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Pod Volunteer Reviews

4.8 Rating 598 Reviews
97 %
of reviewers recommend Pod Volunteer
4.8
Based on 598 reviews
Customer Service
Communication Channels
Email, Telephone, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In
2 - 3 Hours
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 19th December 2025
Perky H
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 4th October 2025
William D
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 4th October 2025
William D
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 4th October 2025
William D
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 4th October 2025
William D
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 4th October 2025
William D
Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 19th September 2025
Harriet W
305
Anonymous
Anonymous  // 01/01/2019
This is an amazing project, set up by a dedicated and hard-working man, helping kids that really need it. The organisation of it is great and the kids are brilliant and very grateful for any help. It is useful to have some Spanish phrases and words under your belt as it helps to communicate to the students and the other Peruvian volunteers but, if you don't know any Spanish, they are very patient and understanding. Aside from the volunteering, the social side of the flat members is great and there are so many things to enjoy in that part of Peru, especially if you like the outdoors.
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Posted 9 years ago
Very fun!
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Posted 9 years ago
I don't know how I made it this far without taking the time to go explore the world while doing good. Thank god for POD. Not only did they put my mind at ease but all my friends and families minds as I traveled to South Africa to work with monkeys and elephants. Erin and Ellie always responded kindly (no matter how ignorant my questions were) and were patient with me as I figured things out. They laid out everything necessary for me to know and made sure I was safe and all set for my trip. So much so that I never responded to their emails once I was there because I was too damn happy to look at my phone. Thanks to the POD team!
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Posted 9 years ago
Belize was SO amazing. The culture and the experience was so different from anything I've seen in the US. It was eye opening. I loved working with the animals in the Belize Zoo and seeing all the hard work he keepers had to put in to care for the animals. The work was hard but very rewarding. Plus the keepers were so nice. I think I'm going to miss them the most
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Posted 9 years ago
I participated in the Thailand Marine Conservation Volunteering program. Learning to dive was a fun and rewarding experience, as was gaining insight and some practical experience in conservation practices such as crown of thorns collection, reef surveys and coral restoration. I felt it probably would have been a much better investment for longer periods. I'd recommend a minimum three weeks; you spend one week learning to dive (or I did anyway), and go from there. Two weeks definitely wasn't enough for the full experience; I'd learn a skill on one dive then never get to use it again (and who ever does things right the first time :P). The staff were knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions, sometimes in the space of time it took me to get a tan. Accommodation has a nice view, shower and soap, but I'd STRONGLY suggest bringing your own mosquito net, as I didn't have one, and you really need to leave the glass doors open to let in the cool air at night. Bloody hot! Beautiful area and sights, good experience. Watch out for the fruit loops that think we came from Mars.
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Posted 9 years ago
I was initially hesitant about travelling overseas by myself but Pod Volunteer organised everything very quickly and efficiently despite being on the other side of the world. They answered all my queries and had very thorough and relevant information for each placement which made me feel more confident knowing what i was going to experience.
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Posted 9 years ago
Excellent, prompt, friendly service throughout - the experience was even better than it was described. Thank you so much! Definitely hope to volunteer through Pod again.
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Posted 9 years ago
Pod volunteer is very helpful with anything you want to know. I've been volunteering now for 4 months with a few projects being organised through them and they are great if you need security with your bookings and you are only dealing with people who know the projects inside out and the projects all need volunteers so far I've had absolutely no problems and would happily book through them again.
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Posted 9 years ago
Met lovely, like minded people on a fantastic trip to south Africa, couldn't of asked for more
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Posted 9 years ago
A life changing experience, I had an amazing time that I will never forget. I volunteered on the teaching and conservation projects in Madagascar and my only regret is that I didn't stay longer
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Posted 9 years ago
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 9 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 9 years ago
Super helpful and friendly.
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Posted 9 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 9 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 9 years ago
Absolutely fantastic. Had lots of support and erin kept in contact like she promised
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Posted 9 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 9 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 9 years ago
The trip was fantastic and everything went very smoothly.
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Posted 9 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 9 years ago
Pod Volunteer is rated 4.8 based on 598 reviews