Pod Volunteer Reviews

Name: Pod Volunteer
Address: 5, Noverton Lane, Cheltenham, Prestbury
Rating: 4.77

4.8 Rating 502 Reviews

97 %

of reviewers recommend Pod Volunteer

Company Reviews

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4.8

Based on 502 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 23rd July 2025

Izzy H

282

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

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

“This trip was everything I wanted and more. I had the most amazing time with great people who I will definitely stay in touch with. The volunteer work was so enjoyable and the presentation were very interesting and helped us understand the importance of the work we were doing. In our free time, we explored nearby, and went to the beach, and swimming, and snorkelling, or just chilling out together and playing card games. I couldn’t be more grateful for the leaders that looked after us out there, and I hope to do a trip like this again in the future. It was genuinely so so amazing and something I will remember for life!”

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Posted 12 hours ago

“This was my first time volunteering abroad alone and Pod Volunteer couldn't have been any more organised and supportive of trip to South Africa. I had the most incredible time with the elephants and made many unforgettable memories. I would definitely recommend Pod Volunteer and the Elephant Care and Research in South Africa to anyone interested in nature conservation and animals!”

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Posted 21 hours ago

Thanks so much Mina, great to hear about your experience in South Africa with the amazing ellies! Thanks for all your hard work. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 16 hours ago

“I have never done this Volunteering work and I would come back. I enjoyed this experience so much and I would definitely come back. I loved working there and it’s nice to experience seeing the animals and meeting new people aswell.”

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Posted 3 weeks ago

Hi Harry, great to hear from you after your time helping with all the rescued animals at the sanctuary in Thailand - your hard work was very much appreciated! Hope you have a great summer! Alex and the Pod team

Posted 3 weeks ago

“Pod Volunteer, helped me organise the trip of a lifetime with ease and in no time at all. They were always quick to reply if I had any questions so I was sure on all the information given. Can’t thank them enough, for helping me organise a truly brilliant trip. THANK YOU!!!!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 24th June 2025

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Posted 4 weeks ago

Thanks so much for choosing to join our Desert Elephant Conservation project in Namibia for your DofE Gold Residential Ben! Gemma - Pod Volunteer

Posted 4 weeks ago

“POD volunteer was an unforgettable experience for me, it was my first trip alone and away from home and I could not have dreamed better. The organization itself is very attentive and serious and as for the family there, you would not find it more welcoming and kind. I was so well surrounded, and advised. I learned a lot and quickly felt at home. What is certain is that I will go back soon!!!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 6th June 2025

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Posted 1 month ago

Thanks Eden, it was a pleasure to help you make this trip to South Africa happen and I know how much the team loved having you there! Thanks for the amazing photos too, especially the beach rides! Best wishes, Alex and the Pod team

Posted 1 month ago

“Had the most wonderful experience with Cinsta horses volunteering alongside a most welcoming family who run it and couldn't have looked after us better. Got to work with the most amazing horses, all of whom have a story and have been rehabilitated, and are certainly the priority. Alongside the work had some most amazing beach and bush rides with the bonus of seeing some of the local wildlife on the way. Will definitely be returning.”

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Posted 1 month ago

Hi Dan, thanks so much for your feedback on your time at the Horse Rehabilitation project in South Africa, it's great to hear about the different horses you got to work with and of course the wonderful rides! Thanks for all your efforts. Hope you enjoyed your other travels in South Africa too. Best wishes, Alex and the Pod team

Posted 1 month ago

“Volunteering at Cintsa horses was an amazing experience! On a typical day you get to go ride on the beautiful beach and through the bush. The horses are all rescued and have been rehabilitated by the incredible people here. On the beach the horses are amazing Penny controls them all by her voice with complete beginners on. The accommodation is nice with 4 lovely dogs and you can see horses outside you bedroom window! The family are so lovely and on the weekend you get to have braai’s and nights of darts and partying. The food is amazing Georgie and Craig make the best meals. The farm is very safe and protected! I will definitely be coming back again!!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 4th June 2025

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Posted 1 month ago

Hi Taz, thanks so much for your lovely comments and amazing photos! Such an incredible beach to get to ride on! I'm so glad you enjoyed living at the farm with Georgie and her family. Thanks for all your help with the horses. Best wishes, Alex and the Pod team

Posted 1 month ago

“Great and rapid communication, sent all the information and documents i needed, experience was fantastic.”

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Posted 3 months ago

Hi Ewan, no problem at all and thanks for being so organised at your end too! Thanks to you and Finlay for all your hard work at the South Africa Elephant Care and Research project. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 3 months ago

“Cinsta Horse Centre and rehabilitation. Where to start. Words enough don’t suffice to express how I feel about this magical place. Some call it a centre. The minority of us are lucky to call it home. While words enough cannot truly express what I feel, I will try my best. Georgie, Penny, Craig, Charlie, Shane, Tanya and of course the beloved dogs: Ziggy, Pooky, Zoro, Arkan, Jakes, Dali and of course most importantly the horses: Flickr, Gigi, Lucky, Frodo Baggins Boy, Cisie, Ruga, Demo, Texas, Temba, Ruby, Bob and Jocky, Nicky, to name but a few. What a magical time you made my stay. I want to take this moment to say. Thank you for everything that you do. You guys are heroes for what you do. Each and everyone one of you, heroes for what you do. You are diamonds and gems of a people and your horses too. The horses diamonds and gems too. You are incredible for what you do and I feel so lucky and so privileged for the way in which you took me in with open arms, respected and accepted me for who and what I am. Welcomed me so warmly into your home. I feel forever blessed that you allowed me to play a small part in a bigger journey towards giving these horses the life they deserve. It was the honour of my life to work for you guys and I would do it many times over again. In you I feel I have made lifelong friends and for that I am forever grateful. I will remember my time with you guys for the rest of my life and I assure you. I will be back. You will see me again. The cherry on the cake among this but to name a few: Horse riding with you Penny on both beach and in the bush. The parties we had. The wonderful breakfasts, lunches and dinners we had. Your devine food Georgie and Craig. The wonderful, joyous and at times deep conversations we had. Getting to see two new horses welcomed in: Ruga and for now NNB (No name brand) for now.. You never fail to stop inspiring me. Everyday you inspire me with you grit, your resilience and tenacity and strength in the face of so much and constant adversity. Each time, you amazingly choose to tackle them head on. Continue to be the wonderful you. Continue to fight no matter what. For I, we the pod community believe in you. For anyone who is wondering whether to go. I simply say: Take this once in a lifetime opportunity. Go. See you soon Georgie, Penny, Craig, Charlie, Shane and of course our favourite animals, the dogs and the horses. Here is to you, Cintsa Horses. I am always here for you. Love you lots. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

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Posted 5 months ago

Hi Selma, what a heartwarming review to read, I'm so pleased to hear about your experience with the horses and the wonderful team there! It makes such a difference having volunteers to help. Thanks for all your efforts, Alex and the Pod team

Posted 5 months ago

“I had such an incredible time in Costa Rica and loved every second thanks to all of the organisation from Pod Volunteer! I learnt so much, had a great experience, made some lovely friends, and completed my gold DofE residential. I couldn’t recommend this trip more and would love to come back in the future!”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 23rd January 2025

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Posted 6 months ago

Hi Emily, thanks so much and great to hear about your time in Costa Rica. That video of the hatchlings heading to sea with the sunset is incredible! What a brilliant way to achieve your DofE Gold Residential - well done! Alex and the Pod team

Posted 5 months ago

“Such an amazing experience. The staff are so kind and helpful. They're always looking to share their knowledge with the volunteers as well.”

Pod Volunteer 5 star review on 20th January 2025

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Posted 6 months ago

Hi Meagan, thanks so much for your kind words about your time in Costa Rica and the incredible photos and video! Best wishes for a great 2025! Alex and the Pod team

Posted 6 months ago

“My 13 year old daughter and I had an incredible experience in Costa Rica over Christmas break. The planning process leading up to our trip was smooth and straightforward. The trip itself was even more incredible than we could have imagined! We learned so much and had a lot of new experiences. Highly recommend!”

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Posted 6 months ago

Hi jenny, thanks so much for your feedback, what an amazing way to spend Christmas! Hope you are both settling in well back at home. Wishing you both a very happy new year!

Posted 6 months ago

“I was able to go on a trip of a lifetime because of pod volunteers. They helped guide me through the process and were part of my Gold DofE journey.”

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Posted 7 months ago

So great to hear about your trip for your Gold DofE Residential, it's a great achievement! Many thanks. Alex

Posted 7 months ago

“I loved this trip. Learnt so much even though I am 62. Everyone very helpful, welcoming and knowledgeable. Wonderful food. Very tiring as I wanted to do everything even though I do not do a lot of exercise at home but bed very comfortable so slept like a dream every night. Wish I had taken my own wellies as that would have helped my feet. Take wellies, waterproof walking shoes and trainers so you always have something dry if going in the rainy season.”

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Posted 8 months ago

Hi Dawn, thanks so much for letting us know how everything went in Costa Rica. I'm not surprised to hear you slept well after all the volunteering activities you were involved in! Thanks also for the very useful feedback on footwear. Best wishes, Alex

Posted 8 months ago

“We did turtle and wildlife conservation in Costa Rica. Communication was great and had help every step of the way. The actual experience was amazing and a week I will never forget. U do a lot and learn a lot but u also get quite a bit of free time to go explore the surrounding area. Would absolutely recommend”

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Posted 8 months ago

Thanks so much Sam and I'm so glad you had a chance to explore a bit of this incredible country too! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 8 months ago

“My 13year old daughter and I are just home after a week with the Wildlife Rescue Project in Thailand and we had a wonderful time! Pod were excellent and it felt like we were in extremely safe hands. It was very reassuring having someone so knowledgeable to answer all of our questions and make recommendations about things to do before/after the project. Everything were smoothly and was exactly as we expected. The project itself was wonderful and it felt like a real privilege to get to know some of the animals, help out with such important work and learn about how complex rehabilitating and releasing wildlife can be. Be under no illusion that this is an easy ride! The early starts and long days meant we slept well. But working alongside a lot of likeminded and friendly fellow volunteers and the feeling of wanting to do our best for the animals made it easy to keep going. We have taken away some fantastic memories and there is no doubt that we’ll be doing some more volunteering with Pod in the not too distant future.”

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Posted 8 months ago

Hi Kat, great to hear about your volunteering experience in Thailand with your daughter. As you say, the help is very much needed with so much work to do to look after the many animals there, your efforts are very much appreciated! Hope you are settling in back at home ok! Best wishes, Alex

Posted 8 months ago

“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 9 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 9 months ago

Pod Volunteer is rated 4.8 based on 502 reviews