Where
Goa, India
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone after a hands-on experience built around exchange, listening and human connection, away from the usual tourist trail
Project details
In Goa, the project supports older adults and people with disabilities, offering company, things to do, and time spent together
In Goa, modern life and social change have left many older adults on their own and many people with disabilities with few chances to take part in community life. To respond to that, local centres run activities that bring people together with company and shared time.
The project is built around simple but valuable activities: listening to stories, playing games, reading together, running creative sessions and helping out with everyday small tasks.
As a volunteer, you'll become part of the rhythm of these centres, bringing company and practical support, while seeing local culture from a closer, quieter angle.
The project is built around simple but valuable activities: listening to stories, playing games, reading together, running creative sessions and helping out with everyday small tasks.
As a volunteer, you'll become part of the rhythm of these centres, bringing company and practical support, while seeing local culture from a closer, quieter angle.
See inclusive Goa, beyond the beaches
In Goa, the project supports older adults and people with disabilities, offering company, things to do, and time spent together
In Goa, modern life and social change have left many older adults on their own and many people with disabilities with few chances to take part in community life. To respond to that, local centres run activities that bring people together with company and shared time.
The project is built around simple but valuable activities: listening to stories, playing games, reading together, running creative sessions and helping out with everyday small tasks.
As a volunteer, you'll become part of the rhythm of these centres, bringing company and practical support, while seeing local culture from a closer, quieter angle.
The project is built around simple but valuable activities: listening to stories, playing games, reading together, running creative sessions and helping out with everyday small tasks.
As a volunteer, you'll become part of the rhythm of these centres, bringing company and practical support, while seeing local culture from a closer, quieter angle.
Why participate
Spend quality time with people
Offer company to older adults and people with disabilities, with moments that make their days feel fuller.
Why participate
Spend quality time with people
Offer company to older adults and people with disabilities, with moments that make their days feel fuller.
See India up close
It's not just beaches and tourism: you'll experience Goa from the inside, getting to know daily life and the traditions of a local community.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
Monday to Friday, mornings are for activities at the centres and the schools, with company for older adults, support for people with disabilities and educational support for younger participants.
Afternoons are free for downtime, exploring Goa or joining optional extra activities, with the coordinators always on hand.
07:30Breakfast and getting ready for the day
09:30Activities at the placement: company for older adults or support at the centres for people with disabilities
11:30Break and a chance to catch up with the other participants
13:00Lunch at the centre and downtime in the garden or lounge
16:00Optional extra: outreach in the local communities or free time to explore Goa
19:30Shared dinner, chats and an easy evening together
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Beach time at Agonda or Arambol
Stretch out in the sun or swim in the calm waters of some of Goa's prettiest, quietest beaches.
The next story is yours
heylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelTag us in your stories to feature here! @heylocalstravel
FAQs
🌴 Your home in Goa
You'll stay at the volunteer centre, a simple but welcoming place in a quiet area, not far from the beaches and local villages. It's a meeting point for people from all over, where you'll live, cook and grow together.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people), separated by gender
• En-suite bathroom with hot shower
• Beds with linen provided and fan in the room
• No air conditioning or mosquito nets, bring a good repellent and a travel mosquito net if you like
• Rooms aren't lockable: use a personal padlock or a money belt for your valuables
🍽️ Meals
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
• Vegetarian Indian cooking: rice, vegetables, spices and local flavours
• Occasional simple Western dishes
• Filtered water, tea, coffee and milk always available
• You can use the kitchen if you fancy making something of your own
🌿 Common spaces
• Dining room and lounge for shared moments
• Small library and a garden with palms, for reading or relaxing
• An international, easy-going feel: the heart of community travel
💬 Living the community
The centre isn't a resort: it's a shared home for travellers. Between dinners together and evening chats under the stars, Goa becomes more than a destination, it becomes a memory you'll keep 🌺
You'll stay at the volunteer centre, a simple but welcoming place in a quiet area, not far from the beaches and local villages. It's a meeting point for people from all over, where you'll live, cook and grow together.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people), separated by gender
• En-suite bathroom with hot shower
• Beds with linen provided and fan in the room
• No air conditioning or mosquito nets, bring a good repellent and a travel mosquito net if you like
• Rooms aren't lockable: use a personal padlock or a money belt for your valuables
🍽️ Meals
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
• Vegetarian Indian cooking: rice, vegetables, spices and local flavours
• Occasional simple Western dishes
• Filtered water, tea, coffee and milk always available
• You can use the kitchen if you fancy making something of your own
🌿 Common spaces
• Dining room and lounge for shared moments
• Small library and a garden with palms, for reading or relaxing
• An international, easy-going feel: the heart of community travel
💬 Living the community
The centre isn't a resort: it's a shared home for travellers. Between dinners together and evening chats under the stars, Goa becomes more than a destination, it becomes a memory you'll keep 🌺
🛡️ Safety and support
In Goa the watchword is calm 🌴 Each programme is selected and looked after carefully, so you can settle into a safe, welcoming, well-run setting, both at the centres and at the volunteer house.
🔹 Background checks
All volunteers need to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send the instructions for getting it: a small step that gives everyone peace of mind.
🔹 Strong safety standards
• Centres and schools with long experience hosting volunteers
• Quiet, safe areas
• Controlled access with local staff on hand
• Partners that host volunteers from all over the world properly
🔹 24/7 support
From the moment you arrive in Goa to your trip home, you'll have local team support, evenings and weekends included. And if you need it, our UK team is always reachable on WhatsApp 🌐
🔹 Briefing and orientation
Before you travel, we'll send a full guide with practical tips on safety and local life. On day one, you'll join an orientation day to pick up the culture and the basics of community living.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Avoid going out on your own at night
✔ Plan trips out with the other volunteers
✔ Always follow the local coordinators' advice
💡 Our aim
A safe, positive setting, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, learning and growing through the experience in India 🇮🇳
In Goa the watchword is calm 🌴 Each programme is selected and looked after carefully, so you can settle into a safe, welcoming, well-run setting, both at the centres and at the volunteer house.
🔹 Background checks
All volunteers need to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send the instructions for getting it: a small step that gives everyone peace of mind.
🔹 Strong safety standards
• Centres and schools with long experience hosting volunteers
• Quiet, safe areas
• Controlled access with local staff on hand
• Partners that host volunteers from all over the world properly
🔹 24/7 support
From the moment you arrive in Goa to your trip home, you'll have local team support, evenings and weekends included. And if you need it, our UK team is always reachable on WhatsApp 🌐
🔹 Briefing and orientation
Before you travel, we'll send a full guide with practical tips on safety and local life. On day one, you'll join an orientation day to pick up the culture and the basics of community living.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Avoid going out on your own at night
✔ Plan trips out with the other volunteers
✔ Always follow the local coordinators' advice
💡 Our aim
A safe, positive setting, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, learning and growing through the experience in India 🇮🇳
🧭 Orientation day
Your time in Goa starts with a special Monday: a day full of new things, smiles and local moments to welcome you to India 🇮🇳
During orientation, the local team will show you around and share everything you need to settle in:
• Welcome meeting and intro to the programme and house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and Indian cultural habits
• Intro to Goa, between Portuguese influences and local traditions
• Visit to a spice plantation and your project placement along the way
• Tour of Old Goa with its UNESCO churches and colonial feel
• Evening walk through the market for your first bits of shopping and a feel of local life
• Tech tip: you can pick up an eSIM before you travel through Airalo, so you're online from day one!
Orientation is also the right moment to meet the group, swap motivations and start to feel part of a small new family.
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday morning you'll be into the placement activities, already with confidence and the right dose of enthusiasm.
Your time in Goa starts with a special Monday: a day full of new things, smiles and local moments to welcome you to India 🇮🇳
During orientation, the local team will show you around and share everything you need to settle in:
• Welcome meeting and intro to the programme and house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and Indian cultural habits
• Intro to Goa, between Portuguese influences and local traditions
• Visit to a spice plantation and your project placement along the way
• Tour of Old Goa with its UNESCO churches and colonial feel
• Evening walk through the market for your first bits of shopping and a feel of local life
• Tech tip: you can pick up an eSIM before you travel through Airalo, so you're online from day one!
Orientation is also the right moment to meet the group, swap motivations and start to feel part of a small new family.
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday morning you'll be into the placement activities, already with confidence and the right dose of enthusiasm.
✈️ Recommended arrival
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking a flight into one of Goa's two airports: Dabolim International Airport (GOI) or Mopa Airport (GOX). Our pickup runs every Sunday between 06:00 and 24:00, so a member of the local team will be at the meeting point waiting for you.
📍 Meeting point
Dabolim (GOI): after passport control and customs, stay on the same level and head to ENTRANCE 2. Our coordinator will be there with a sign. Don't move, they'll stay put at that spot.
Mopa (GOX): we'll send you up-to-date instructions by email after you confirm your booking.
Arriving by land: you can also arrange to meet at Mapusa bus station, again on Sunday (06:00 to 24:00).
🕒 Transfer time
Airport to centre: about 45 minutes by car.
Mapusa station to centre: about 15 minutes by car.
💡 Arriving outside the set hours
If you arrive too early (before 06:00 on Sunday), you can book an extra night with a paid pickup, or make your own way to the meeting point.
If you arrive late (after 24:00): not ideal, but possible on request with a special pickup (extra cost), or by making your own way in a prepaid taxi (around 1500 INR or under, agreed before you travel). In that case, our staff will refund the taxi cost when you arrive.
🧭 If you can't spot our staff straight away
Don't leave the meeting point. Call or WhatsApp the emergency numbers in your confirmation email.
🚖 Heading home: return tips
Check-out from the Goa centre is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer isn't included, but our staff can help you book a taxi or point you to the nearest bus station.
We'd recommend booking your return flight from Saturday afternoon onwards, so you can leave the centre at your own pace and get to the airport without stress.
🗓️ Carrying on with your travels?
If you're thinking of travelling on around India, let us know in advance and we'll happily share useful tips on transport, places nearby and practical bits.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a detailed pack with all the up-to-date info, contacts for the local team and step-by-step instructions for your arrival.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking a flight into one of Goa's two airports: Dabolim International Airport (GOI) or Mopa Airport (GOX). Our pickup runs every Sunday between 06:00 and 24:00, so a member of the local team will be at the meeting point waiting for you.
📍 Meeting point
Dabolim (GOI): after passport control and customs, stay on the same level and head to ENTRANCE 2. Our coordinator will be there with a sign. Don't move, they'll stay put at that spot.
Mopa (GOX): we'll send you up-to-date instructions by email after you confirm your booking.
Arriving by land: you can also arrange to meet at Mapusa bus station, again on Sunday (06:00 to 24:00).
🕒 Transfer time
Airport to centre: about 45 minutes by car.
Mapusa station to centre: about 15 minutes by car.
💡 Arriving outside the set hours
If you arrive too early (before 06:00 on Sunday), you can book an extra night with a paid pickup, or make your own way to the meeting point.
If you arrive late (after 24:00): not ideal, but possible on request with a special pickup (extra cost), or by making your own way in a prepaid taxi (around 1500 INR or under, agreed before you travel). In that case, our staff will refund the taxi cost when you arrive.
🧭 If you can't spot our staff straight away
Don't leave the meeting point. Call or WhatsApp the emergency numbers in your confirmation email.
🚖 Heading home: return tips
Check-out from the Goa centre is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer isn't included, but our staff can help you book a taxi or point you to the nearest bus station.
We'd recommend booking your return flight from Saturday afternoon onwards, so you can leave the centre at your own pace and get to the airport without stress.
🗓️ Carrying on with your travels?
If you're thinking of travelling on around India, let us know in advance and we'll happily share useful tips on transport, places nearby and practical bits.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll email you a detailed pack with all the up-to-date info, contacts for the local team and step-by-step instructions for your arrival.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now