Volunteering in Split
Price from: £1399
Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, is celebrated for its Mediterranean charm and rich 2,000-year history, yet it faces significant social and environmental challenges. The city’s heavy reliance on tourism leads to economic instability, seasonal unemployment, and rising living costs that can displace long-time residents. An aging population further strains healthcare and social services, while pollution and waste management become pressing concerns during peak tourist seasons. To address these issues, our initiatives in and around Split focus on sustainable development, emphasizing horse care, support for individuals with special needs, animal welfare, and youth development. By engaging the community in these projects, we aim to promote social equity and preserve the unique charm and natural beauty of Split for future generations.
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Duration: 1 – 12 weeks
Arrival day: Sunday
Return day: Saturday
Eligibility: General level of fitness required.
Age: 18+ (Adult special needs 25 +)
Highlights
- Equestrian Therapy and Cultural Preservation: Support therapeutic riding services for children with autism and cerebral palsy at a historic equestrian club. Care for horses and maintain stables.
- Dog Sanctuary Support: Volunteer at a dog rescue centre focused on the welfare of abandoned dogs. Assist with daily care, health monitoring, and shelter improvement to help animals find homes.
- Youth Support Project: Help underprivileged youth aged 8 to 19. Provide educational assistance, lead activities, and teach English informally while serving as a positive role model.
- Special Needs Support: Work with adults with disabilities in a caring environment. Engage in outdoor activities, creative sessions, and assist with daily living tasks.
Description
Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, is famous for its Mediterranean beauty and rich 2,000-year history, but it also faces important social and environmental challenges. The city’s reliance on tourism creates economic instability, resulting in seasonal unemployment and rising living costs that can displace residents. Additionally, an aging population strains healthcare and social services, while pollution and waste management become critical issues during peak tourist seasons.
To address these challenges, our initiatives in and around Split focus on sustainable development through horse caretaking, special needs support, animal welfare, and youth engagement. These projects aim to strengthen community involvement and promote social equity, ensuring that Split’s unique charm and natural beauty are preserved for future generations.
You can volunteer and combine projects if you wish to!
Horse Therapy assistants:
1-12 weeks
Join the Equestrian Therapy and Cultural Preservation Program in Sinj, Croatia, where you’ll have the chance to enhance the well-being of horses and support therapeutic riding services for children with autism and cerebral palsy at a historic equestrian club. This program focuses on animal welfare, cultural heritage, and therapeutic support while fostering community engagement.
What to Expect:
Join the Equestrian Therapy and Cultural Preservation Program in Sinj, Croatia, where you’ll have the chance to enhance the well-being of horses and support therapeutic riding services for children with autism and cerebral palsy at a historic equestrian club. This program focuses on animal welfare, cultural heritage, and therapeutic support while fostering community engagement.
- Animal Care: Ensure the health of the horses through feeding, grooming, and daily exercise.
- Stable Maintenance: Help maintain clean and safe environments for the horses.
- Therapeutic Support: Assist in preparing horses for riding sessions and provide support to children during therapy.
Daily Tasks:
- Maintain horse stables and outdoor areas.
- Care for horses by feeding and grooming them.
- Prepare horses for therapeutic riding and assist children as needed.
Why Join?
Make a positive impact on the lives of horses and children with disabilities while immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Sinj, gaining valuable experience in animal care and therapeutic support.
Dog Sanctuary Support:
2-12 weeks
You’ll work at a dog rescue centre where you’ll join a team of fellow animal lovers dedicated to supporting the welfare of abandoned dogs. With a high number of animals abandoned for various reasons, these shelters often become overcrowded, making volunteer support crucial for ensuring each animal receives the care and attention they deserve.
As a volunteer, your contributions will enhance the animals’ health and increase their chances of adoption. The program also focuses on raising awareness about animal abandonment and actively finding homes for strays.
What to Expect:
- Daily Care: Assist with bathing, grooming, and providing companionship through walks and play.
- Health Monitoring: Help measure and weigh animals to track their health.
- Socialization: Engage with animals to make them comfortable around people.
- Shelter Improvement: Contribute to enhancing shelter conditions through small construction projects.
Why Join?
Make a positive impact by caring for abandoned dogs, gain valuable experience in animal welfare, and immerse yourself in Croatian culture while supporting a meaningful cause.
By helping young people acquire essential life skills, you can inspire them to raise their expectations and explore new opportunities. The Youth Support project in Croatia offers a vital platform for underprivileged youth aged 8 to 19, providing educational assistance and fostering social and interpersonal skills.
Supporting Children After School Groups:
2- 12 weeks -not available during summer holiday: July to mid September.
As a volunteer, you’ll work in after-school centres, serving as a positive role model. Your responsibilities will include assisting with homework, organizing activities, teaching English informally, and leading sports like Dance! The primary goal is to create a safe environment where young people can receive educational support, engage socially, and develop a sense of belonging.
What to Expect:
- Homework Support: Help students with their assignments to ensure understanding.
- Activity Organization: Plan and lead engaging sports and activities to promote teamwork.
- Informal English Teaching: Enhance their English skills through casual teaching sessions.
- Cultural Exchange: Share your background to broaden their perspectives.
- Role Modelling: Serve as a positive influence, demonstrating hard work and kindness.
Why Join?
Make a meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged youth, gain valuable experience in education and youth work, and immerse yourself in Croatian culture while making a difference.
Support Adult with Disabilities
2-12 weeks (over 25 only)
In many European countries, individuals with disabilities face challenges in accessing education and employment. The Special Needs Support program in Croatia provides personalized care, significantly improving the lives of those living with disabilities.
As a volunteer, you’ll assist in care centres for adults with various physical and mental disabilities, helping them integrate into their communities. You’ll engage in outdoor activities like beach walks and bicycle tours, as well as creative indoor sessions such as arts and crafts. No prior experience is necessary, and your contributions will be invaluable.
What to Expect:
- Outdoor Activities: Organize beach walks and bicycle tours, bringing joy to participants.
- Creative Engagement: Facilitate arts and crafts, encouraging creativity and skill development.
- Physical Support: Assist with therapy exercises to promote physical well-being.
- Companionship: Build supportive relationships through companionship and emotional care.
- Meal Prep: Help prepare and serve nutritious meals to ensure proper nourishment.
Why Join?
Make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities, gain valuable experience in special needs care, and immerse yourself in the culture of Croatia while contributing to a positive cause.
Looking to start a career in conservation?
Are you looking for paid work in the conservation sector after volunteering or interning? Oyster have teamed up with our friends at Conservation Careers who support people to find paid work in conservation following study or a career change. You can add their fantastic and flexible course to your volunteering trip with Oyster. Your Oyster experience will help add interest to your conservation resume as an eye catching addition to your job applications in future!
Accommodation
- Shared volunteer hostel in central Split 15 minutes walk from the historical old town and marina
- Share a room and bathroom with 1 – 7 other volunteers
- Single use plastics are kept to a minimum, food waste is composted or shared with those in need, furniture is built from recycled goods
- Meals included but additional kitchen, breakfast room
- TV and laundry facilities
- WiFi available throughout the house
Upgrade:
Private room: £200 / week / room
Double bed, city centre, air con, en-suite, TV, Kettle, Fridge and sink
Food
- You will receive three meals per day
- Breakfast consists of fruit, breads and spreads, cereals, toast, tea and coffee
- Lunch and dinner served at restaurant 2minute’s walk
- Typical Croatian food – meat, vegetables, risottos, pasta
- Food can be boxed up and taken when volunteering
- Provision can be made for vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets and lactose-free diets
Travel arrangements
Airport: Split SPU
Arrival day: Sunday. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to the accommodation
Departure day: Saturday
Included
- Access to your own personal ‘My Oyster’ account – our online portal where you can find out much more about the program and manage your booking
- Dedicated contact time with an experienced destination manager to discuss the project, answer any of your questions and for us to find out more about you
- Help and advice from our UK office before arrival and whilst you are away
- In-country support
- Pre-departure information covering medical, safety and project advice
- Gold level, 24/7 Pharos crisis management and incident support cover
- Financial protection: ATOL (if we book your flights); IPP (if we don’t book your flights)
- Thorough orientation on arrival
- Accommodation (see the ‘accommodation’ section above for details)
- Advice on visa requirements
- Oyster plants a tree in Africa with TreeAid to help reduce the impact of global carbon emissions
- Airport collection and transfer to your accommodation
- Three meals per day
- 2 hour guided tour of Split
- Linen and towels
On your return:
- Welcome home pack
- Certificate of Recognition (on request)
- References (on request)
Not Included
- Flights – as an ATOL bonded company, Oyster can book flights for you
- You need a valid passport that meets the requirements of the country you will be travelling to
- Insurance (covering your time with Oyster and any planned independent travel)
- Any costs associated with changing your return flight date if you need to
- Independent travel costs
- Home country travel costs
- Spending money for additional trips, food and entertainment
- Transport to your project – sometimes cheap fare by bus or walking
- Return costs to the airport
More Information
Project runs Monday – Friday. Your first day is spent on an induction in Split, and you will join the project on the Tuesday to meet the staff and receive your project orientation.
Days can vary depending on the project requirements. An example itinerary is:
8:00 – 10:00: Breakfast
10:00 – 13:00: Morning shift **
13:00 – 14:30: Lunch
14:30 – 18:00: Relaxing and travel time. Usually your afternoons will be free to relax, take some trips, do some exploring in and around the city.
18:00 – 21:00 Dinner time
- Strong work ethic: Ready to put in the effort.
- Optimistic mindset: Maintain a positive attitude.
- Proactive and adaptable: Take initiative and offer help, as tasks may not be assigned.
- No experience needed: Training will be provided on-site.
- English proficiency: Must be able to speak and understand English.
- Eager to learn: Open to picking up some basic Croatian.
Oyster assesses projects carefully to ensure that they offer high standards of animal welfare and environmental practice. We also check that volunteers understand key points of good practice before working with animals. To find out more, see our animal welfare policy.
Whilst late-availability is possible, we would advise booking as soon as you can to guarantee your ideal dates. Our projects are very popular and spaces can fill up several months in advance, especially for the months of June to September.
- Summer (June to August): Experience warm temperatures, vibrant beach life, and numerous festivals. This is the peak tourist season, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and outdoor activities.
- Late Spring (May): Enjoy pleasant weather with fewer crowds, making it perfect for exploring historical sites, hiking, and enjoying outdoor adventures.
- Early Fall (September to October): Experience mild temperatures and a relaxing atmosphere as summer crowds disperse. This is a great time for water sports, local events, and enjoying the stunning autumn scenery.
- Spring (April): Witness blooming nature and mild weather, which is great for hiking and outdoor exploration, with fewer tourists compared to the summer months.
- Winter (November to March): For those who prefer a quiet retreat, winter offers a peaceful atmosphere, lower accommodation prices, and the chance to enjoy local culture without the hustle and bustle of peak tourist season.
We would recommend budgeting approximately £50 a week for free time activities.
There are cash machines located all over Split and you can pay by card for almost everything. You should take at least two cards with you, and let your bank know that you will be going away.
Typically you won’t need a visa for stays up to 3 months. You should make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
Most of our volunteers are independent travellers and you will become part of a group of people from around the world here. It is fine to travel with friends or as part of a small group too however- more the merrier!
The simple answer to this question is, yes absolutely!
It is important to bear in mind however that this may not be like other holidays that you have taken. Remember that you are volunteering in Portugal, and this means that you will be put to work! This sort of holiday is a world away from sun loungers and cocktails, with our volunteers often heading home tired but immensely satisfied. If you think that you will need a bit of relaxing time on your trip too, do make sure to factor this in when your time on the project is complete.
You should visit your doctor or travel nurse to find out what vaccinations you will need. Your routine vaccinations will need to be up to date. You should follow your doctor’s advice.
Please see the Fit for Travel website.
Doctors, pharmacies and hospitals are located within 5 – 20 minutes of the accommodation.
Split is generally considered a safe destination for tourists. Here are some key points regarding safety in Split:
- Low Crime Rate: Split has a relatively low crime rate compared to other European cities. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, can occur, especially in crowded areas or tourist hotspots, so it’s essential to stay vigilant.
- Safe Transportation: Public transportation, including buses and ferries, is safe and reliable. Taxis and rideshare services are also available, and they operate under strict regulations.
- Emergency Services: The city has well-established emergency services, including police and medical facilities. Emergency numbers, such as 112 for general emergencies, are easily accessible.
- Tourist-Friendly Environment: Local residents are generally friendly and helpful towards tourists. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, making it easier to communicate and seek assistance if needed.
- Health Precautions: While Split is safe, it’s always good practice to be aware of health guidelines, especially regarding food and water safety. It’s advisable to drink bottled water and be cautious with street food.
Overall, with standard safety precautions—such as avoiding poorly lit areas at night and securing personal belongings—visitors can enjoy a pleasant and safe experience in Split.
There is free wifi provided at the volunteer house. You will receive a free local SIM card on arrival. Make sure that your phone is unlocked before arrival so that you can use the local SIM card.
We would suggest that you download the App Whatsapp prior to arrival so that you can be added into the volunteer group once you are in Split.
There is excellent phone reception in Split
You will need a European plug.
Croatia is in the Central European Time Zone (CET), which is UTC+1. During Daylight Saving Time (DST), from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, Croatia observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2.
Supervision will be fairly intensive during the first few days, when you will receive a thorough induction and work-related training. Once you are comfortable with things, you might not always have a supervisor working alongside you, but there will always be staff and other volunteers around to help, and you will always be accompanied for any high risk activities.
Staff at Oyster’s head office and in-country will be responsible for your safety and welfare while you are at the project. This will start from the moment you are picked up from the airport until the end of your project. Before and after these times, you will be outside Oyster’s responsibility and should make sure that you act safely and avoid risk. This is also true if you choose to leave the project during your time off. We will give you plenty of guidance and advice about this.
Got a question or want to chat to Project Manager Kate who has first-hand experience of the project? Call +44 (0) 1892 771 973 or email: – [email protected].
