Associate Volunteer
Christians Abroad is pleased to be able to support you provided you are working internationally for mission or development whether or not the placement has been arranged by us. If you are travelling independently or have been recruited or are supported by a development or mission agency other than Christians Abroad or associated with a particular church, Christians Abroad is pleased to be of assistance. If you wish to have our support, administrative or otherwise, your relationship to us would be as an ASSOCIATE VOLUNTEER.
Some ASSOCIATE VOLUNTEERS would like help with a choice of project and help with arrangements wiith the project placement, if it is one listed by Christians Abroad, but the volunteer does not want any other assistance. Christians Abroad recognises that this is the only level of support that is required by some volunteers who have travelled widely and lived and worked overseas before. It is suggested that a donation of £200 would help cover the cost to Christians Abroad of providing this service.
Alternatively, other ASSOCIATE VOLUNTEERS may wish Christians Abroad to help with a variety of other services to give assurance and support in such an exciting but challening opportunity. In these circumstances, Christians Abroad can assist the volunteer with any one or all of the following services.;
1. air tickets at charity rates where appropriate. Charity rates are sometimes less expensive but more usually offer extra baggage allowance or greater flexibility should you wish to change the ticket at any time.
2.travel insurance (which includes baggage, emergency, health and accident insurance) for short term visits of up to twelve months duration which does include cover for simple diy and can include cover for the use of hand held power tools
3. long term health insurance to cover a variety of circumstances for those mission or development workers who are overseas for extended periods of over one or two years continuously. This cover includes emergency health and accident insurance including repatriation and can include trip insurance starting from the country where you are living whilst resident outside the UK.
4. for those likely to be resident outside the UK for more than a year, you may be eligible to pay Voluntary Development Worker National Insurance contributions through Christians Abroad as agent. You may only pay such contributions through approved agents who are recognised as working for international development. Such contributions helps protect your state pension entitlement and other state benefits.
5. other insurance products through either Endsleigh or HealthCare International are available through Christians Abroad as agent. It is possible, for example, to purchase a private pension plan or life insurance.
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6. has an arrangement with InterHealth Worldwide which can provide you with a medical check before you go and on your return and provide you with such medical advice as you may need for your work overseas.
7. also works, in England, with the Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service, CCPAS, to provide you with Criminal Records Bureau disclosure checks for your agency or project partner if you are working with children or vulnerable adults. Such checks are also available through appropriate agencies in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
8. provides a distance learning service for preparation for international service before you go which you help tailor to your particular need. Sometimes people already have considerable experience of working overseas or travelling internationally and may need a programme that is more suited to their circumstance.
9. provides e-mail support to mission and development workers whilst working internationally
10. provides an opportunity on return to the United Kingdom and Ireland to review experience and plan for the future from a personal, spiritual and professional perspective.
On occasion, Christians Abroad as agency may receive help financially for the service by a commission already built in to the cost of the service e.g. with insurance this is usually the case. With some services, such as the provision of an agency service for VDW National Insurance contributions, a suggested donation of 8% of the contributions would help cover our costs.No other financial assistance would be expected in these circumstances.
For all other services, Christians Abroad receives no help from other organisations or grant making bodies and, depending on the level of service provided, would suggest donations ranging from £25 - £450 to help cover costs. Where there is financial hardship, Christians Abroad would be pleased to reduce this expectation or happily waive contributions altogether by arrangement.
It is necessary to apply for Associate Volunteer status. Please complete the form below and submit it online. Many thanks.
Christians Abroad Associate Volunteer Application Form