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What will I do?

Our ICS programme offers 12 week, fully funded volunteering placements to young people aged 18-25 from the UK and Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Mozambique and Nepal. Volunteers work together in a diverse team made up of both local and UK volunteers, to support the development projects of one of our local partner organisations in Southern Africa and South Asia. 

ICS is an incredible journey, made up of three distinct stages: fundraising, a twelve-week overseas placement and action at home. Each stage of the ICS journey is designed to give you the opportunity to learn new life and leadership skills and make a real impact in the world you live in.

The video here is a montage of clips filmed by our ICS volunteers on placement in 2014.

 

 1. Preparing to depart and fundraising

Skillshare ICS volunteers at pre departure training

ICS is open and accessible to everyone. Taking part won't cost you a thing. We cover the cost of your flights, visas, vaccinations, travel and medical insurance, food and accommodation. For more information about the ICS expenses policy please click here.

We do ask you to commit to fundraising a minimum of £800 before departing for your in-country placement. This helps show that you're committed to the programme and starts you on your journey of active citizenship. Don’t worry though; you get assigned a dedicated Fundraising Support Officer to give you one-to-one guidance and helpful tips on how to reach your target.

You will also be invited to attend a training weekend before you depart to meet the rest of your team and to make sure you are prepared for your placement.

 

2. Overseas placement

You will spend 12 life-changing weeks volunteering with one of our partner organisations in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique or Nepal. You will be working with a local community, from its heart, on one of our projects that fight poverty and change lives for the better.  

Girls playing football

You will work in a team made up of volunteers from the UK and volunteers from the local community, to reach out to disadvantaged young people and tackle some of the most pressing issues facing them. Our ICS projects focus on empowering:

  • Children and young people living on the streets
  • Girls and women
  • People living with disabilities
  • People living with and affected by HIV/AIDS

Our projects use sport, games and fun activities as a way to engage young people and get them thinking and acting upon issues that have a huge impact on their quality of life.

As we are a youth focused charity, an interest in working with young people or children is required to apply for Skillshare ICS. However, a background in playing sport, or leading games and activities, whilst useful, is NOT essential. We will provide training in how to lead activities to educate young people on issues such as HIV and substance misuse.

 

 

Past ICS volunteer Dolly continuing her journey of active citizenship

 3. Action at home

Once you have completed your placement, this is not the end of your ICS journey!

We hope you will be inspired by the experience and committed to continuing to make a difference once you return home. We will support you to complete an Action at Home to share your experience on placement with your community. This could range from raising awareness on a development issue to volunteering or fundraising – the bigger you go, the more impact you will have! 

 

Apply Now

On the application form there is a drop-down box asking where you heard about ICS. Make sure that you select 'Skillshare International'!