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VSO - Sharing Skills, Changing Lives

Specialist Assignments > Support and Benefits

1. The financial package

We’ll cover all your costs. Our financial package for volunteers includes:

salary – a modest living allowance paid by your employer
return flight - to the country in which you’ll be volunteering
accommodation – will be provided by your local employer
medical and travel insurance cover - for the duration of your employment
national insurance contributions – will be made by VSO on your behalf
visas and work permits – all arrangements will be made by VSO
an allowance to cover the costs of volunteering - dependant on your length of service some of this may be available either at intervals while you are in placement or in one payment at the end

2. Personal support

You’ll have a designated placement advisor, who’ll take you through the pre-departure process. They’ll assist you with any issues you may have with your assignment or the logistics of going overseas. In addition, you’ll attend a two-day briefing in Birmingham. There you’ll get an introduction to the way VSO tackles global poverty and you’ll explore a range of contextual issues which will help enhance the effectiveness of your assignment.

Once overseas, your local VSO office will meet you on your arrival and organise a short briefing. Your most regular contact will be with your employer, who’ll act as your primary means of support. Your local VSO office will help with major personal, medical or security problems.

3. Professional support

Because of the nature of short-term assignments, your involvement often extends before and after your actual time overseas. Pre-departure you’ll work with VSO and the partner organisation to clarify and research the placement. After your return, you may remain in contact with your overseas employer to address any ongoing issues.

We can put you in touch with a network of people who have worked either in the same country or in the same field as you, in order to provide you with more professional assistance.

4. Post-return support

When you return from your assignment, you’ll:

receive a welcome home call from VSO
receive a more in-depth de-briefing call from a regional representative
be encouraged to participate in other activities to support VSO's work.