Volunteer resources.
Everything you need to prepare, contribute, and stay safe as an Open Horizons volunteer.
Volunteer Handbook
The full handbook, currently in review, will be shared during onboarding.
The Open Horizons Volunteer Handbook covers our mission, structure, safeguarding, reporting lines, and day-to-day expectations. It walks volunteers through their first weeks with us, from paperwork and orientation to communication routines and reflection sessions.
Handbook PDF · Coming soon
FAQ
The questions we hear most from prospective volunteers.
Do I need previous experience to volunteer?+
No. Many of our volunteers are new to the humanitarian sector. What matters most is reliability, respect for the communities we serve, and a willingness to learn.
Are there age or nationality restrictions?+
Volunteers must be at least 18. We welcome applicants from any nationality; field placements may require specific visa or vaccination arrangements depending on the destination.
Is volunteering paid?+
Volunteer roles are unpaid. For field placements, Open Horizons covers accommodation, local transport, and insurance during the mission.
How much time is expected?+
Remote volunteers typically contribute 2–6 hours per week. Field placements run 3–6 months. Professional volunteers set a scope and timeline with our team.
How are volunteers matched to projects?+
After your application, our coordinator arranges a short call to understand your skills, availability, and interests before matching you to a team.
Will you provide a reference or certificate?+
Yes. Completing a volunteer engagement in good standing entitles you to a written reference and a certificate of service.
Code of Conduct
Standards every volunteer, staff member, and partner is asked to uphold.
Respect and dignity
Treat every child, family, colleague, and partner with respect, regardless of nationality, faith, gender, or background.
Do no harm
Act with care and humility. Never make promises to families you cannot keep. Consult local teams before making decisions on the ground.
Safeguarding first
Follow our safeguarding guidelines at all times. Report concerns to the safeguarding lead immediately.
Confidentiality
Protect the privacy of the children and communities we serve. Photos and stories are shared only with explicit consent.
Zero tolerance
Any form of exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, or corruption results in immediate removal from the volunteer program.
Professionalism
Be reliable, communicate proactively, and honour your commitments to the team and to beneficiaries.
Safeguarding Guidelines
The wellbeing of children and vulnerable people we serve is non-negotiable.
- All volunteers complete safeguarding training before starting a placement.
- Volunteers never work one-on-one with a child in a private, unsupervised setting.
- Photography, video, and personal stories require documented parental or guardian consent, and are never shared to identify a child at risk.
- Volunteers do not exchange personal contact details, gifts, or money with beneficiaries outside of program-approved channels.
- Any suspicion, disclosure, or concern is reported immediately to the designated safeguarding lead. Reports are handled confidentially.
- Retaliation against anyone raising a concern in good faith is strictly prohibited.
To raise a safeguarding concern confidentially, write to safeguarding@openhorizonsfoundation.org.
Ready to apply?
Once you're familiar with our expectations, take the next step and send us your application.
Start your application