Volunteer

Volunteers are vital to the work of Mercy Ships and we welcome those who have time to devote to the world's poorest people.

Apply as a volunteer on a Mercy Ship, support office, or raise funds and awareness for Mercy Ships in your local community. Whatever your skills, experience and availability there’s something for you.

VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS
Mercy Ships are almost entirely staffed by volunteers from over 40 nations, who raise their own finances to become crew members, paying towards the cost of living on board by way of monthly crew fees. It’s because of these charges that Mercy Ships is able to provide medical care and development assistance at an economic cost to the organisation and free of charge to recipients. 

Short-Term Opportunities
Every year thousands of people volunteer their time with Mercy Ships on a short-term basis. Many of them return time and time again. Placements range from two weeks to one year on ships, land bases and support offices overseas. For a list of positions now available, or to request a volunteer pack, please click here (external page US website)

Career Opportunities
To serve in a career capacity with Mercy Ships, (two years or longer) you must first successfully complete a 3 or 5 month training programme. At this time, nearly all career positions are self-funded. For a list of positions now available, or to request a volunteer pack, please click here (external page US website)

Mercy Teams
Mercy Teams provide short-term outreach opportunities for churches, schools and other groups of individuals  Projects to date have included renovating orphanages, building and painting clinics, schools and homes, teaching community health, assisting in micro-enterprise projects and serving for a few days onboard a Mercy Ship. For further information, contact info@mercyships.org.uk

Introduction to Mercy Ships Course
Introduction to Mercy Ships in Europe is a weekend long programme designed to facilitate the entry of potential staff into Mercy Ships, but is open to those wishing to learn more about Mercy Ships. Our goal is to help potential staff become as informed in their decision making process as possible.

Topics covered include introduction to Mercy Ships, transitioning, community life issues, support raising and an interview process. During a number of sessions, during meals and one-on-one talks, participants will learn almost all there is to learn about working and living in Mercy Ships.

This programme takes place onboard a small passenger ship which is located in the Netherlands. The maximum number of attendees is 25. All lectures will be performed in English.

Upcoming dates:
The dates for 2011 are: September 23, 24 and 25 2011. The dates for 2012 are: April 13, 14 and 15 2012 and October 5, 6 and 7 2012.

For Questions and Registration, please contact Alize van der Wolf at the Mercy Ships -Rotterdam office, phone +31 10 4102877, e-mail: alize.vanderwolf@mercyships.nl

Disaster Response Teams
In the wake of disasters such as the Asian Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the Haiti earthquake, Mercy Ships works with partners to mobilise medical and relief teams to assist with initial relief efforts. If you are interested in being a member of our Disaster Response Reserve Team, please click here (external page)  To help with our relief efforts in Haiti, click here (external page)

Click here for a list of recommended volunteering websites and professional organisations

VOLUNTEER IN THE UK
Volunteering with Mercy Ships is a great way to make new friends, learn new skills and have lots of fun. We need volunteers who can give time and energy to organise events, fundraise and help out in our national office. Regardless of your skills, you can make a lasting difference in a world of need.

Speakers Network
We have over 130 volunteers willing to speak to groups locally. Many of our speakers find this an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding experience, knowing that they are helping people so much in need of our services by creating an interest, raising funds and recruiting volunteers.

You can also volunteer to help represent Mercy Ships as a speaker. You'll receive training and resources that will enable you to share your enthusiasm for the amazing work that is done through Mercy Ships. If you can spare at least a few evenings a year, then we'd like to encourage you to come aboard as a valuable part of the Mercy Ships team. Interested? Contact Mercy Ships on 01438 727800 or email fundraising@mercyships.org.uk

Fundraising Support Groups
If you are thinking about fundraising for Mercy Ships or you already are, why not get a group around you to commit to fundraising on a regular basis. Make Mercy Ships your chosen project and the skies the limit! Working with others you know, or making new friends, either way - will keep the Fun in fundraising! For more information, click here

Exhibitions
Mercy Ships attends many exhibitions, conferences and events throughout the year and we often need volunteers to represent us, manage the stand and talk to visitors. If you are able to spare anything from 1 or 2 days a year to a couple of weeks, then please contact us.

Church Representative
The role of a Church rep is to act as a point of contact for Mercy Ships in your Church to help us raise much needed funds, awareness, and prayerful support for our work. For more info, click here