The YMCA Fairthorne is offering the opportunity to international volunteers to do an 8-month project starting at the end of January 2020 that will provide you with valuable experience and training to run a variety of activities with children. Here is what they say: We believe in providing the perfect environment to create experiences that challenge, develop and enable people and where better to do that than in 83 acres of beautiful natural landscapes. Every year we welcome thousands of visitors to our site on the south coast of the UK, to have amazing experiences with us in the great outdoors. From a childs first time playing in the mud, to first nights away from home, family holidays, school trips to remember, a chance to really grow and develop, we offer it all Each year we look for a select but mighty volunteer team from around the world to really help us add the sparkle to what we do at YMCA Fairthorne Manor.About the YMCAThe YMCA started in 1844 in London and has grown to become a worldwide organisation with 45 million members in 125 countries. The YMCA has adapted to the needs of today and works with all ages, races, religions and cultures. Each YMCA now operates on a local scale, delivering services that meet the needs of their local community, in keeping with the wider organisations values and aims. At YMCA Fairthorne Group, they are proud to be affiliated with the wider YMCA movement ( the worlds largest and longest-running youth charity.The YMCA Fairthorne Group operates throughout Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton from 30 venues. Their programmes include 14 early years settings, school holiday Daycamps, community activities, residential centres, camping and housing for young people. Part of the YMCA Fairthorne Group, YMCA Fairthorne Manor offers a unique outdoor activity venue set in the heart of the countryside. Considered one of Hampshires hidden gems, the 83 acre site comprises of sweeping grounds, mature woodland, a lake and access to the upper reaches of the River Hamble. They provide a wide range of programmes on-site, including high quality childcare for children aged 0-5yrs, school holiday Daycamps, residential programmes for groups, a family campsite and community activities.

Day-to-day, the main role of our volunteering team will be to ensure all visitors to YMCA Fairthorne Manor have an experience that really embodies all of our values: Welcoming, Active, Listening, Inspiring, Caring, ExcitingDuring your time with us, you will be acting as hosts to our groups, assisting with activities, running evening entertainment, helping our dining room to run smoothly, opening our tuck shop, playing games, singing at campfire, playing in the mud with our toddler groups, welcoming families to events, be a pro at doing the YMCA dance routine and generally making a huge difference to our community There is also a lot of behind the scene work that needs doing in order to keep this massive operation running smoothly. Sometimes you may be helping to maintain our beautiful woodland and grassland areas, helping to maintain activities, working with our Estates team to get our camping villages ready and much, much more. We can promise you that no two days will be the same, that you will be busy and have achy feet at the end of most days, but you will make memories that last a lifetime, for you and the children, young people and families you work with. A day in the life of a Volunteer LeaderThe Volunteer Leaders area crucial part of our team, they make the experience for our guests really special. Your days will be varied, some of your busiest days will be when you are linking with our residential groups. A typical linking day may look like thisActivity8.00amBreakfast (Helping in the dining room, having breakfast with your group, chatting to the children and getting to know them. 9.00amMorning Meeting ( Getting the briefing for the day, this is where we will talk through the plan for the day, give any notices and discuss anything that needs to change. 9.30am -12.45pmSetting up and activities ( You may be assisting your group with their outdoor activities such as Team Challenge or a Jumping Pillow session. 12.45pmLunch time 1.45pm -3.00pmTime for a break and to get ready for the afternoon and evening schedule. 3.30pm -5.00pmRunning tuck shop and sports and games for your group. 5.30pmDinner (Helping in the dining room, having dinner with your group, chatting to the children and getting to know them. 7.00pm (9.00pm You may be running an evening activity for your group and others staying onsite. This could be a campfire, disco, night walk or fun evening activity.

You will be allocated a basic room, which (depending on its size) you will share with up to 4 other volunteers. It should also be remembered that this is a public facility and therefore Health and Safety laws do apply. This means it must be kept clean and tidy at all times with rubbish removed daily. FOOD: Canteen style with a limited choice but with a vegetarian option. There is no self catering option. Three meals a day are provided, which includes a cooked breakfast and / or cereals, lunch and a cooked evening meal. Meals are at set times. IMPORTANT: Please remember its not a 5 hotel. YMCA is more like a youth hostel with dormitory-style accommodation and basic facilities.

Fairthorne Manor is located in a village called Curdridge which is near the city of Southampton on the south coast of England. It is about 15 minutes walk from Fairthorne Manor into the village where there are shops and pubs. The nearest train station is Botley from where it is about half an hours journey into Southampton.

UK VISA COSTS:If you dont have an EU passport you will need to apply for a tier 5 charity workers visa (approximatelyIpound244) for which we will provide a sponsorship certificate. As part of this you will also need to pay an immigration health surcharge(approximatelyIpound400)EXTRAFEE: Ipound40 (GBP) ( to be paid to Concordia UK by Paypal.Once applications have been shortlisted, a skype interview will be conducted before confirming a place. The full information pack is available from CONCORDIA UKDEADLINE: please APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.