One third of people taking a gap year are over 50, according to specialist travel company ‘Gap Year for Grown Ups’. Based on bookings taken between April 2005 and April 2006 these figures really prove that it is attitude and not years that count.

Gap Year for Grown Ups offers projects in over 25 countries, all of which are featured along with loads of great tips and advice as well as inspiring case studies.
 
As the perception of a ‘job for life’ crumbles, opportunities to take this kind of break in a career are on the increase.  Africa is the most popular choice for volunteering and areas include Kenya, South Africa, Namibia and Zambia. Volunteers can choose from a comprehensive range of projects including work with some of the most deprived children in the world. Community programmes are grateful for help that can really make a difference. 

Wildlife projects such as coastal conservation, monkey rehabilitation, horse safaris and endangered elephant programmes will interest those interested in the natural world, and there is even a Wildlife Art course. 

Julie Jones, a retired primary school teacher aged 61, travelled to Kenya and took part in a 4-week Kenyan Orphan Outreach Programme. She had retired from teaching the previous year and was looking to undertake a course that would take her off the tourist track. “I came across the website and wondered what age a grown up was classed as, because I had just passed my 61st birthday was fit and healthy but worried that I might be considered over-the-hill”. She wasn’t, so Julie decided on Western Kenya with the objective of adventure!

Julie visited far flung communities, went out with a mobile clinic and taught at local primary schools. She said ”It can only be described as humbling – most of the children I met were infected with AIDS and had lost at least one parent to  the disease. Everywhere I went I was greeted with warmth, enthusiasm and enormous respect and I was given gifts and fed by people who had very little themselves”.

While she was there the project touched her heart and she vowed that she wanted to do more to help. The photos that she took whilst she was in Kenya have been made into a presentation, which she now uses as a fundraising tool – “I feel that in a small way I have been able to raise awareness of the plight of those that I met and perhaps, relieve a little of the suffering”. Julie intends to return to the good work that is done at Omwabini as soon as she can. “Africa really gets to you, I went for adventure and came home with a commitment”.

Susan Felton, a nursery nurse aged 52, took part in a 4-week programme in Himachal Pradesh, North India. She was at a cross roads in her life, her husband of 31 years had died at the beginning of the year and she was not ready yet for solo travels but she wanted to do something useful during the school holidays to keep busy.

Her volunteer work was in a newly built day care centre for children aged 18 months – four years and with a little creativity she was able to make a real difference. “I felt brilliant on this trip, the guides gave us plenty of advice and I had no problems eating, drinking and visiting the local town”. Susan learnt a lot about herself too and enjoyed meeting people from different cultures and countries. “We would sit and talk about all sorts of subjects….wonderful!”

Susan had to return home for the new school term and her story inspired colleagues and friends to book their own adventure! She has kept in contact with several of her fellow volunteers, planning a reunion to relive the memories and is hoping to return to Himachal next year.

“There is no ‘average’ grown up traveller,” says Rachael Wood, Manager of Gap Year for Grown Ups, “although most of our older customers are united by a common desire to do something rewarding and give something back. Some feel that they missed out the first time around and want to see some more of the world whilst they still can.”  

And for those who are undecided, this year Gap Year for Grown Ups has introduced ‘taster trips’ which allow clients to sample the experience of a ‘gap year’ without investing a huge amount of time and reorganisation.

Why not try it? It might change your life.

For further information contact Gap Year for Grown Ups on 01892 701881 or visit www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk

Relevant links

• Gap Year for Grown Ups (Opens a new window)