Step into the Gap is an opportunity to volunteer in the UK, gain experience, develop leadership skills and visit CAFOD partners and the communities we work with. Here are five reasons to join the CAFOD gap year programme:
1) To travel overseas
Part of your year volunteering with CAFOD involves visiting our partners and their communities in another country. You will learn about people’s lives, work alongside our partners, eat with local communities and worship in a unique way. We’re pretty sure you’ll make some great friends along the way too.
Check out some of the trip blogs from our gappers
2) To work with young people
You will be based on a placement in a youth retreat centre or school or university chaplaincy, and will spend your time interacting with children and young people, helping them to learn about global issues and inspiring them to take action. Perfect if you are considering teaching in the future.
Take a look at the placements on offer
3) To develop leadership skills
As a gap year volunteer you will be a leader in your community, organising events, leading sessions, travelling independently, learning new things and growing in your own faith.
Watch films from previous gap year participants
4) To learn new communication skills
Are you a budding photographer? Do you like writing? You’ll receive communication and media training as part of the programme, and will communicate regularly about your activities, whether it’s blogging, sharing pictures, developing confidence in public speaking, writing articles for newspapers or speaking on the local radio.
Meet our team of gappers and find out what they are up to
5) To gain valuable work experience
At the end of your year with CAFOD you will be equipped with valuable skills to take into the workplace. Our gap year volunteers have gone on to teach, gained internships in international development, become charity communication offers, policy interns and some even now work at CAFOD.