Frequently Asked Questions
What makes BVDA different from other voluntary organisations?
BVDA is unique because:
Who can go on project? Can postgraduate students go?
BVDA projects are open for all university of Bristol students to apply to. We do welcome applications from postgraduate students too.
Please note that final year students may miss their summer graduation ceremonies by going on a BVDA project (but it is possible to delay your graduation ceremony to the winter events)
Do I need previous voluntary experience?
No previous voluntary experience is necessary. During selection we aim to ensure that project groups have a diverse range of students, those with volunteering experience and those without volunteering experience.
How else can I get involved in BVDA?
It is possible to get involved in BVDA without volunteering abroad as we could always do with an extra pair of hands. If you are interested then send in an email enquiry to [email protected]
Is BVDA non-profit?
Yes, BVDA is a registered charity (1173282) and is run entirely by unpaid student volunteers from the University of Bristol and our trustee board.
How much does it all cost?
We ask each volunteer to fundraise between £700 and £900. This goes solely towards their project costs. BVDA offer training and support for this throughout the summer term and it is very easy to raise using the support of your group and the BVDA committee. We coordinate bucket collections and sponsored events for volunteers to get involved in as well as support you with group fundraising opportunities. In the previous years, every volunteer met their target and many even managed to over fundraise.
In order to ensure we can support our partners, we ask each volunteer to pay a £295 deposit (£150 at the start of Term 2, and £145 at the end of Term 3). Once you reach your target it is refunded back to you.
We also ask volunteers to pay an admin fee to support the running costs of the charity and your first aid qualification.
Finally, as we want to ensure all the money fundraised for BVDA is donated to our partners abroad and the projects you will be working on, volunteers are expected to cover their own flights, vaccinations and kit.
Do BVDA volunteers get any financial support?
BVDA has a very good relationship with the University's Alumni Foundation as well as the International Office. We often receive a grant on behalf of our students which can be allocated towards personal costs such as flights, vaccinations and kit.
How are volunteers selected?
All people who submit an application form are invited to an informal interview and may be invited to take part in our selection event. Please see our Apply Now page for more information.
How can people get in touch with me on project?
There will be limited internet access whilst on project depending on the resources available on project. For some projects you may only be able to use the internet once a fortnight, whereas it can be weekly or more frequent during other projects. However, taking an unlocked phone and buying a local simcard is an extremely convenient and cheap way of staying in contact with people at home and with other members of your project group.
How long has BVDA been running for?
BVDA was started in 2001 by University of Bristol students.
What if I have a medical condition?
We ask all our volunteers to confidentially share their medical conditions with the President of BVDA and a medically trained member of the Trustee Board upon application. Occasionally, we will ask the volunteer to obtain a medical note from their doctor. This will be paid for by BVDA.
BVDA is unique because:
- We are student led and run entirely by volunteers
- We support each volunteer comprehensively with fundraising and training.
- We benefit from long-term relationships with our partners in the community.
Who can go on project? Can postgraduate students go?
BVDA projects are open for all university of Bristol students to apply to. We do welcome applications from postgraduate students too.
Please note that final year students may miss their summer graduation ceremonies by going on a BVDA project (but it is possible to delay your graduation ceremony to the winter events)
Do I need previous voluntary experience?
No previous voluntary experience is necessary. During selection we aim to ensure that project groups have a diverse range of students, those with volunteering experience and those without volunteering experience.
How else can I get involved in BVDA?
It is possible to get involved in BVDA without volunteering abroad as we could always do with an extra pair of hands. If you are interested then send in an email enquiry to [email protected]
Is BVDA non-profit?
Yes, BVDA is a registered charity (1173282) and is run entirely by unpaid student volunteers from the University of Bristol and our trustee board.
How much does it all cost?
We ask each volunteer to fundraise between £700 and £900. This goes solely towards their project costs. BVDA offer training and support for this throughout the summer term and it is very easy to raise using the support of your group and the BVDA committee. We coordinate bucket collections and sponsored events for volunteers to get involved in as well as support you with group fundraising opportunities. In the previous years, every volunteer met their target and many even managed to over fundraise.
In order to ensure we can support our partners, we ask each volunteer to pay a £295 deposit (£150 at the start of Term 2, and £145 at the end of Term 3). Once you reach your target it is refunded back to you.
We also ask volunteers to pay an admin fee to support the running costs of the charity and your first aid qualification.
Finally, as we want to ensure all the money fundraised for BVDA is donated to our partners abroad and the projects you will be working on, volunteers are expected to cover their own flights, vaccinations and kit.
Do BVDA volunteers get any financial support?
BVDA has a very good relationship with the University's Alumni Foundation as well as the International Office. We often receive a grant on behalf of our students which can be allocated towards personal costs such as flights, vaccinations and kit.
How are volunteers selected?
All people who submit an application form are invited to an informal interview and may be invited to take part in our selection event. Please see our Apply Now page for more information.
How can people get in touch with me on project?
There will be limited internet access whilst on project depending on the resources available on project. For some projects you may only be able to use the internet once a fortnight, whereas it can be weekly or more frequent during other projects. However, taking an unlocked phone and buying a local simcard is an extremely convenient and cheap way of staying in contact with people at home and with other members of your project group.
How long has BVDA been running for?
BVDA was started in 2001 by University of Bristol students.
What if I have a medical condition?
We ask all our volunteers to confidentially share their medical conditions with the President of BVDA and a medically trained member of the Trustee Board upon application. Occasionally, we will ask the volunteer to obtain a medical note from their doctor. This will be paid for by BVDA.
