Overseas volunteering is for the affluent, study finds

THE typical UK overseas volunteer is a young, affluent, educated, white female, but those with few qualifications and low-income backgrounds are more likely to benefit from the experience, according to new research.

The report from think-tank Demos, also found that not all young people felt their gap-year volunteering experience was worthwhile.

Many were concerned about whether their contribution actually benefited the communities where they were based.

The report, which followed a survey of 2,150 people, said volunteering in some of the poorest places in the world could have a "transformative impact" on both volunteers and communities.

However, there is also a risk of programmes "perpetuating negative stereotypes of Western 'colonialism' and 'charity': a new way for the West to assert its power", it said.