Pod Volunteer Reviews

Name: Pod Volunteer
Address: 5, Noverton Lane, Cheltenham, Prestbury
Rating: 4.78

4.8 Rating 506 Reviews

97 %

of reviewers recommend Pod Volunteer

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4.8

Based on 506 reviews

Customer Service
Communication Channels	Email, Telephone, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In	2 - 3 Hours
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 24th July 2025

Keira W

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 23rd July 2025

Izzy H

283

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

Filter: Rated 5 None 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars Helpful

“My daughter had an absolutely fantastic time volunteering in Costa Rica in October with Pod Volunteer. She did 8 days at Reserva Playa Tortuga as a 17 year-old solo traveller and felt safe and supported. Alex was on hand to answer any questions before the trip and while out there she found everyone immensely helpful and pleasant from the permanent researchers and organisers at the reserve to the other volunteers from around the world. It has been a really eye-opening, confidence-inspiring experience for her, not to mention her dream come true. Alex organised for her to be there at a time when there were quite a few other 17-18 year olds too, though in fact she really enjoyed getting to know and working with the people of all ages and nationalities, as well as loving all she learnt through working with the animals. Thank you!”

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Posted 8 months ago

I'm so pleased to hear how well your daughter got on in Costa Rica! Thank you, Alex

Posted 8 months ago

“What a fantastic experience. So much more than turtle conservation work. Looked after, monitored & observed: Turtles, butterflies, bats, monkeys, snakes & frogs, bird-watching, coral restoration and community beach clean too!. Intense work schedule 24*7 drove the experience with early starts and late finishes most days, which meant we were never together as a community - even for meals. This was disappointing. I wasn't expecting to wade through 2 rvers and trek through jungle to get to the beach to do night patrols (5km on e on the beach) in the rain either. Kept me fit and lost done weight too! Overall an amazing experience.”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 5th October 2024

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Posted 9 months ago

Hi Helen, it's great to hear about your experience and that you were able to get involved in so many different aspects of conservation while you were in Costa Rica. That's very useful feedback about the schedule and the physical challenges too. Thanks also for the amazing clip of the hatchlings! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 9 months ago

“In had a great time volunteering with Wildlife Sense. I feel like Pod Volunteering helped me every step of the way anf were always there if I had questions.”

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Posted 9 months ago

Thanks so much for your lovely review - it's great to hear that you had such a great time volunteering! Gemma - Pod Volunteer

Posted 9 months ago

“Pod volunteer has been so helpful in answering all the questions I’ve had and making me feel fully prepared to go travelling by myself for the first time! I felt very supported throughout. I also had so much fun volunteering in Costa rica for a month! It was a great experience!!”

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Posted 10 months ago

Hi Ariene, Im so glad you enjoyed the combo of Wildlife Rescue and Turtle & Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica, such an amazing country! Thanks for all your help on both projects and hope you are settling in back at home ok. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“My daughter Elise loved the U18s trip to the turtle and marine conservation project in Kefalonia. The organisation both in the run up to trip and during the visit was excellent with fantastic leaders. Elise has talked so much about the conservation activities and everything she has learnt. Supporting hatching turtles to make their way to the sea was clearly an highlight! Elise is really keen to go back to the project. Such an amazing experience for a first trip abroad (without parents) which will leave lifelong memories.”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks Colette, Elise was a great member of the team! I hope she has a chance to take part in another conservation initiative soon. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“The Under 18s week in Kefalonia doing Turtle and Marine Conservation was a fantastic once in a lifetime opportunity. The leaders were so helpful during the lead up to the trip and throughout the week to made sure everything went smoothly. I really enjoyed all the activities such as harbour surveys, beach walks and snorkel surveys. The team from wildlife sense gave educational and interesting presentations which helped us with the voluntary work but also provided us with more knowledge of marine life and conservation. One of the highlights of the trip was experiencing baby turtles hatching and helping them make their way to the sea. I met so many amazing people and have been inspired to do more marine conservation in the near future!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 23rd September 2024

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks very much Elise, I'm so pleased to hear about your experience on the trip and that it will hopefully lead onto more conservation involvement in the future! It was great the group was able to be involved in so much including helping the hatchlings to sea! Thanks for all your effort and enthusiasm. Hope you are settling in well back at college. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“I had an amazing time and used this for my gold DofE residential. It was so easy as almost all the organisation is done for you. Would definitely do it again!”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks so much for your lovely review and choosing to complete your Gold DofE Residential whilst joining a Pod Volunteer project - we would love to help you plan another trip! Gemma - Pod Volunteer

Posted 10 months ago

“Our family (kids are age 12yr&9yr) recently joined a Marine/Turtle conservation project in Kefalonia through Pod Volunteer, and we couldn't be happier with the experience! From the start, Pod Volunteer was fantastic, helpful, organised, and communicative, making the whole process easy and stress-free. The project itself was incredibly rewarding as well as educational, allowing us to get hands-on with vital turtle conservation efforts. The local team was passionate and knowledgeable, and Pod Volunteer’s excellent ongoing support and coordination during the trip made everything run so smoothly. Our kids loved every minute, and we all learned so much. If you're considering a family-friendly, impactful volunteer experience, we can’t recommend Pod Volunteer highly enough!”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks very much for your kinds words, we love arranging family trips and getting young people involved in conservation work so it's brilliant to hear such positive feedback about the experience. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“Volenteering on the turtle project has been an amazing trip for myself and my 11year old daughter. We had 6 fantastic days doing harbour surveys, a night and early morning shifts watching and assisting baby turtles go on their journey into the big wide world, plus some great snorkelling, were we saw a fully grown turtle, dolphins and a monk seal. I can highly recommend this activity, it was very well organised, the hosts were professional, enthusiastic and taught us so much about marine life and how our actions have an inpact on the turtles. Truly amazing!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 14th September 2024

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks Sue, great to hear about your and your daughter's experience this summer and how much you took away from it. You saw alot of other sea life too! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“Pod was so so helpful prior to my trip to Thailand. They gave me a booklet that covered everything I possibly needed to know. Alex checked how my trip was going and made sure I was ok. Overall would definitely recommend Pod; they have so many trips available which I will definitely be doing in the future!!”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks so much Sophie, I'm really glad to hear how well it went with your Thailand Elephant Care project. I bet you are missing the ellies! Hope to help with another trip in the future. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“I did this with my daugthers age 11 and 12, and we had the best time! We have leant a lot about turtles and their environment they are facing with the global warming issue. We enjoyed the early moring surveys, and learnt to spot the tracks of baby turtles that hatched in the night and have made their way into the sea! The all night survey was great fun and very excited for the girs as they were allow to stay up all night and fall asleep on the beach when they wanted! To be able to do something worthwhile, in the most a beautiful surrounding of Kefalonia is just amazing! Thanks POD for making this possible and organising this trip for us, we would definitely going back!”

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Posted 10 months ago

It's great to hear about your family experience in Greece this summer, thanks so much for being part of the family trip and I hope you get another chance to volunteer as a family in the future! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“I recently had an amazing experience volunteering for the Turtle Conservation Trip in Kefalonia, Greece, organized by Pod Volunteer. The opportunity to contribute to the conservation efforts for loggerhead sea turtles was truly inspiring. The team at Pod Volunteer provided exceptional support and guidance throughout the trip, ensuring that every volunteer felt prepared and valued. Our days were spent monitoring nesting sites, learning about the turtles' behavior, and assisting with beach clean-ups, all of which provided valuable insights into marine conservation. The accommodations and facilities were comfortable, and the local cuisine was a delightful addition to the experience. I highly recommend this trip to anyone passionate about wildlife and conservation, as it offers a meaningful way to make a positive impact while exploring the beautiful island of Kefalonia.”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 7th September 2024

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Posted 10 months ago

Hi Kyla, thanks for your lovely comments, it was brilliant having you on the team and thanks for your positivity and all the effort you made to help make a difference to the turtles and marine environments of Kefalonia. Hope it's not feeling too cold back at home in comparison to the warmth of Greece! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“My daughter really enjoyed the whole experience. Any questions, issues or problems that we had before she went was dealt with quickly and efficiently by the POD team.”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks Sharon, it was great having your daughter on the team! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“POD Volunteer was great from start to finish for our daughter. They are very organized and responded quickly to queries. She had a lovely time in Greece and learnt a lot about the turtles and their habitats.”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks Stephen, that's great to hear. Hope she is settling back in at home after an exciting week in Greece! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“Had been following Pod Volunteer on social media and finally booked. My daughter and I did the famiky experience with turtle conservation in Kefalonia. It was amazing. One of the best experiences I have had and totally loved it. The communication before was spot on and the team in Kefalonia were welcoming and informative. Daughter now wants to go on the teen trip. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Pod Volunteer to book through. Great experience from start to finish. When can I book again ...”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks so much Sharon, it was brilliant having you and your daughter on the family team, and what a difference you made with all the action that week! Hope you have had a great last bit of the summer. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“Alex Rachel and Mike where exemplary team leaders, the activities where well planned and provisioned, it was great working with wildlife sense and the turtle conservation team they have on Kefalonia, I will certainly be recommending to my friends: and I will remember it fondly”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks so much Hayden, it was great having you on the trip!

Posted 10 months ago

“This has been such an amazing experience and opportunity which our daughter thoroughly enjoyed, thank you so much. A great balance of activities and free time, lots of interesting talks on elements of conservation with hands on conservation tasks too. A great group of young people to be away with and fantastic leaders. A gorgeous location, good facilities nearby to explore independently as well as trips further afield by ferry and coach. Would totally recommend to anyone considering this trip!”

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Posted 10 months ago

That's great to hear your feedback on the U18 Turtle and Marine Conservation trip in Greece, we are so pleased to hear how much your daughter enjoyed it! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“absolutley amazing volunteer program, I will be highly reccomending this.”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks so much Kristen! Thanks for all your effort and enthusiasm. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“Really fabulous educational and fun opportunity for 16-17 year olds to do Gold residential for Duke of Edinburgh, or just for the experience! As a parent, I had no concerns as the communication and organisation is excellent . Staff very supportive. My daughter had such a positive experience from the week..she loved everything about Turtle conservation. Thank you to the Pod team for everything.”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 29th August 2024

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks so much Paula, it was a great week and your daughter really got stuck in to everything with loads of enthusiasm! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

“I had an amazing experience with pod volunteer, it was efficient and stress free making it easy to enjoy the work we did. Communication was fantastic from the moment I signed up and I wasn’t worried once about what the plans were! Loved the educational lectures that came along with the practical side, it taught me so much and I had a great time!”

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Posted 10 months ago

Thanks Elizabeth, it was brilliant having you on the team and that's really great to hear how much you enjoyed the educational presentations too, alongside all the practical work. Hope you are settling in back at home. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 10 months ago

Pod Volunteer is rated 4.8 based on 506 reviews