Gap Year for Grown Ups (www.gapyearforgrownups.co.ups) is delighted to announce the introduction of Romania, Moldova, Albania and Ukraine to its range of volunteer programmes around the world. The addition of these Eastern European projects is a welcome development for the company, who now offer volunteering, work and travel in over 30 countries.

Help is needed in many underprivileged communities in Romania, Moldova, Albania and Ukraine slowly recover from their turbulent past, and struggle to rebuild a secure economic future. “Our voluntary work in Eastern Europe offers a great opportunity to really make a difference to our neighbours,” says Marketing Manager Rachael Wood.

By helping to teach English to school children in Moldova, one of the very poorest countries in Europe, volunteers are able to create employment opportunities for students and local teachers, and help them to contribute to the development of their country. Volunteers do not need any specific skills, just lots of enthusiasm and a friendly manner.  Volunteers in Moldova will also gain an insight into the everyday life and culture of the Moldovans, and are free to explore the surrounding countryside and the inspiring capital Kishinev, almost untouched by Western tourism (4 weeks costs £699).

Romania too is an exciting place to explore. With majestic castles, medieval towns, breathtaking mountains, rivers and wildlife, it is a great place to visit. Combining travel and volunteering in Romania can be very rewarding.

Transforming children's lives through play is a new concept in Romania, and on the Romania Child-care Programme volunteers have an opportunity to unlock their creative skills through drawing, painting, music, dance, games and drama which they will take into orphanages, children hospitals, day care centres and schools (4 weeks costs £699), and programmes begin on the first Monday of every month.

At the age of 18 young people with learning difficulties are dismissed from the state-run orphanages to fend for themselves. The Romanian Young People with Learning Difficulties programme aims to help and support these often-forgotten teenagers as they enter the ‘real' world. The ‘Arc' is a halfway house, and helps to re-integrate the young people back into society by assisting them with day-to-day duties, finding a job, opening a bank account, organising their money, keeping house, and so on. This truly rewarding programme costs £599 for 6 weeks.

Over 100, 000 children still reside in orphanages in the Ukraine. The children either have no family, or their family cannot financially support them. Help is needed to boost their self-esteem, to show that someone cares for them and to help improve their employment opportunities by assisting with education and other life skills. All the orphanages are near the capital Kiev, and volunteers live with host families, and are able to explore the local community with other volunteers. 4 week projects from £699.

Located in one of the most endangered parts of the Albanian coastline is the opportunity to work on the Albania Conservation and Environmental Programme, where volunteers are needed to help in important archaeological and conservation work to help preserve Albania's ancient past in an UNESCO World Heritage site. 4 week projects from £979.

Gap year for Grown Ups specialises in projects for adults aged 30 plus looking for a career break, some time out, or a complete life-changing experience. All their advisors have travelled, and continue to travel themselves, and are able to offer lots of helpful tips and advice on how to get started, where to go and what to do.

Sister company Real Gap Experience (www.realgap.co.uk) is one of the UK's biggest gap year providers for young people and has more choice of programmes and destinations than any other operator.

Gap Year for Grown Ups 01892 701881/  www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk

For media information/ photos etc please contact:
Jennette Baxter PR Consultant  01342 316337 / 0794 0174 303 pr@baxter1.clara.net