In 2013 The Better Care Network and Save the Children UK began an inter-agency initiative to review and share existing knowledge on international volunteerism as related to the alternative care of children in developing countries. This initiative brings together key actors from across the child protection, education, corporate, faith-based and tourism sectors to share their respective experiences and identify global communication and engagement strategies to address the issue.
The purpose of this study was not to conduct formal academic research on the topic of volunteering in residential care centres, but rather to provide an overview of current perspectives, literature and initiatives in this area. Throughout the process, an overall picture of volunteering in residential care centres was garnered, and a range of lessons were learned, along with key advice and recommendations from interview informants on how to promote change in this setting.
