Platform2 has a wealth of resources here on the website, check out our site's RESOURCES section and take a look. We still have staff who would love to help you engage with development issues and raise awareness here in the UK – contact us to find out more

Platform2 is all about volunteering in a developing country, then coming back and sharing that experience with others. Whether you have been doing that since your return or want to start now, get in touch as we would love to hear from you

Although it is no longer possible to volunteer in a developing country, there are active Platform2 groups throughout the UK who would love to hear from you. Do get in touch through the Contacts page and let us know where you live and what you have to offer.

Platform2 was funded by DFID for three years and enabled almost 2000 young people to volunteer overseas in a developing community. Now that this funding has come to an end the focus has changed to raising awareness of development issues in the UK

No – Platform2 is not a grant-making organisation. Our DFID funding is limited to sending Platform2 volunteers to projects operated by our in-country partner organisations. Platform2 is therefore unable to provide funding or other types of support to individuals, groups or organisations undertaking independent development work abroad.

Platform2 is for young people who would not normally get the opportunity to volunteer abroad. Each case will be examined individually, but you need to be able to demonstrate, both in your application and at interview, that you would not otherwise get the opportunity to do something like this.

The only things you have to cover the cost of yourself are travel to and from your interview, travel to and from Heathrow airport and getting a Platform2 is funded by UKAid from the Department for International Development. There are only the following things which you will need to pay for:

- Costs in getting or renewing a current British passport;

- Travel to and from your interview and the airport (London Heathrow);

- There may be a few items that you will want to buy to bring with you, such as a good pair of boots and plenty of sunscreen;

- Although you get a small weekly allowance in country, you should also consider bringing a little bit of extra spending money.

They attend a three day residential workshop and plan how to express their trip in their community - this could be through music, art, film, photography - whatever you're into. Platform2 is here to support your efforts so contact us with your ideas to see if the local P2 volunteer networks can get involved and help you out.

You don't need any specific skills. However, if you have relevant skills or experience, we'll do our best to make sure you have the opportunity to use them.