Research gap year organisations and projects, urges The Leap

People looking to take part in voluntary work abroad should ensure they do their research on gap year organisations, it has been claimed.

Alice Baines, overseas placement manager and past volunteer at The Leap, said people need to make the most of their year out, and this means choosing a reputable provider.

She claimed that while most gap years are money well spent, there are programmes and organisations out there "that don't necessarily organise and administer money as well as others".

"The responsibility unfortunately lies with the volunteer to discern one company from the next," Ms Baines stated.

"But the Year Out Group can be incredibly helpful and I also looking at any awards that the company has had, how long they have been running, is really useful."

She suggested it is a hard choice selecting a gap year organisation and program - and not one that can be taken lightly.

"Don't underestimate the amount of time you'll need to spend researching, calling around [and] asking questions," Ms Baines added.

"Don't just go for the first thing that you find, but make sure that as a volunteer, you are looking at exactly what you get for your money."

She said it is not always possible to compare one project to another in terms of price, as some will include extras such as food and project leaders to look after participants, while others will not.

"There might be some programmes which include language lessons, so it is really important that you read the small print and make sure you understand exactly what you are getting for your money before you sign up for anything," Ms Baines stated.

A member of the Year Out Group, The Leap organises gap year programs in Africa, Asia and South America.

Check out all the different gap year programs on offer.