and needs of the client group and community before starting to implement appropriate social care solutions are also important. The experience of comparing different social welfare systems and cultures not only enables volunteers to develop a fresh approach to their work in the UK and come to new and creative solutions but can also provide positive insights on existing practices.