Warnings over gap year volunteering

As A-level results come out, hordes of school leavers are ramming backpacks full to bursting and beginning short spells abroad.

But the best intentions of those who take up voluntary roles as teachers, construction workers or conservationists could fall flat unless they choose their organisation with care, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) has warned.

VSO, which specialises in dispatching older people to places where they use their professional expertise, is warning youngsters they could actually harm local communities instead of helping them.

"We hope gap year students will make sure that the projects they select are genuinely benefiting the communities involved and be work they can learn from," commented Mark Goldring, VSO chief executive.

He counselled volunteers to check that local people had been consulted over the project they would be undertaking.

Meanwhile, young people heading to Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport to head to sunnier climes are being urged to make sure they plan their trips carefully, making good use of car hire and travel insurance when they head overseas.