‘A’ level students who have lost out on their places at university and who are unable to find a job should take heart. EIL Cultural Learning, a charity based in Malvern, has EU funding for 50 young people aged 18 plus to travel to Europe on work experience which should enhance their CV’s.

These Leonardo da Vinci placements are part of the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programme which aims to skill up and encourage mobility within Europe’s workforce. There are opportunities to work in environmental conservation, youth and community work, sports and outdoor activities, as well as in cultural and educational organisation.

Placements are available in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Hungary and last from 2 weeks to 13 weeks.

“Red Shirts are burning government buildings in Ubon- violence could spread, so please stay at your project, avoid town centres and crowds"

Laura Clayson, an EIL sponsored volunteer to Thailand, has sent a newsletter about her experiences and the volunteer work she is doing.

Read her newsletter here

EIL UK is hosting an EVS (European Voluntary Service) Short Term Creative Arts Project from 8^th – 28^th July 2010 in Gloucester. 

The aim of the project is to give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to build up their basic / social / life skills in an informal way through a short volunteering experience. It also enables the participants to learn about life in another culture.

We have just received information from our partners in Chile about the first group formed to participate in the Earthquake Relief Programme:

"We are extremely happy with the volunteers' willingness and flexibility for this first program that started on July 4th. After completing a week of cultural immersion, planning and some practical campaigns in Santiago, they started their journey to Pichidegua loaded with fresh fruits, potatoes and some other elements that they collected in local markets in Santiago.