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Pod Volunteer Reviews

4.8 Rating 493 Reviews
97 %
of reviewers recommend Pod Volunteer
4.8
Based on 493 reviews
Customer Service
Communication Channels
Email, Telephone, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In
Under An Hour
Customer Service
4.8 out of 5
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About Pod Volunteer:

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

Visit Website

Email:

info@podvolunteer.org

Location:

5, Noverton Lane, Cheltenham
Prestbury
GL52 5BA

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Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 23rd January 2025
Emily W
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 20th January 2025
Meagan C
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 20th January 2025
Meagan C
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 20th January 2025
Meagan C
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 20th January 2025
Meagan C
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 20th January 2025
Meagan C
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 5th October 2024
Helen F
254
Anonymous
Anonymous  // 01/01/2019
I dealt with both Becky and Erin for the organisation of my trip to Belize, and really enjoyed the experience. They set my mind at ease and were happy to answer all my questions and have a laugh. The program itself was wonderfully rewarding, and came with all the challenges you would expect with an authentic experience with a completely different culture. I can't wait to do it again, thanks so much for having me!
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Posted 9 years ago
Well detailed website as compared to other volunteer websites. Amazing opportunity to help with the solution of keeping the Cheetahs in existence. Once in a lifetime unforgettable event; best 2 weeks! Erin from POD did great.
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Posted 9 years ago
I loved Pod volunteer as an organization. I liked the fact that we could get all of the information about the placement before registering and paying because I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. I also like that it's an organization that really gives back to their projects overseas, they give you exactly where the money goes, it's good of them to be transparent. It was also easy to contact them before the trip, I felt really cared for. My volunteering experience at the Children's Home in Belize wasn't the greatest however, I went for 2 weeks during the Summer and there wasn't that much to do to help so I was bored most of the time. But it's nothing on the organization itself and if I was going to do another volunteering abroad experience, I would do it again with Pod volunteer.
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Posted 9 years ago
Very helpful and informative for booking flights, etc. The project overviews are not quite accurate for some projects, but overall some great opportunities are available!
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Posted 9 years ago
As my first volunteering experience abroad pod were fantastic providing information and support before during and after . The world is your oyster go exploring and using pod you know someone is keeping an eye on you.
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Posted 9 years ago
Being a POD volunteer is a positive experience, learning new skills and doing something worthwhile. It is reassuring to know there is an efficient organisation supporting you while you're away.
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Posted 9 years ago
I taught English in Nepal for a month with POD and it was an amazing life experience. I met people from all different countries and some of the most welcoming and interesting Nepali people. I had never done anything like this before, but it has definitely ignited my interest in travel and I would do almost anything to go back ro Pokhara again and see more of the country. If I went volunteering again i would definitely come to POD first, because all the staff were friendly and took the time to answer all my questions. They definitely enjoy what they do and their enthusiasm is contagious.
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Posted 9 years ago
Working with Pod for my first trip abroad was a great experience and the people I coordinated with made me feel very comfortable. They were extremely helpful with every question I had, and always responded in a very timely manner. I liked them so much, I booked my second trip through Pod shortly after returning home from the first one! I recommend them to anyone looking to have a great volunteering experience abroad.
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Posted 9 years ago
I volunteered with POD in Nepal for 4 months. Gemma helped me through any hiccups I had when I first arrived. I was fortunate enough to have Janice and Sarah based in Nepal as placement managers. They both helped me so much through the experience and any problems I had. But more than that they were friends. The trip was invaluable to me. Working with the children and establishing a connection and feeling like I was contributing to their learning just a little was very rewarding. It was a very humbling experience which I will treasure. Nepal is a beautiful country and I was fortunate to experience it through other activities like rafting and hiking.
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Posted 9 years ago
Knew what to expect at this venue, very basic accommodations and not real clean, but there was a fan! Unfortunately, we chose one of the hottest weeks with high humidity, but survived. Our goal was to work with the elephants and that experience was as advertised, just wonderful. So now we know all about how to make banana balls, how to harvest banana trees, how to wash, walk and feed the elephants. We are in awe of these amazing animals. Volunteers and staff were welcoming and the teams were entertaining to work with. Also helped out briefly with some of the many animals cared for at camp. This is a huge endeavor and the volunteers are a very valuable asset. We will talk about it for years to come.
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Posted 9 years ago
I would highly recommend POD Volunteer, they were there to answer any questions I had, ally any fears and kept in contact with me throughout, making the whole process seamless. I would not hesitate to use POD Volunteering again and would recommend to anyone.
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Posted 9 years ago
I volunteered with PoD on two separate projects: teaching at a rural children's home in Cambodia for 11 weeks and teaching in a tropical school in Thailand for 6 weeks. I did a lot of research before choosing PoD and my projects and I felt that PoD were promoting ethical volunteering and sustainability within their projects. The people working at the projects: cook, nannies, nurse, doctor, farmers etc. were all local which was important to me as I didn't want to be detracting from local employment in such a poor area. Whilst on the Cambodia project I had to be very independent and was really thrown in at the deep end - I felt that on project support could have been improved; it wasn't until the end of my placement there that I found a volunteer guide book (but even that was outdated). The team at PoD were always reachable by e-mail and before my placement they were happy to answer all my questions. I do feel that the volunteer project booklet needs to be a little more open and up front about the challenges of this project though. I had a wonderful time on both projects - volunteering can be challenging, frustrating and incredibly emotional, but ultimately I found my experience highly rewarding, lots of fun and an unbelieveable adventure that has left me with friends for life and memories I will cherish forever. It is expensive to volunteer in this way, but both projects did seem to be benefiting and there is a breakdown of expenses on PoD's webstite under 'Where the Money Goes' so it's up to you to decide how you feel about it.
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Posted 9 years ago
I volunteered in Thailand for two months, and I can say without an hesitation, these were the best months of my life. Of course, volunteering abroad is not always easy, there are bad or sad moments sometimes. But PoD's people are helping a lot, always taking some news and giving advices. You're never alone !
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Posted 9 years ago
Very helpful! I would recommend to others!
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Posted 9 years ago
Pod looked after me very well, and made sure to sort out everything before my trip! The staff were very helpful and gave me all the necessary info I would need! I regards to my project itself, It was such an amazing experience, and such a worthwhile organisation to get involved with! I would definitely recommend working with pod!
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Posted 9 years ago
Volunteering at the Dell Cheetah Centre was the best experience of my life! PoD Volunteer work with absolutely fantastic organisations, those who are truly dedicated to what they do. PoD don't just leave you on the programme; Erin, the contact linked to the cheetah project was always there before I left for the project, quickly answering any questions I had. She also was in contact throughout and after the project to ensure everything was going well, and also to make sure I was enjoying myself. I am still in touch with the people and friends I made in South Africa, and have seen that some of the money from PoD has been put to very god use.
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Posted 9 years ago
Best experience of my life!
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Posted 9 years ago
PoD helped me achieve my wildest dreams! I was able to go to South Africa and work with children AND elephants. My two favorite things! I had an amazing experience and learned so much. I would go back in a heart beat!
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Posted 9 years ago
Great range of well selected projects. Excellent communication and helpful team- easy to contact before and during placement. Overall fantastic experience with pod volunteer
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Posted 9 years ago
Brilliant company and the most amazingly 2 weeks in India!
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Posted 9 years ago
Pod Volunteer is rated 4.8 based on 493 reviews