Elderly Care & Support Volunteer Program

The Elderly Care & Support Volunteer Program is for people who want to spend time supporting older people and community care activities in the Galle area.

The program is available year-round for volunteers aged 17 and above. Regular volunteer hours run from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday. The fee is $180 per week.

What is the Elderly Care & Support Program?

This program focuses on senior and community support placements in the Galle area.

Volunteers may spend time offering companionship, helping with suitable activities and assisting with practical tasks requested by the local placement. The work is social and supportive rather than a substitute for professional nursing or medical care.

The exact daily responsibilities depend on the placement and the people being supported.

What can volunteers help with?

Depending on the placement, activities can include:

• spending time with residents
• offering companionship and conversation
• organising simple recreational activities
• helping with arts, crafts and games where appropriate
• supporting social activities
• assisting with practical non-clinical tasks when requested
• contributing to general community support activities

The placement should guide volunteers on what is appropriate. Personal care, medication, medical treatment and other clinical responsibilities should only be handled by qualified staff unless the placement has separately confirmed a supervised professional role.

What does a typical day look like?

Volunteer hours normally run from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday.

The routine can vary. Some mornings may focus on conversation and companionship. Others may involve group activities, light practical help or supporting staff with non-clinical tasks.

Older people are not a single type of participant, so the pace and activity level should follow the individuals at the placement rather than a fixed volunteer script.

Who can join?

The minimum age is 17.

This program can suit volunteers who are patient, comfortable spending time with older people and willing to follow local guidance. Previous experience in care can be useful. Ask the team about any placement-specific qualification requirements.

Volunteers with regulated healthcare qualifications should not assume they will perform clinical work. Any professional duties need separate confirmation from the placement.

Why choose a longer placement?

A longer stay gives volunteers more time to understand routines and become familiar with the people they see regularly. In a care setting, consistency can matter more than trying to organise a large number of activities in a short period.

Airport pickup is also included for volunteers staying four weeks or longer.

Accommodation and daily life in Galle

Volunteers stay at the Volunteer House at No. 24, Buonavista, Rumassala, Galle 80600. Each volunteer has a single air-conditioned room, and free Wi-Fi is available at the house.

The accommodation is around a five-minute tuk-tuk ride from Galle City. Breakfast and dinner are prepared daily. Meals are mainly Sri Lankan, with some Western dishes included in the weekly menu. Sri Lankan food can be spicier than some visitors are used to and may include seafood and meat. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

Western food and other dining options are easy to find in the Unawatuna area.

The daily routine at the Volunteer House starts with breakfast, with meditation included as part of the morning routine for volunteers who wish to take part.

Free time around Galle and Unawatuna

Regular volunteer hours finish in the morning, so afternoons are generally available for rest, local travel or personal plans. Weekends fall outside the usual Monday to Friday placement schedule.

Possible activities around the south coast include visiting Galle Fort, spending time at Unawatuna Beach, snorkelling or diving around Unawatuna, visiting Jungle Beach, travelling toward Mirissa, swimming at the Talpe Rock Pools, visiting Koggala Lake and exploring Kanneliya Rainforest.

Travel activities, entrance fees, tours and transport are separate unless they are specifically included in your confirmed arrangement.

Airport pickup

Airport pickup is provided for volunteers who commit to four weeks or more. If you plan a shorter stay, confirm your arrival transport before travelling so you know how you will get from the airport to Galle.

How to apply

1. Choose this volunteer program.
2. Select your preferred dates and planned length of stay.
3. Complete the volunteer application.
4. Wait for confirmation of your placement and stay arrangements.
5. Prepare for your trip to Sri Lanka.
6. Arrive in Galle and begin your placement.

Because placements depend on local arrangements, submit your preferred dates before making assumptions about availability for a particular week.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the elderly care volunteer program cost?

The program fee is $180 per week.

Where is the placement?

The program operates in the Rumassala and Galle area of southern Sri Lanka.

What will I do?

Activities can include companionship, recreation, social interaction and non-clinical practical help. Exact duties are confirmed by the local placement.

Is this a medical or nursing placement?

The general program should be treated as a support placement, not a medical role. Clinical tasks require appropriate qualifications, supervision and separate confirmation.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 17.

When does the program run?

It is available year-round, subject to confirmation for your preferred dates.

What are the volunteer hours?

Regular hours are 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday.

Are accommodation and meals included?

Yes. A single air-conditioned room, breakfast, dinner and Wi-Fi are included.

Apply for the Elderly Care & Support Program

Include your preferred dates, planned length of stay and any relevant care experience in your application. The team can then confirm the most suitable current placement and responsibilities.