So You Want To Take A Gap Year

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Not everyone wants to go straight from school or college to university. Some people want to take a year out to work, travel, or even just take a breath. Some people will continue with further education after that, and some might not. There are loads of different pathways when it comes to how you live your life. But for those considering a gap year, here are some ways to make the most of your time, and how to make them work for you…

VOLUNTEERING

Maybe you want to do something to help others on your gap year by volunteering. There are loads of different types of volunteering, so it’s important to find the one that works for you. 

First up, take a think about what you’re passionate about and what issues you care most about. Do you want to help people? Animals? The environment? Are you a mental health ambassador? Want to fundraise? Are you an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights? Do you want to work in a charity shop? Are you a keen language teacher? Do you like talking to people or would you prefer something less interactive? Are your skills digital based or practical? 

Once you’ve decided what it is you want to do, it’s time to start your research. Check out sites like doit.life that connect people with opportunities, just by searching your postcode. There’s also the projects page on Neighbourly to find volunteering and fundraising opportunities in your area. You can filter by category, from Climate Action to Zero Hunger, Affordable and Clean Energy to Peace, Justice and Strong Institution…there will definitely be something to pique your interest. And, if you’re not quite ready to go out into the world to volunteer, you can take a look at their campaigns page and also find ways of helping out charities from the comfort of your own home, by donating, spreading awareness and sharing on social media.

You can also go to your local volunteer centre, which is a local organisation providing support to volunteers and the organisations that involve them. This is a really good place to start when you’re thinking about volunteering at a local level. NCVO has a dedicated page on their site where you can search for your local centre by using your postcode. 
Or, if you want to combine volunteering and a paying job, why not take a look on charityjob.co.uk - the UK’s largest and most specialised job board for the not-for-profit sector.

There’s also the option to combine travelling and volunteering. Organisations like vounteerhq.org offer volunteering packages in more than 50 destinations around the world, from Europe to Africa to South America. You could volunteer on things like medical projects, teaching English, wildlife conservation, NGO support and more.

GET A JOB

Of course, you could spend your gap year working and saving money for your future. Why not take a look online on job sites like Indeed or Reed, for jobs near you - or even go for a walk down your highstreet to see if anyone is advertising. 

There are also a couple of new government schemes you could check out, that combine paid work and learning. First up, is Kickstart, which is open to young people aged 16-24, who are currently receiving Universal Credit, and offers six month paid positions with organisations all over the country. And hey, did we mention we’re part of it and you can work for us? Check it out here. Then there’s UK Year of Service, which is your way to engage in community work, make a positive impact in society and get paid for it! By signing up, you’ll be paid to take part in nine to twelve month placements in your local community, in a role that will help you get world-ready and work-ready. Alongside your placement, you’ll get to take part in lots of different services and opportunities, like volunteering, networking and one-on-one support. Take a look here.

You could even think about setting up your own business or becoming an entrepreneur! Are you a whizz at redesigning and reworking old clothes? Why not set up your own sustainable online store. Are you a keen illustrator who could start drawing gift cards or one of a kind prints. Maybe you’re a genius coder who can start the next big app or video game. Do you have stories upon stories in your mind? Get them down on paper and see if you can get published! Whatever you’re good at or enjoy could also end up making you the big bucks, so why not give it a try!

TRAVEL

Lots of people take their gap year to travel. But how do you make sure what you’re doing is right? Well, the most important thing is to be prepared and organised.

First things first - where do you want to go? Are there any special entry requirements you have to meet before going? Some countries expect you to have at least six months left on your passport at the date of entry. Are there any local laws and customs that you’ll have to prepare for? Dubai, for example, requires modest dress codes and photography of certain government buildings and military installations isn’t allowed. Ensure that you are educated on where you want to go and are able to follow all guidelines in place. What about seasonal weather? You don’t want to turn up in the middle of monsoon season if you were expecting sun! Do all of your research thoroughly before anything else.

Next, think about who you’re going to travel with. You might be totally comfortable doing it alone - and a lot of people do! Or perhaps you’re looking for a way to make a completely new set of mates, in which case, why not research specifica gap year programmes (like planmygapyear that group people together on trips). 

You might already have the money saved up for your trip, but if you don’t, maybe think about getting a job for a few months, or organising a fundraising event and asking your friends and fam to sponsor you, or setting up an eBay or Depop account and selling things you no longer need in order to get the money you need. 

And don’t forget the important things like your passport - is it in date? Do you need a visa to enter the country? Do you need to get any vaccinations or other healthcare sorted before travelling? Make sure you write down a list of everything you need to get sorted beforehand and check it off as you go. Then it’s just a case of waiting for the day, and having fun!

The good thing about a gap year is it gives you time to hone your skills and your passions, so, whatever you end up doing, it’ll be a year of growth, excitement and learning. And it’ll set you up properly for whatever comes next. Good luck!