Returning home

VSO understands that returning after your placement can sometimes seem a bigger culture shock to you than going away in the first place. VSO provides support to returned volunteers as they settle in to life back home.

Professional support

A volunteer placement brings added professional development at any stage of your career. It will stretch your professional capabilities; VSO placements enable more responsibility earlier in a career than one would gain at home, and give those nearing retirement a special way to share their skills with the global community for the greater good and offer a new professional challenge.

We take your professional development seriously. Before you go overseas, you’ll undergo a programme of online and residential training. You have the opportunity to work towards an accredited Foundation Certificate in ‘Professional Skills in International Development’ during your pre-departure training, as well as VSO-linked Post Graduate qualifications while on placement.

On your return, we’ll provide you with information for re-employment and careers advice to help you settle back in your home country.

Supporting VSO

There are lots of ways that returned volunteers (RVs) can continue their involvement with VSO. Previously RVs have taken part in VSO events, given talks to staff and potential volunteered, campaigned and fundraised inspired by their placements and become involved in VSO’s campaigns and advocacy work.

Next steps