Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO)

RCPCH currently operates a volunteering scheme in conjunction with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). 

RCPCH/VSO Fellowship Scheme

Recruiting now!

The RCPCH/VSO scheme is currently recruiting for placements in Ethiopia, Cameroon, the Gambia and Sierra Leone. Fellows work for a year in a developing country, using their clinical, teaching and managerial skills to improve local paediatric services.

If you have, or expect to have, MRCPCH in the next six months and are interested see the VSO website - paediatrics section. Applications from Consultant Paediatricians are particularly welcome.

About the scheme 

The VSO Fellowship Scheme offers Specialist Trainees one-year placements working to improve child health in developing countries:

• the Fellowship offers one-year placements working in paediatrics and child health in developing countries
• Fellowship placements are Out Of Programme Experience (OOPE) with structured support from RCPCH to evidence personal and professional learning
• Fellows develop their teaching, managerial and clinical skills, working in partnership with local professionals to improve outcomes for some of the poorest children in the world

Support:

• Trainees are supported by one or two senior doctors, providing a level of supervision. One is an in-country senior doctor available on a regular basis for advice and guidance. One is a UK-based paediatrician who will remain in regular contact via email. This can be your existing educational supervisor. 
• VSO provides comprehensive training, living allowance, accommocation and health insurance. An in-country team of VSO staff and volunteers provide support while you are overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 29KB, 3 pages)

Being a Fellow

'You can certainly expect to make a lasting difference... Not only are you making a difference for the individual patients and children that you are looking after, you can make a difference by training doctors to continue the work that you've been doing after you've left.' - Olly Jefferis, Paediatric ST and Fellow 2006-7, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi

Watch Olly on DVD

You can read about past and current Fellows experiences on our Members activities overseas page. 

Further information

VSOs new campaign You to the Power of 10 illustrates the impact you could have as a volunteer.

 Medicine to the Power of Ten (PDF, 74KB, 1 page)