Gap Years and Voluntary Work
Find information about taking a gap year after Sixth Form, and explore local and national volunteering opportunities.
Gap year opportunities
A gap year is a popular option with many students, and give you the chance to travel, work, and get a wide range of experience before tackling Higher Education. It is important that you think carefully about your personal safety when planning a gap year, and we recommend you pursue official opportunities and programmes, as well as taking advice about health, safety and insurance issues.
Explore these websites to give you inspiration and more information about potential gap year opportunities.
- Project Trust (a charity offering international volunteering opportunities)
- Year Out Group (gap year travel programmes as well as help and advice)
- Prospects (advice, ideas and planning guidance)
- Independent Gap Advice (advice and information for young people)
- EDT (a UK-wide education charity offering placements in STEM companies)
Voluntary work
If you hope to apply for a course which requires relevant work experience such as a social work course, you may wish to consider volunteering to enhance your application and gain vital experience of your chosen career. You may find the following links useful:
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (find local volunteering opportunities)
- Voluntary Service Overseas (an international charity offering overseas opportunities)
- TSL Kirklees (find local volunteering opportunities in Kirklees)
- King’s Trust (support to develop skills to find a job or start a business)