jam Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 For my Gold Duke of Edinburgh's award I have to complete a residential - 5 days and 4 nights away from home doing something productive with a group of people I've never met before. I have found loads of activities which fit the bill, but unfortunately are WAY to expensive. I can understand that some payment is necessary for food and accommodation, but £350 to volunteer to pick apples? I mean really? Would anyone know of any charity, organisation or such group which would require the assistance of an eager (and desperate) 17 year old girl for a week? Preferably in the south-east/ London area, but will travel further if necessary. Any ideas would be gratefully appreciated! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westie mum Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Is Stevenage too far for you to travel? If not have you tried Church Farm in Ardeley they are always looking for people to help out. My daughter is an intern there and loves it. http://www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 How about contacting people like Jimmy Doherty or Hugh FW,to see if they can help? They both have farms & I am sure it would be good for their public profile to be linked to the D of E awards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 The National Trust run residential projects - click I don't know how much they are these days, but they used to be quite good value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Is Stevenage too far for you to travel? If not have you tried Church Farm in Ardeley they are always looking for people to help out. My daughter is an intern there and loves it. http://www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk/ Stevenage is close to me actually, I've had a look at the site and it looks great. I've sent them a quick email. Thank you very much for the suggestion How about contacting people like Jimmy Doherty or Hugh FW,to see if they can help?They both have farms & I am sure it would be good for their public profile to be linked to the D of E awards. That also sounds like an amazing idea! I'll definitely look into that too. Sounds silly, but any ideas how I could actually contact them? Many thanks guys, keep the ideas coming! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 How about contacting local Scout & Guide groups. They take children away for 3-4 days. You would probably have to work with them for a while to build up relationships with the children and leaders and you will need a CRB check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 There's an organisation which provides holidays for disabled people who are always advertising for volunteers in the Guardian on Wednesday's - I think. Can't remember it's name at the moment. But look at the Guardian in the volunteering section maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 My YS has done 2 residential voluntary placements with the National Trust for Scotland (and is doing another one in a fortnight). I think they cost about £160. Obviously Scotland's a bit far away for you, but the National Trust will do similar things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Many, many years ago, I volunteered for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers for a couple of separate weeks in my school holidays and that was definitely cheap ( enough to cover food basically) I was under 18 at the time, I know some farms avoid under-18s for insurance purposes. Sound like you are getting some good ideas, hope you find something you enjoy. All the Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I'd never heard of that, Yvonne, but it looks great for my YS (who's going to Uni to do Biology and Conservation) - it's been bookmarked . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
