Application

What is the Orientation Interview?

At BUNAC we believe that each volunteer should be treated as an individual. All participants will attend a one-to-one orientation interview in our London office. It’s not a formal interview, but a chance for us to get to know more about you and your reasons for volunteering. We’ll discuss the types of projects you’re interested in and issues such as health and security to help prepare you for your time in Ghana.

It’s also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you might have. If you’d like to apply but can’t travel to London for an interview, please call us on 020 7251 3386 to discuss alternative arrangements.

If my application is unsuccessful will I get my deposit back?

If BUNAC rejects your application at any stage you’ll receive a full refund of your programme deposit. We have a 7 day cooling off period, so if you feel that you’re not suited to the programme and you contact us within 7 days of attending the orientation interview you can cancel and receive a full refund (less £35 administration fee). More information regarding cancellation refunds is included within the Terms and Conditions which form part of the online application.

What is a police check?

As part of our 'Responsible Approach', each participant must provide a police background check before they travel. For this programme the required check is called a Basic Disclosure, which you apply for through Disclosure Scotland. A Disclosure is a document containing impartial and confidential criminal history information held by the police and government departments about an individual. All residents of the UK are able to apply for this in their own name via the Disclosure Scotland website. The check costs £25 and takes approximately 14 days to process. Once received you should send the original document to BUNAC. If you already hold a CRB from an existing or recent employer issued within 3 months we can accept this as an alternative to the Basic Disclosure.

What medical advice does BUNAC offer?

BUNAC is pleased to have teamed up with Interhealth, a charity which specialises in providing health advice for overseas workers. Your programme cost includes membership to Interhealth and as part of your application process you will complete an on-line medical screening to ensure that you are suitable for the challenge of volunteering in a developing country. Following the screening you will receive comprehensive medical advice regarding inoculations specific to your destination along with some general travel health advice. Your programme cost also includes post-trip clean bill of health screening and on going remote health care advice through Interhealth.

The inoculations you may require will vary depending on your destination and also your personal medical history so it is very difficult to provide a guide to the typical cost. However, please be aware that whilst some injections are relatively cheap others (specifically anti malarials) can be very expensive. Interhealth will provide you with further information following your screening.

Flights, Visas & Insurance

Can I book my own flights?

BUNAC’s travel partner is STA Travel and they will help you to book your flights to and from your destination. We will discuss this during your interview. If you’d prefer to make alternative plans then you’re more than welcome to as long as you arrive in time for the start of the orientation. Please make sure you provide BUNAC with proof of your return trip so that we can arrange your airport pick up.

Do I need to apply for a visa?

We want to make sure your trip preparation is as easy as possible so BUNAC will apply for a single entry visa on your behalf. This visa currently costs £40. You will be issued an initial 60 days entry. Any extension after that will be the responsibility of the volunteer which currently costs around £20 per additional month. Our local partner will be able to help you with the extension process.

Do I need insurance?

Yes. BUNAC offers a fully comprehensive insurance policy that has been arranged with Endsleigh, one of the UK’s leading insurance companies. The BUNAC policy is compulsory for this programme. You can read more about the insurance policy here.

Volunteer Placement

How many people take part in the programme?

Numbers vary but we would normally expect up to 10 BUNAC participants on each arrival date. Our Ghanaian partner will also receive volunteers from other countries so the arrival orientation will be an exciting opportunity to meet volunteers from all over the world.

What is the arrival orientation?

The orientation is a great opportunity for you to be introduced to the country and its culture. It is included in the programme cost and our local hosts will discuss volunteering, health and safety issues and you’ll also get the chance to take part in cultural workshops. The orientation will provide you with useful information, interesting tours and enable you to meet other volunteers on the programme.

When will my place on a project be confirmed?

We believe that it’s important to consider the needs of the community and the preferences of the volunteer equally. Our partner works closely with all of the projects, monitoring their activities and placing volunteers where they feel they’ll be able to make the most worthwhile contribution.

We’ll discuss your choice in detail during the orientation interview, where we can provide more information about what to expect and jointly agree on the most suitable type of placement for you. Your application information is sent to Ghana so that an appropriate placement can be found and you’ll be sent confirmation and details of your work and accommodation arrangements approximately 4 weeks before your trip.

How many hours will I work for?

Hours vary from placement to placement. Generally you can expect to be at your project Monday-Friday for about 4-6 hours a day but start times vary. There will be opportunities for you to be proactive and look at other areas in the community where you may be able to lend a hand. This could involve setting up after school clubs, sports events and offering one-to-one lessons.

Will I be placed with other volunteers?

It is possible that you may share accommodation or be working at the same project as another volunteer but we cannot guarantee this as it is based on individual placement preferences and availability. Ultimately BUNAC's volunteer programmes offer a lot of support, but they are intended to be independent experiences where the individual can gain through working amongst the local people.

Can I go for less than 2 months?

Volunteer Ghana placements run for a period of 2-6 months. We believe that a volunteer wouldn’t be able to accomplish much or feel satisfied with their participation on a project if they were there for a period shorter than the required minimum. In fact, feedback from previous volunteers suggests that many people wish they’d committed to longer!

Can I extend my stay?

In most cases it will be possible to extend your volunteer programme whilst you are away. Specific arrangements are made through our local partner and are subject to the availability of accommodation and projects.

Will there be opportunities to travel during my stay?

Definitely! We encourage volunteers to take time out either before or at the end of their placement to explore more of the country. During your placement you will generally have weekends free to travel. Our local partners in Ghana will be able to give you advice on where to go and what to see. Whether you visit the lush jungle and banana plantations of the South or the Game Parks of the North, Ghana is a great country to combine a volunteering placement with backpacking.

How much spending money should I take?

It’s difficult to give an exact figure, as it depends on what you choose to do while you’re in Ghana. We recommend that you anticipate spending £175 per month whilst you are volunteering to cover your daily needs. However, if you intend to travel at weekends or have plans for post programme travels we recommend that you take extra.

How can I find out more?

If you have any further questions on Volunteer Ghana, please call the BUNAC Volunteer team on 020 7251 3386 or e-mail volunteer@bunac.org.uk