Pod Volunteer Reviews

Name: Pod Volunteer
Address: 5, Noverton Lane, Cheltenham, Prestbury
Rating: 4.77

4.8 Rating 488 Reviews

97 %

of reviewers recommend Pod Volunteer

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4.8

Based on 488 reviews

Customer Service
Communication Channels	Email, Telephone, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In	Under An Hour
Customer Service	4.8 out of 5

About Pod Volunteer:

Pod Volunteer is an award winning non-profit organisation arranging ethical, inspiring and supported volunteering opportunities around the world since 2001

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Email:

info@podvolunteer.org

Location:

5, Noverton Lane, Cheltenham
Prestbury
GL52 5BA

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Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 5th October 2024

Helen F

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 23rd September 2024

Elise G

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 14th September 2024

Sue E

248

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

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“I would recommend this volunteering placement, not only was it fun but actually felt like I cont ributed to the well being of the animals, truely inspiring. I would like to thank all involved”

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Posted 8 years ago

“I am a fit and adventurous 73 year old and having lost my wife a year ago I had to decide how I was to spend my life without her. One thing I decided was to look into volunteer work abroad but had no idea whether at my age I would be considered but in any case having knew of POD I went to their website.I have had close contact with family children etc and still do.It was my obvious choice.I made my contact and Ellie guided me through the application process with an acceptance for me after a very short time and with great kindness. Due to commitments at home I could only take a 2 week break.My placement was in Somerset West,approx 40/50 kilometres down the coast from Cape Town,in a typical Township at Macassar.My project was called 'Step by Step' run by a lovely lady called Thobela ably assisted by several members of her family.They took in children from the township aged between 2- 8 year and looked after,fed,played with and taught them the basics of English among many other things.I couldn't believe that I had been placed somewhere that all my wildest dreams could have wished. On my first day(should have been an official day off) I was warmly welcomed and expected by Thobela,Mum and the rest of her family helpers,and of course the children who were meeting for the first time 'Uncle Peter' who they had heard so much. I adored being there and looked forward every morning at 7am to be picked up by my provided transport to take me to Step by Step.The children were adorable and we all 'clicked' straight away.I helped feed the children,wash their hands and face after each of the 3 meals(this was a routine 3 times every day),taught them alongside Thobela,played games,sang,danced and had great times with them.Played football on the 'sports field' with the boys( I don't think that they often had the chance to play with a man),hoola hoop etc with the girls,and we even had a sports day(special on my last day) when the children insisted that I took part in a race. This experience was life changing to me and would recommend it to everyone,especially you seniors,its never to late.Thank you everyone at POD and all the wonderful people I met in beautiful South Africa. xxx”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Super helpful and friendly.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“I had a wonderful time at the Belize Zoo. I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to do their volunteer work there. The staff were awesome and took so much pride in their work, the care of ALL the animals, and the behind the scenes work areas. There is so much to do to assist with all of the animals placed at the zoo. The TEC where I stayed was so nice and peaceful and the staff there as well were very nice and helpful. The food was always good, (it was a lot of chicken and rice), LOL. Over all if I could, I would go back every year to help. I made friends that I am still in contact with which really made me feel right at home. I never once, going by myself, felt threatened being over there not knowing anyone. Several of my friends here at home, were afraid for me to go alone due to it being out of the country, but it was a pleasant experience. With the exception of not being picked up at the hotel, but it was okay. Things happen.....”

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Posted 8 years ago

“The service given both before, during and after my placement was brilliant. There was a comprehensive information booklet sent to me before the project which covered everything and a nominated person I could email or speak to who had been on the placement about any queries or concerns I had. I would definitely book with pod again.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Absolutely fantastic. Had lots of support and erin kept in contact like she promised”

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Posted 8 years ago

“My trip was so well organized and every little detail was covered in POD's volunteering guide. It really took any stress out of the trip and they answered any questions I had really quickly. I would definitely recommend volunteering through POD”

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Posted 8 years ago

“I spent 2 weeks at the elephant research centre in South Africa and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Pod were extremely helpful and organised before during and after my visit. The placement was amazing being so close to the elephants was magical and I met lots of lovely people from all around the world. I would recommend booking with pod to anyone.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“The trip was fantastic and everything went very smoothly.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Pod was incredibly helpful in organising my volunteering and once there the project in India I went to was amazingly run and seemed to really be making a difference. The ethical nature of the volunteering with Pod is great and I would highly recommend it!”

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Posted 8 years ago

“There is so much I have to say about this project but I'm worried anything I do say will sound clichéd as it really was the best thing I have ever done. All of the volunteers I met signed up for this trip for different reasons, whether it was a break from the daily grind at their job back home, a gap year, a thirst for travel, or a way to give back to the world. For me, I had always dreamt of travelling to India but kept making excuses for not going. There was always something: my job, my family, my health, my home. Eventually I realised that the longer I left it, the more things I would have tying me down and I might never have the opportunity to do something like this again. So I did something crazy and I signed up for a couple of weeks Community Education in India. I'd never travelled alone, never been away from home for more than a few days, and certainly hadn't travelled anywhere as far away as India. And it was the best decision I have ever made. I was completely taken care of & supported every step of the way by the UK POD team (no matter how many stupid questions I bothered Gemma with!) and was instantly welcomed with warmth and love by Ravi, Gaurav & Neha at the volunteer placement. They always went out of their way to make sure myself and the other volunteers were looked after, whatever questions we had or support we needed. They bent over backwards to help us, and I cannot express how grateful I am to them for their hospitality and their drive to bring change to their communities. Their approached every project with optimism, dedication and love, and their energy & drive was completely infectious. Although a lot of the situations we saw children and their families living in were heartbreaking, their joy and kindness overwhelmed any problem they had. It was an absolute joy & privilege to meet and work with every single child and adult. Although I was on the Community Education programme, they taught me more than I could ever have known before I booked this trip. It truly was the most rewarding experience you could ever have & I urge anyone with even a remote interest in volunteering abroad to try to break out of their comfort zone and book themselves a journey. It’s a bumpy ride, but the destination is so worth it! After all, where else could you start your day watching the sunrise from a mountaintop temple, enjoy some rooftop yoga before breakfast, contribute to life-changing education at school, watch the sunset from the legendary Monsoon Palace, enjoy a traditional Rajasthan dance and puppet show and finish the evening with dinner overlooking the peaceful lakes of Udaipur all in one day? (True story)”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Excellent organisation. All aspects from our initial enquiry through to the volunteering itself were managed thoroughly. Volunteering in India was excellent and local organisation (STEP) were brilliant. Loved our 5 weeks!”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Pod was helpful and professional from the very start. They were always fast to answer my questions, and provided me with all the information I needed to be successful on my volunteer placement. I would absolutely volunteer through them again.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Volunteering through POD Volunteer made the experience so easy from the moment of inquiry through to the departure. With ongoing support along the way I was able to enjoy my experience with no stresses and I had an absolutely incredible time.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“POD Volunteer made my trip to Belize smooth and easy. When ever I had questions that needed answers or I needed to ensure that my trip would be a success Erin was always available. Working through POD Volunteer was hassle and stress free and that is how traveling outside the country should be. I am glad I booked my volunteering trip through POD. I would refer this organization to anybody looking to travel abroad for a reasonable price.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Life changing experience thanks to this amazing organisation, that brings you closer to your very own heart”

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Posted 8 years ago

“This was my first time ever doing any type of volunteer work or traveling over seas! What an epic adventure this was to go experience South Africa and the elephants at Knysna Elephant Park. From beginning to end this adventure was seamless and smooth as silk. It was such a rich atmosphere to be volunteering with people from all around the world with similar interests. This program was well organized, friendly and very comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised at the weather and how comfortable it was and glad I brought some warm clothes as well since I thought it would be unbearably hot, but it was not at all, just very comfortable with realatively NO humidity which I was so thankful for.”

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Posted 8 years ago

“The reef conservation at Tom Owens Caye is an excellent place to learn about reef conservation and an amazing place to learn to dive. The island is beautiful the diving is top rate, and the staff is very experienced. Meals are amazing, all sorts of different types of fish to try, they even accommodated a women who was gluten free. The spear fishing was great and the lionfish tasty. The instructors were wonderful, patient, informative and instilled you with confidence. We look forward to new dive certificates and experiences, hopefully at Tom Owens Caye!”

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Posted 8 years ago

“POD volunteering offered an affordable price, some great guidence and an amazing experience!”

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Posted 8 years ago

“Name: Sarah Age: 18 Hi to all of those looking to volunteer abroad and are unsure of a company in which to represent you on your travels. through my experiences I would most definitely recommend Pod volunteer, they are a great organisation that do so much to the lives of small volunteering businesses out in India such as social tourism empowers people. that haven't yet built up much of a following but do so much to the lives of children in the area of Udaipur. I have been so greatful for the experiences I got to share out in india with other volunteers. it has been a pleasure to have pod volunteer help me through all of the tricky documents, I would never have been able to get out there without them and I would most defiantly use pod volunteer again in the future.”

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Posted 8 years ago

Pod Volunteer is rated 4.8 based on 488 reviews