How VoluntEars started
So you want to know more about us at VoluntEars! In January 2015 our Director, Richard Clowes, and his profoundly deaf friend Nicolas Hall started looking for opportunities to volunteer with Deaf communities overseas in a developing country.
Nicolas wanted an experience similar to those offered by ‘gap year companies’ but tailored towards the needs of D/deaf people.
They couldn’t find an organisation which specialised in arranging trips to developing countries for D/deaf people.
Many organisations wanted hearing people to volunteer with D/deaf people in the UK. But opportunities for D/deaf people to volunteer their own time overseas were very limited.
What’s our objective?
To be the world’s go-to organisation for D/deaf volunteering overseas.
The problems of volunteering and travelling overseas without the right support
They met several D/deaf people who had volunteered and travelled overseas. Most did not have positive outcomes. This was often due to poor preparation before the trip and insufficient support from organisations which were not Deaf aware during the trip.
The result was a feeling of alienation rather than inclusion overseas and a sense that their time, effort and money had been wasted.
This was a huge shame because it meant the diverse range of talents, skills and immense enthusiasm of D/deaf and hard-of-hearing people was not being harnessed in developing countries where it can really make a difference to others.
What did they do about it?
VoluntEars was established!
We arrange worthwhile, exciting and safe trips to developing countries for the D/deaf community. This includes D/deaf, hearing and hard-of-hearing people. Around half our volunteers are D/deaf and half are hearing or hard-of-hearing.
VoluntEars arranges interesting work with Deaf schools overseas (often a mix of practical renovation work and fun activities with local D/deaf students), accommodation and food, transfers on arrival and departure, all local transport, comprehensive orientation, visa advice, social and cultural activities, weekend visits to amazing places in your chosen destination, support and guidance throughout the trip.
Trips are tailored towards D/deaf volunteers and always include an experienced BSL Communicator and Trip Leader from the UK office.
What’s our background?
Since 1998 Richard worked at a senior level in an international volunteering organisation. Richard worked extensively throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Nicolas was born profoundly deaf. He was schooled at Ovingdean Hall School near Brighton and in 2002 graduated from Kingston University in London with a degree in Product and Furniture Design. He has travelled independently around Australia, New Zealand, Spain and USA, works as a freelance 3D designer and accompanies some of our trips.
All VoluntEars staff, both in the UK and overseas, are friendly, supportive and experts in their field.
Join us!
We know the positive impacts volunteering has when organised properly. We believe that our partner projects and our volunteers should benefit equally from the time spent together and we are experts at making that happen.
Our dedicated team in the UK and overseas is proud to offer life changing opportunities tailored to the D/deaf community.
Challenge yourself to the experience of a lifetime!
Reviews
Jovi Ridd
Ghana Trip
Lara Scott
Ghana Trip
Matthew Jack
Morocco Trip
Rianna Curley
Morocco Trip
Joe Rollin
Sri Lanka Trip
Kerry Evans
Sri Lanka Trip
Karen Chekas
Nepal Trip
“VoluntEars captured all aspects of truly experiencing Nepal!”
Alanna Kilroy
Nepal Trip
“Amazing, adventurous, and inspiring.”
David Hutchinson
Everest Base Camp Trip
