Why Choose Be More?

Deciding who to volunteer with is a big decision. There are certain things you should know when deciding on an organization. Here is why we think Be More is one of the best organizations in the UK with whom you can volunteer and make a difference to grassroots organizations.

Be More is an ethical, charitable organization that works for long term, sustainable change at our partner projects in South Africa. We thrive on volunteer feedback and are constantly searching for ways to make our volunteer program the best it can be for both volunteers and our partner projects.

Please call us if you have any questions. We'd be more than happy to speak  with you!

You will receive lots of support!

Be More Volunteers receive lots of support before, during and after their volunteer experience. Read more about all our volunteer services:

What’s Included!  

• Pre-Departure Email & Phone Support
  If you have any questions before you leave we will always do our best to answer them as soon as possible. We are always happy to hear from you and can answer any questions you may have about volunteering, your project, South Africa, technical stuff, donations, etc.
• Pre-Departure Preparation Day in UK
  We want our volunteers to be as prepared as possible for their trip and so  volunteers are all asked to attend a Preparation Day in London, 1- 3 months before their departure. Each Prep Day is held in small groups of about 10 volunteers and lasts approximately 6 hours. It covers important topics such as cultural differences, development issues, practical info on volunteering and our projects. It also gives everyone the opportunity to meet their fellow volunteers and speak to us in person. It is a fun day that we hope leaves our volunteers prepared and motivated for their volunteer experience! Find out more about our Preparation Days here.
• Extensive Travel Pack
  Upon confirmation of a placement, each volunteer will receive an extensive Travel Pack from us. This pack includes important names and numbers, emergency contact info, practical information about healthcare, vaccinations, booking flights and trips as well as advice on fundraising and our donations procedures and much more!
• Personal Be Buddy (former volunteer)
  Before volunteering, volunteers often have dozens of small questions and worries. Be More can help answer these questions but we know its often more reassuring to hear some of these things from a former volunteer who has been to the same project! Thus, all Be More volunteers receive their own Be Buddy. Be Buddies are former volunteers who have been to the same project and who will answer any questions about volunteering, Be More and South Africa from their own perspective.
• Access to Be More Community
  The Be More Community is an online meeting place and forum where prospective, current and former volunteers can stay up to date on Be More events and news. Confirmed volunteers are given access to a password protected zone in which they can keep track of their application, order marketing materials and sponsorship forms, post weblog messages, keep in contact with their projects, fellow volunteers and Be Buddy. Check it out at http://www.community.be-more.org.
• Be More Weblog 
  All Be More volunteers receive a personal weblog that they use to keep their friends and family updated on their experience through photos and stories. Reading volunteer weblogs is also a great way for prospective volunteers to know what to expect. Take a look at some of them here.
• Fundraising Support 
  
  Although it is not required, many volunteers decide that they would like to raise donation funds for their project. Be More offers volunteers lots of support to be able to do this. In addition to the materials that can be download from the Be More Community, we are happy to help design posters and invitations for events, offer lots of tips and advice and provide support to the best of our abilities. One of the best things about fundraising for your project is that you get to help decide how your donation is spent to support the project while you are in South Africa. You can then see the results of your efforts and send pictures and stories back to your sponsors all while you are still in South Africa!
• Donation to your Project 
  
  Be More believes it is important to also offer our partner projects financial support to help them continue their amazing work, thus, all volunteer payments include a small donation to the projects. In addition, we seek out grants to support our partner projects with their sustainable and capacity building projects.
• Introduction at your Project
  The first few days in South Africa will consist of an introduction at the project. The project coordinators will show volunteers around, give important information on the project and surrounding area, explain how things work and how volunteers can help to make a difference.
• In Country Support while at Project
  
  In addition to all the support volunteers receive before they depart, they will also receive support while at the project. Project Coordinators are your main point of contact who will welcome you at the project, make you feel at home and with whom you can go to with any questions or issues. You will also meet once per week with a Be More Coordinator who works in your region to discuss your goals and how things are going, and address any questions or issues.
• Transport to / from the Project and Airport
  You will be met on arrival at your project's local airport. Transport to and from the airport on your arrival and departure is arranged for you and included in your volunteer costs. You will also be transported to and from your project each day and transport is available when necessary for your volunteer work.
• Accommodation
  Be More consciously decides to place volunteers in volunteer accommodation that is separate to the project. Because volunteer work can sometimes be tiring and emotional it is important for volunteers to be able to properly relax when they are not working. Accommodation usually consists of shared bedrooms, a kitchen and living area and includes all major appliances. It is always near to the project and often close to local amenities, shopping and internet cafe's.
• Food & Drinks
  Each week volunteers go shopping together to buy the week's groceries. You decide which foods to buy and prepare meals together each night. Food costs are included in your volunteer costs, luxury items are not included of course.
• South African Sim Card 
  
  Upon arrival you will receive a  South African Sim Card so that you can stay in contact with your fellow volunteers and project. This is also a great way to stay in contact with family back home. Make sure to take a sim unlocked phone with you.
• Certificate of Participation
  After your volunteer experience we will send you a Certificate of Participation to show that you have dedicated yourself as a volunteer to a development project.

We are a British charity!

Be More is a British Charity (registered in England and Wales No. 1116179) that supports non-profit, grassroots organizations in South Africa by providing them with capacity building grants and volunteers. We are governed by a Board of Trustees (read more about our Board) and have one full time member of staff and many volunteers.

We are affordable!

Volunteering abroad can be expensive, especially when you volunteer with a large for profit company. Because we are a charity and our mission is to promote development issues and support grassroots projects, we keep our own as well as your costs to a minimum! You will find when looking at our costs page that we have some of the lowest volunteer fees you will find and we offer much more support in comparison to other volunteer organizations.

We tell you exactly how your fee is spent and where your money goes!

The amount you pay to volunteer covers your individual costs: food, accommodation, transport etc. as well as a donation to the overseas project and a fee to help Be More with our organization costs. A full breakdown of exactly where your volunteer money goes can be found for each project here.

Our partner projects were established and are still run by the local community!

All our partner projects were established and are managed by the local communities. We believe in helping to increase capacity and helping organizations to help themselves. There are thousands of inspirational people already making a difference in their own countries and we want to help them! Thats why we don't run our own projects abroad but rather support existing projects with grants and volunteers. The partner projects we work with offer essential care to orphans, street children, abused women and children and people living with HIV and AIDS. Check them all out here!

Be More is efficient and small!

Be More UK is run by one full time member of staff who receives lots of invaluable support from volunteers! You can read more about all of us here. We are all former volunteers ourselves and care deeply about the people at our partner projects.

We care about what you do when you get back!

Since part of our charitable mission is to create engagement in development issues, we want our volunteer alumni to remain as involved as possible. We will ask you for your evaluation of our program once you return and offer you the opportunity to join the Be Buddy program in which you support new volunteers. You can stay active by becoming a Be More University Representative and you can also help us out in our office, support us at info days, preparation days and other events. Through the Be More Community you can stay in contact with your project and fellow volunteers. and you will still have access to Be More marketing and fundraising support and materials.  In short, we will try to help you in any way that we can!

You can feel good about volunteering with us!

We feel good about working for Be More and you will feel good about volunteering with us!!

Think we're a good choice?
Request our Application!
or
Request our Info Pack!

Want to find out if you would make a good Be More volunteer?
Check out Who Are You