Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Popular

  • Simply send an email to Shay@HelpStay.com 

  • You can cancel your membership account at any time. Simply, send an email to Shay@HelpStay.com instructing us to cancel your account.

  • You can send payment of the yearly membership fee of either Euro €42.99 or €51.99 via Paypal to our email address. Our email address is Shay@HelpStay.com. Once payment is received we’ll activate the account manually.

  • You can send payment of the yearly membership fee of either Euro €42.99 or €51.99 via bank transfer directly to our bank account.

    • Bank Name: N26
    • BIC/Swift: NTSBDEB1XXX
    • IBAN: DE64 1001 1001 2621 5510 23

    Once payment is received, we’ll activate your account manually and let you know. 

  • When experiencing an issue uploading your photo to your About You section, please do the following:

    • Click the Upload Photo button
    • The photo app will create a preview of the photo you’ve selected which you can amend
    • To confirm your selection and amendments, click the Yes Arrow (on a mobile) or Done (on a desktop)
    • Populate the remaining fields of your profile
    • Most importantly, click Save Changes

    About You section should include your photo/avatar, nationality, where you’d like to go, when you’re travelling, projects that interest you, and information about you. Once you populate all these fields, you can message hosts!

  • You cannot ‘delete’ messages but you can ‘archive’ messages to manage your inbox.

    For the purpose of ease of use, we’d recommend accessing the site on a desktop computer as accessing on a mobile device is finicky.

    You can ‘Archive’ unwanted messages in your message-box by clicking the green ‘Archive’ link beside the person’s name/photo. You can archive as many messages as you want.

    This will clean up your mailbox and display only the messages that you want to respond to.

    You can also ‘Unarchive’ a message from inside the ‘Archived’ folder if you ever archived a message by mistake.

  • To add a new individual to your Couple/Friends account after logging in, select the menu option About you from your dashboard.

    On this page, choose the option to Edit your account (It may be located next to or below your name depending on the device you are using).

    Select the Add helper to add an additional person.

    Once done, update your Photo to include everyone who is traveling under the account as well.

  • Some HelpStay hosts welcome helpers with pets.

    Every host has different preferences. If a host welcomes helpers with pets, you’ll find it stated under the What Else section of their profile.

    If not explicitly stated on their profile, ask them, at the very least they will say no.

    Always read the hosts profile carefully, and if in doubt, ask the host the question.

Volunteer

  • What’s the availability of opportunities and how do I know which are current?
    We currently have approx. 1600 projects listed. Some hosts are more engaged than others but all are valid opportunities — all signed up willingly and by their own initiative.
     
    First, we advise that you start planning 3-4 months in advance. Membership lasts for 1 year so you have plenty of time to plan and arrange a stay.
     
    Once joined, we recommend that you spend some time on the website browsing and bookmarking at least 5-10 of the opportunities that you think might be of interest.
     
    We suggest that you reach out to all of your bookmarked choices, and then wait and see what comes back. If you have an open mind, are amenable, and are flexible around travel dates, we’re confident that you’ll receive a number of positive responses.
     
    In the meantime, be sure to sign up to our free guide at https://helpstay.com/ebooks, you’ll find tips about arranging your stay, and we’ll also add you to our newsletter where each week we post details of hosts who’re currently seeking helpers.
     
    Finally, we’re always on hand if you need any help.
  • What is hostel volunteer work and what is a typical day like?

    Hostel volunteer work is a great way to reduce your accommodation expenses when travelling overseas.

    By exchanging a few hours of honest help in a backpacker hostel, you can snag yourself a free bed along with other perks such as free breakfast, meals, tours and wifi. We have the whole article about it and you can read it here >>

    A typical day of a volunteer in a hostel depends on which shift you’re working. Each one has different tasks. Our team member with huge experience as hostel volunteer explains it in a video which you can watch here >>

  • Where to volunteer for the first time?

    If you are a first-timer we would recommend to choose a country which is reasonably popular among travelers, which is considered safe and where you can get easily with as little paperwork as possible. Examples: Western Europe, USA, Canada, Thailand, Vietnam.

    If you’re looking for more detailed information, we’ve recorded a video about this topic. You can see it here >>

  • Can I list my volunteering experience in my CV/resume?

    Yes, totally! 

    If you’d like to learn more, we’ve recorded a video covering this topic. You can watch it here >>

  • What kind of visa do I need to volunteer/offer help abroad?

    If you’re going to volunteer in a non-governmental organization or a foundation you will need a special visa for volunteers, depending on the country.

    However, most hosts on HelpStay are not non-governmental organizations, they are private people willing to invite travelers to their homes and projects. Many HelpStay members have done it on tourist visa as it is not technically volunteering. It’s a friendly exchange of help for stay.

    Watch this video we’ve recorded which contains many more important details on this topic >>

    Remmeber that obtaining a correct visa is your responsibility and the best point of contact is the embassy.

  • What is the best age to volunteer?

    Anytime that is right for you!

    Legally, you can volunteer when you are 18. In some places, maximum age is 21 or more – but most often it is 18.

    As for maximum age – there is no maximum as long as you can do the work. We have happy 50 and 60 year-olds in our community.

    You can find out more about the age in our video here >>

  • I’m middle-aged or retired. Can I volunteer?

    Yes! And let us assure you, you will have great fun ? 

    If you’d like to know more, we’ve recorded a video covering this topic. You can watch it here >> 

    If you have any doubts, read our article where we answer the question, “Are you too old to travel?”

    Also in our Facebook group Volunteering Abroad Community there are many experienced middle-aged volunteers. You can ask your questions there.

  • I’m afraid to volunteer and travel alone. What do I do?

    No worries, it’s totally normal and ok to be afraid. Here are some tips how to overcome this fear and follow your dreams anyway:

    – choose a country which is considered safe
    – choose a country with culture and/or language similar to your own
    – make a plan of your trip to have a feeling of control
    – keep a family member or a friend updated on your plans and whereabouts 
    – get insurance
    – talk to other travelers/volunteers on Facebook groups like our Volunteering Abroad Community. Ask all questions you may have!
    – find a NGO to go volunteering with

    All these points are explained further in a video we made. You can watch it here >>

    Good luck! 🙂

  • Should I travel solo or in a group?

    There is no right or wrong answer here. Both ways of traveling and volunteering are great, it depends what suits you most. There are pros and cons of each options. We’ve recorded a video covering them – you can watch it here >>

    Good luck! ?

  • How can I increase my chances of being accepted onto a volunteering project?

    Some projects are competitive and more in demand than others. To give yourself the best chance of being accepted, follow these steps:

    1. Work on your profile on HelpStay.
    – add a good, clear photo of you, your smiley happy face.
    – write a few sentences about yourself, your experience, why you want to volunteer 
    – list all your useful skills
    – be honest, put your personality into the profile.

    2. When you’re applying to the position:
    – read through ALL the information the host has provided
    – in your message to the host, refer to what you’ve read in their profile
    – make it personal. Do not send a generic message.

    If you’re looking for more detailed tips, we’ve recorded a video covering this topic and you can watch it here >>

    We hope you’ll be accepted to your dream project! ?

Host

  • How do I give feedback to the volunteer?

    On HelpStay the helper must leave feedback to you first.

    When their feedback is published, you (the host) will receive an email notification that you’ve received feedback. Then in turn you can leave feedback.

    You can read more about that in an article here >>

  • Can I talk to other hosts and share experiences?

    Sure! Go to our Facebook group, Volunteering Abroad Community here >>
    There are numerous hosts willing to share experience.

    Also we have interviewed a couple of hosts. You can read the interviews in this section of our blog.

Privacy and safety

  • Where can I see feedback and reviews?

    Feedback and reviews are important to us and on completion of a stay both hosts and helpers have the option of reviewing their experience.

    Where there is feedback, you can view the feedback by scrolling towards the end of the host project page e.g see project Fancy a Working Holiday in the Alps? (France).

    By using the search facility, you can also search for Stays with reviews.

    Reviews and feedback play a role but communication is vital. Before committing to a trip, we strongly encourage both helper and host to get to know each other, to ask lots of questions of each other and have many conversations, including at least one via Skype or phone.

    Remember both host and helper agree terms of the stay between them. We also strongly encourage travellers to read our Guide To Exchanging Work For Accommodation.

  • How are hosts vetted?

    We’re selective with our host community; every host is screened and approved by our team.

    Our team cross checks host contact details online by researching and matching them to where a website, Facebook or linkedin account exists.

    Additionally, we require all hosts to provide a detailed profile about themselves, describing their organisation, tasks and help required, fees(if applicable), expected hours of help, along with details on the accommodation and living arrangements offered.

    Host profiles are accompanied by a genuine photo of the project contact person (if deemed necessary) along with photos from the project, creating a visual representation as to what to expect to see on arrival.

Using HelpStay

  • We like to work with hosts who believe in hospitality, volunteering, and travelling and are willing to share their skills and know-how. Hosts tend to get back as much as they are willing to put into the idea and exchange.

    Helpers provide their help with the host’s day-to-day routine which is 100% voluntary and its details (including the daily duration of help) are agreed upon a discussion between the helper and the host, based on a mutual understanding of the host’s needs and the helper’s willingness to learn, skills and abilities.

    Generally, helpers lend a helping hand for anything between 20-30 hours per week (7-day period).

    HelpStay is about trust – trusting that hosts and helpers will treat each other fairly and respectfully, and will enjoy the sharing and learning experience. Hosts on HelpStay should be interested in meeting new people and sharing experiences. They should be able to provide a welcoming friendly environment for visitors as well as offering accommodation and food.

    Hosts running a business (or asking for help with a business activity) should provide accommodation and pay at least the minimum wage in their country for all hours worked.

  • What’s the minimum age for volunteering?

    You can view the minimum age requirements on the host project page. You’ll find the minimum age requirement under the tab named Overview.

    Normally, 18 years of age is the preferred minimum age for volunteering abroad.

    However, we do list projects that are suitable for under 18s. One such opportunity that we list is in Spain and if you’re interested, you can read details at this link.