You are never too old to
take on a new challenge
Don't let old fashioned attitudes hold you back from a trip of a lifetime
Older adult programmes
Gone are the days where travelling abroad was the preserve of gap year students. Don't let old fashioned attitudes hold you back as you are never too old to take on a new and exciting challenge. Volunteering abroad is a fantastic way to see the world and take on a new experience while sharing a lifetime of skills and knowledge with those less fortunate.
None of our volunteer programmes have a maximum age restriction, with our volunteers ranging from 16 to 70+ and our adventures being increasingly popular for the over 50s. You do not need to have any specific qualifications or experience (with all necessary training provided when you start) and the only requirement we ask is that you’re keen to make a positive impact on your chosen project.
As an older volunteer you can join one of our award-winning wildlife and marine conservation projects for endangered animals, teach English in a local government school or help look after children in community kindergartens.
Below we have listed all of the different volunteer programmes we recommend to older volunteers based on previous feedback, the activities on offer and the volunteer accommodation provided. You are of course more than welcome to browse all of the programmes we offer by clicking on the relevant links at the top of this page.
Our structured and safe programmes ensure volunteering through The Mighty Roar is ideal for older volunteers. You'll be able to work alongside a diverse group of international volunteers, enabling you to make a real difference to a worthwhile cause.
All of the programmes include extensive pre-departure information and support, as well as assistance with all aspects of your trip from our UK team. Our dedicated in-country co-ordinators are there to provide you with local support throughout your placement and depending on which programme you choose, also your airport pickup, orientation, accommodation and meals.
Find a suitable programme that plays to your strengths or opt for something entirely different
Volunteering allows you to travel and become part of the community, not just another tourist
Structured, ethical and sustainable experiences guided by professionals
Comprehensive pre-departure support and assistance with all aspects of your trip
24/7 UK and in-country support
Volunteering opportunities for older adults
From £670
Zimbabwe Elephant & Rhino Sanctuary
Get up close with our rhinos and elephant herd where you will be involved in valuable conservation work that will help towards securing the futures of these endangered species. This hands-on diverse experience will see you studying and learning about the animals behaviour, undertaking anti poaching patrols and lots more! You will get a unique behind the scenes insight into this family owned 10,000 acre game reserve in the heart of Zimbabwe.
From £180
Sri Lanka Childcare Volunteers
Get ready to experience the beauty of Sri Lanka while helping on this hugely rewarding project. You and other volunteers will play a crucial role in interacting with the children keeping them entertained and happy, while building their confidence and teaching them basic English and life skills. You will offer invaluable assistance to the local staff and provide the care and love the children need.
From £370
South Africa Amakhala Big 5 Conservation
Do you want to experience and explore Africa and all of its inhabitants? Well, Amakhala will not disappoint! Assist behind the scenes on various ongoing conservation and community projects and meet the famous Big Five along with a vast array of other wildlife. Stay in a 4-star luxury lodge, go canoeing, fishing and camp under the stars in the middle of the bush!
From £160
India Teaching Volunteers
Come and help teach English and other vital subjects in our partnering government run schools in Jaipur. This is your chance to fully immerse yourself within the local community and to give the amazing gift of education to the many underprivileged children that attend every day.
From £560
Greece Sea Turtle Conservation
Volunteer to help with our efforts of conserving critically endangered sea turtles that frequent the sandy beaches of Kefalonia. Gain hands on experience as you contribute to important research, all while meeting new people, having fun and exploring the beautiful island. Working alongside environmental biologists and conservationists, you will play a massive part in securing the future of these fascinating creatures in the Mediterranean.
From £120
Tanzania Childcare Volunteers
Volunteer to help the children in one of Tanzania’s most renowned communities, the Maasai. With their iconic brightly coloured wraps and their distinctive dances, interacting with the Maasai is as every bit as memorable as any landscape or big five encounter. Helping within the day care centre will see you busy assisting the teachers and playing with the children - where you will be sure to brighten up their lives.
From £360
Thailand Elephant Refuge Centre
This is your chance to get hands on working experience with the majestic Asian elephants in this 100% ethical sanctuary in beautiful Thailand. The elephant refuge sanctuary provides support and care to over 20 elephants that have all come from abused and neglected backgrounds. Located in a tropical region about 160km south of Bangkok.
From £190
South Africa Dog Rescue Centre
Provide essential assistance by caring for unwanted, mistreated and neglected dogs in one of the best cities in the world - Cape Town. You will support the programme by working hands on with the 80 or so rescued dogs at the sanctuary and have the opportunity to get involved with all aspects of this busy centre. Situated in the beautiful rural suburbs just outside of Cape Town city centre, this is your chance for a real adventure.
From £200
Nepal Childcare Volunteers
Come to Nepal and make a real difference to the lives of children. Your time and effort will immediately help the centre and your presence will bring a whole new positive energy to daily life. If you enjoy working with children then this is a fantastic opportunity for you.
From £230
Bali Childcare Volunteers
Want to do something amazing on your next trip abroad? Come and help at our day care centre, where you will be welcomed with open arms by the children and community. They will be sure to fill your life with laughter and unconditional love! This hugely rewarding experience will fully immerse you into the local Balinese culture, where you will interact with the locals and get to know their traditions and lifestyle.
From £200
Nepal Teaching Volunteers
Help make a difference to underprivileged children in Nepal by teaching and assisting in a range of public and private local schools. You will get fully involved with all aspects from planning lessons through to teaching your very own class! The enthusiasm and smiles of the staff and children will make you feel at home from day one.
From £200
Sri Lanka Street Dog Rescue
We need your help in Sri Lanka on our new street dog initiative that aims to help protect and care for man’s best friend and to improve the animal-human relationship within the local community. Being a dog in Sri Lanka is a hard life and we urgently need volunteers like you to help monitor, take care of and feed all of the street dogs that have currently been identified in the local area.
From £150
Ghana Childcare Volunteers
Are you ready to take on a new experience where you can explore the real Africa, make lots of new friends and make a real difference to the lives of young underprivileged children? Your time and effort at our day care centre is vital and you will provide an important contribution to the children’s daily lives.
From £340
Portugal Wolf Sanctuary
Help care for rescued Iberian wolves in this vast wilderness sanctuary located just 30 minutes from the capital Lisbon. Your time and effort will actively contribute to these beautiful wolves and will enable them to thrive in an environment as close to the wild as possible. The sanctuary rescues wolves that were born and/or kept in captivity under illegal circumstances and are therefore no longer able to live in the wild. If you love animals and are looking to join conservation efforts then this is the programme for you!
From £810
Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary & Reserve
Get up close and personal to incredible animals such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, baboons and so much more! The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on a 3,200-hectare reserve near Windhoek and offers a safe refuge for an ever-growing abundance of orphaned, injured and abandoned animals.
From £160
India Special Needs Childcare Volunteers
Do you want to make a difference in someone’s life whilst experiencing a diverse and culturally rich country? Come and help in India on our rewarding childcare programme that is having a profound impact on the lives of people with learning disabilities and help to make positive change where it is needed the most!
From £200
Sri Lanka Sea Turtle Conservation
Help to protect and conserve endangered sea turtles by volunteering at our sea turtle hatchery. We are proud to be the first and only 100% ethical programme in the whole of Sri Lanka where you will get involved with all aspects of true conservation. See wild turtles come up to nest on beach patrols, release baby turtles into the sea and so much more!
From £230
Bali Teaching Volunteers
Come and enjoy the picturesque Bali where you will immerse yourself within the warm and welcoming community and get to know lots about the vibrant and diverse Balinese culture. With the main aim of teaching English for free, you, along with other volunteers will focus on providing a fun and enjoyable experience, where the children can further progress their English.
From £1,219
Malawi Wildlife Sanctuary
Join the award-winning and renowned wildlife sanctuary in Malawi, where you will assist in animal conservation efforts whilst also making a difference in the local community. The sanctuary cares for 200 orphaned, injured and confiscated animals and needs volunteers like you to help care and rehabilitate all of the wildlife with the hope that most can be released back into the wild.
From £230
Thailand Teaching Volunteers
Volunteer to teach in Thailand and help assist in one of several government run under-resourced schools located in the poorer suburbs of Bangkok. You and other volunteers will play a vital role in creating exciting and engaging lessons to ensure all of the children learn something new and also lend a helping hand where needed.
From £290
Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation
This is your chance to go on a unique adventure where you will live life on the beach, enjoying the beauty of the remote island, the turtles and the friendly small community. Get hands-on experience and make a valuable contribution to the conservation of sea turtles where you will play your part in securing the future of these endangered, fascinating and enigmatic creatures.
From £360
Thailand Wildlife Rescue Centre
Thailand has a rich biological diversity which has sadly decreased in recent years due to human exploitation. That, coupled with habitat loss and habitat degradation, is pushing much of the Thai wildlife to the brink of extinction. The Wildlife Rescue Centre is the perfect place for volunteering to help combat that. If you're enthusiastic and passionate about wildlife, you're what we need to assist with the general upkeep of the project throughout the year.
From £160
India Childcare Volunteers
Discover the colourful culture of India while volunteering to support underfunded and understaffed day care centres around Jaipur. Brighten up the lives of young children making a vital and important contribution to their daily lives. Help with the provision of childcare to disadvantaged children as well as participating in a range of exciting activities – with the aim to put a smile on every child's face.
From £150
Ghana Teaching Volunteers
Help teach underprivileged children where you will leave each day with a real sense of achievement. There is no better way to experience life in Ghana, where you will be surrounded by beautiful beaches and jungles and be integrated into the friendly and hospitable culture. You will play an important role in supporting the local teachers and providing a different way for how the children can learn.
From £180
Ghana Medical Experience
This is your chance to gain valuable first-hand experience of the healthcare system in Ghana. You will get a real insight into the difficulties faced and meet some of the amazing people trying to help make a difference to the lives of the local community. During your time on the placement, you will get to shadow and assist the professional medical staff where you will get an unparalleled experience.
From £210
Vietnam Childcare Volunteers
Are you someone who is hard working, caring and able to understand and adapt to the differing needs of children? If so, you would be the perfect person to come and continue the great work that goes on day in day out in Vietnam. Help underprivileged children in and around Hanoi where your time volunteering will be greatly appreciated by the local community.
From £880
Thailand Street Dog Rescue
Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs and puppies in Thailand. Everyday you will be caring for upwards of 800 dogs that are within the rescue centre and on the surrounding streets as you provide an essential pair of hands to feed, medicate and monitor them. Located within a Buddhist temple that borders one of the most stunning beaches in Hua Hin, you'll spend your days on tropical beaches.
From £210
Vietnam Teaching Volunteers
Come and enjoy stunning Vietnam where you will help children to improve their futures by teaching them English. Get to know lots about the vibrant and diverse Vietnamese culture when you immerse yourself within this warm and welcoming community.
From £530
South Africa Marine Conservation
Get hands on with this award winning marine conservation programme in the beautiful Plettenberg Bay. Located along the heart of the Garden Route and offering some amazing coastal scenery you will get to observe some amazing marine wildlife such as Bottlenose Dolphins, Great White Sharks, seals and many whale species including Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales and Orca/Killer Whales.
From £300
Bali Marine Conservation
We urgently need support from volunteers from around the world to help restore and protect the coral reef in picturesque Tianyar. What once was a highly biodiverse and healthy 3 kilometre reef, it is now in a poor condition due to many years of unsustainable fishing practices and from pollution. You will have the opportunity to learn to dive and to also become fully qualified.
From £230
Thailand Childcare Volunteers
Experience the hustle and bustle of Bangkok while helping on this hugely rewarding project. You will play a crucial role in interacting with the children, keeping them entertained and happy while building their confidence. By volunteering at the pre-school, you will be providing a new learning experience for the children and ensuring they receive all of the care and love that they need.
From £160
India Medical Experience
Gain vital medical experience abroad with our diverse Indian medical programme. This is your fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand exposure and an in-depth insight into the health care system in India, while also providing an extra pair of hands to help assist. From observing and following the local staff, you will gain valuable knowledge and an understanding of the problems faced in Jaipur, as well as the best procedures and processes to handle them.
From £1,110
Namibia Carnivore Conservation - Kanaan Desert
Volunteer as a big cat conservationist in the stunning Kanaan Region of Namibia where your help will ensure the carnivores habitat and all other animals that call it home are safe for years to come. Your time will be focused on researching the free-roaming populations of carnivores to support the important role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
From £1,110
Namibia Lifeline Clinic
Provide an essential pair of hands at the Lifeline Clinic in Epukrio, where you will contribute to the medical welfare of the San Busman community as well as gaining first-hand experience of healthcare in a developing country. The Lifeline Clinic provides free primary health care services to more than 3,500 patients every year and is quite literally the lifeline for thousands of people within the local area.
From £190
South Africa Childcare Volunteers
Play an important role by volunteering at a range of day-care centres across Cape Town, where you will get to offer invaluable assistance to the local staff and provide the care and love the children so desperately need. You will be involved in all daily activities that range from basic teaching, playing and assisting staff.
From £1,060
South Africa Shamwari Big 5 Conservation
Have a once in a lifetime experience by working behind the scenes in one of Africa’s finest game reserves. Your time on the reserve will be diverse and structured giving you the opportunity to personally experience life as a budding conservationist. You will get to help out at the Born Free Big Cat Foundation, Shamwari Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Animal Hospital and the Rhino Awareness Centre as well as monitor some of the world's most iconic wildlife.
From £180
Sri Lanka Teaching Volunteers
Your help is needed to improve the future of many underprivileged children in the local impoverished communities. Make a difference to the lives of the children by volunteering on this rewarding programme. Your dedication and time will help massively to provide the education the children need in order to grow, develop and become independent. Teach English, play games and have fun! Live life on the beach and enjoy this beautiful country.
From £190
South Africa Teaching Volunteers
Help make a difference to underprivileged children across Cape Town by teaching and assisting in a range of local primary schools. You will get fully involved with all aspects from planning lessons through to teaching your very own class! The enthusiasm and smiles of the staff and children will make you feel at home from day one.
From £330
South Africa Medical Experience
Want to do something amazing on your next trip abroad? Gain valuable experience assisting in a hospital in South Africa, where you will be able to work with adults and children in the community. Volunteering in facilities for poorer people who cannot afford private medical care is hugely rewarding work, appreciated by both clinic staff and all of the patients.
From £120
Tanzania Teaching Volunteers
Teach English and other important subjects in the heart of Tanzania, as you assist within overcrowded and under resourced government primary schools. You will become an integral part of the school and local community, as you encourage students to develop a skill to help them achieve their future goals.
From £1,050
Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Big Five Conservation
This is your opportunity to take part in meaningful conservation as you follow in the footsteps of explorer David Livingstone. Get up close to some amazing animals, enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful surroundings, take part in some awesome adrenalin activities and visit the famous Victoria Falls (just 10 minutes away). Home to the famous African Big Five, this 2,500 hectare game reserve boasts many elephants, black rhinos, lions, leopards, buffalo and a wealth of other native wildlife.
From £560
Greece Marine & Coastal Conservation
Help protect the large Posidonia seagrass meadows that are currently classed as vulnerable as you snorkel in the crystal clear waters to collect important data and photographs. You will also play an important role protecting the sand dune systems that can be found around the beautiful island of Kefalonia. This is your chance to understand and gain research experience, discover all the marine organisms that thrive within the protected area, explore the beautiful island and make new lifelong friends.
From £1,219
Malawi Wildlife Research
If you’re interested in iconic carnivores like lions and cheetahs and want to see them in their natural habitat, a research volunteer placement in Malawi’s beautiful Liwonde National Park is just for you. This immersive experience will allow you to learn first-hand about conservation techniques and initiatives critical to protecting Malawi's wildlife. The data you collect will inform conservation strategies, ensuring threatened species have a bright future.
From £920