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

Company Reviews

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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

Sort by: Most Recent Most Recent Highest Rated Filter: None None 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars Helpful

“Pod Volunteer set me up with a great charity called Village by Village located in Ghana. The Pod staff were extremely helpful in helping me plan and organise my trip. There is such a range of projects for you to choose from. They guide you through the admin and documents needed for travelling whilst providing a thorough guide of the project and location you will be joining. Very friendly staff, who are willing to answer any questions you have. Would definitely recommend.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“Pod Volunteer made my experience at Reserva Playa Tortuga (turtle conservation volunteering) very smooth: very clear communication, great at answering any questions I had, useful info pack that explained everything very well. Only thing I would have wanted would have been more info provided on the actual schedule at the reserve, but I enjoyed all the activities I did anyway so it didn’t matter. Pod Volunteer made it easy and straightforward for me to volunteer abroad, feel like I’m part of something, however small that contribution may be, and make lots of new friends.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“I volunteered on the turtle conservation project in Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece for two weeks. It was one of the most challenging, rewarding and unique experiences of my life so far! Alex from Pod Volunteer was very supportive and clear with the application process, and checked up on my progress in Greece as well which was really nice - I felt like I could ask any questions I needed to at any time. The work was not what I expected but a very honest insight into a conservation career - we volunteered long hours, in hot conditions, and cycling and walking for hours every day made it physically strenuous. But if you were willing to put in the effort it was incredibly rewarding and the challenge of it made me feel like I was making a real difference to the organisation's amazing conservation work. I will never forget the night surveys; these involved walking along the beaches from 10pm til 5:30am looking for nesting turtles, and I got to hold the shell of a beautiful female while her tags were checked and measurements taken. Walking for hours under the stars was surreal. I was also incredibly lucky to see hatchlings on my last day, despite it being earlier than usual hatchling season, and being able to hold a newly hatched turtle and watch it crawl to the sea was again a moment I will never forget. Overall, I would recommend this experience to anyone with a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard - it has convinced me that I want to pursue nature conservation as a career, I have made so many amazing memories, become stronger as a person and met friends for life! Thank you Pod for this opportunity!”

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Posted 2 years ago

“I am so glad I discovered Pod Volunteer. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of volunteering and working. I had an amazing experience with the website and the information and the organisers that I talked to. Thank you very much I will definitely be using Pod Volunteer to find my next volunteering adventure.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“I had an amazing time in Costa Rica on the turtle and wildlife conservation project. I saw so much wildlife and learnt so much about local plants and animals, and conservation issues in Costa Rica. The staff at the project were so knowledge and passionate about what they do. They looked after us and helped us book activities in our spare time. The highlight for me was finding a rare hawksbill turtle nest, and knowing that we've given all 167 eggs the best chance of survival. It is a good feeling to be able to do something for a critically endangered species. I have also never walked so much in such a short period of time! Alex from pod was really helpful in getting everything sorted out for my trip and checking in to make sure everything was going well. I would recommend this to anyone, whether for a personal challenge, an opportunity to do something really different or to pursue an interest in conservation. For me, it has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and an experience I will never forget.”

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Posted 2 years ago

Thanks so much Rachael, brilliant to hear about your volunteering experience in Costa Rica. That's awesome about finding the rare hawksbill turtle nest - hope as many hatch as possible! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 2 years ago

“Overall, the experience at the elephant sanctuary was as advertised. Being around the elephants was magical and the accommodations were as advertised. However, two things about our experience were concerning. First, it was never made clear- or we missed it, that POD is more of a third party broker and has no direct ties to the organization we were placed with. No of the other volunteers were POD volunteers. We were not given the site location (address) or name until right before we left for the trip. This felt shady. Second, the staff at the sanctuary kept to themselves at a separate but nearby table during meals and free time and smoked excessively. It didn’t feel very friendly or inviting and did not go unnoticed by other volunteers. One of the staff was pregnant and she still was chain smoking and drinking on occasion. Not a good look regardless of whether or not this is an acceptable practice there.”

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Posted 2 years ago

Hi David, thank you for your feedback and I’m very pleased to hear your experience with the elephants was so enjoyable. I would like to respond to the points regarding POD to explain a little more and clarify a few things. We are indeed a volunteer agency so I’m sorry if this wasn’t clearer, we have had a partnership with the rescue centre in Thailand since 2004 and have sent them many volunteers as well as provided regular grants through our charity so we have a very close and tied association with them. We send volunteers throughout the year and there were other POD volunteers in the week you were there so I’m sorry if you didn’t have a chance to meet them. It may have been missed but we gave you the name of the centre when you first booked on in 2020 and then again in 2022 when your trip was reconfirmed after we rescheduled your trip due to Covid. We give the full address when travel details are confirmed, which was quite close to departure in your case as we were waiting for you to confirm your hotel so we could arrange a transfer for you. For your points regarding the local staff, I have passed these on to the team in Thailand to review. I hope you enjoyed your other travels in Thailand. Best wishes, Alex (Director)

Posted 2 years ago

“Conservation program experience at the Pod Volunteers centre in Koh Tao, Thailand - Riva Raghavan, age 13, Mumbai As the days that I spent with the conservation team on Koh Tao quickly passed by, the days here in Mumbai feel longer than ever wishing that I could live in the experience that a had a few weeks ago. The conservation program allowed me to explore my passion and love for marine life with various skills and various branches all under conservation. Every morning we had a lecture from 9:30-10:30. Usually, lectures for me are associated with sleep and boredom but these lectures weren’t making my eyes droop or making me feel drowsy. They actually opened up my mind to various questions that made me more curious than ever. After the lecture we would get a 30 minute break and then head out for our dive of that day. Each dive was a different subtopic under conservation. Some dives were monitoring and some we were physically making a difference! From the various dives we had my favourite one had to be the Drupella snail one! We picked up drupella snails (threats to corals) with tongs and then measured them once we were up on shore. This pattern is what I did everyday for a month and I simply loved it. I would definitely recommend the conservation program to you whether you are older than me or younger than me, everyone with the right mindset can make an impact! I feel that this program was a great use of my summer holidays as I had the best holiday ever and I learnt a lot of new things about the ocean. The New Heaven Team welcomed my dad and I and made us feel like we were at home. The encouraging and the motivating crew made our experience a thousand times better. The first week I had problems equalising my ears but my instructors Khan, Pod and Dev helped me believe that I could do it and then after that my problems vanished into thin air. I would absolutely go back to Pod Volunteers. I really can’t express my gratitude and love I have for their entire team. Thank you Kirsty, Dev, Pod, Khan and all the others who helped me accomplish a more knowledgable and experienced person that I was when I first arrived.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“My first time booking a volunteering holiday so was a little nervous, but Pod were so helpful. The docs they sent me had all the information I needed without me having to ask any follow up questions. They kept me fully apprised of the Covid situation on the lead up to my departure, and provided me with all the admin requirements required which made the preparation for the trip run exceptionally smoothly. Can't recommend them highly enough.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“Incredibly helpful and super informative! I felt confident and comfortable heading to South Africa for the Elephant Conservation program and it became an unforgettable experience!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 6th May 2022

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Posted 2 years ago

“I went to Cintsa Horses in South Africa for a couple of weeks as my DofE residential. The time I've had here has been one of the best in my life, experiencing far more than just the life on the farm. Alex at POD has been amazing throughout planning the trip and supporting me while I've been out here - customer care has been personal and flexible for an outstanding service.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“My time working in Ghana was a wonderful experience that I will remember first ever. It is truly life changing and rewarding to know that you are helping people who need your help, whether in schools, or in the villages doing building, or just by bringing good energy to the communities you work in. The people are all lovely and welcoming. During my time there, I helped construct a toilet, made a video for the charity base, and did photography on lots of different projects in 8 schools in the local area focusing on clean hands, clean water etc. I would really reccomend working through Pod Volunteer to make a difference and help those in need as the charities are always in need of volunteers to keep budgeting going in schools and ensure the children have clean water to drink and to wash their hands with. With your help, we can really make a difference to as many individuals as possible.”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 26th April 2022

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Posted 2 years ago

“Pod volunteer was incredibly helpful both before I went and whilst I was volunteering. The staff were helpful and friendly and checked in with me regularly to make sure everything was running smoothly.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“I cannot recommend Pod Volunteer enough. I've just volunteered in Costa Rica for 2 weeks and I had an amazing time. The team are so helpful and are always on hand if you need them.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“Pod volunteering were extremely easy to deal with, honest and open from day one. The volunteering experience was very well organised and rewarding, I will be back in a heart beat.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“Just returned from volunteering with horses in South Africa and was very happy with service provided by Pod Volunteer and the hospitality shown by family providing placement. Communication and advice pre project excellent and would definitely consider another placement in future.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“The organization was very good, the contact was always possible even via phone. The volunteering experience itself was also worth the money spend.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“Quite simply being a Pod volunteer turned out to be one of the best weeks of my whole life! Words simply cannot describe how good it was to work as a volunteer amongst elephants. Do go prepared to work, it's not a holiday, but worth every single moment. The pre-travel information was clear and accurate and the arrangements in South Africa were perfectly organised. Finally don't think you're too old. I'm 61 and loved every minute of the whole experience!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 6th March 2022

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Posted 2 years ago

“POD have always been very helpful and know what they are talking about. When my flights got delayed they were brilliant at helping me get it sorted and checkdd in afterwards to make sure everything g went ok. Spending 10 days in Costa Rica at KSTF was fantastic and really rewarding and the animals were wonderful. Loved it.”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 24th February 2022

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Posted 2 years ago

“Pod volunteer was always there for me promptly and in the friendliest manner, thus providing me with tremendous support. The wonderful team prepared me well for a fantastic time in Ghana. Thank you very much for the arrangement!”

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Posted 2 years ago

“Absolutely incredible organisation who helped me plan the trip of a lifetime! Alex is great and is always on hand to answer any questions you may have and help with your volunteer journey. If you are looking to volunteer look no further, Pod volunteer is the company to book your volunteer journey with. Costa Rica was a dream come true, so thank you!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 21st January 2022

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Posted 2 years ago

Pod Volunteer is rated 4.8 based on 488 reviews