Volunteering internationally
We are committed to supporting mental health care across the world, particularly in countries that are known to suffer from an acute shortage of psychiatrists.
The RCPsych is committed to working with long-term, dedicated partners in the spirit of sustainable international development. As a result, opportunities for involvement may not arise frequently, but when they do, they are diverse and impactful. These opportunities may include delivering online training, providing mentorship, facilitating observerships, translating patient information leaflets, and more.
The College’s focus on meaningful, enduring collaborations ensures that all activities are aligned with the broader goals of sustainable mental health development across regions.
By joining the RCPsych Volunteer Scheme, you will be added to a pool of individuals we reach out to when opportunities become available to collaborate with partners with whom we have an established, project-based relationship.
If you’re a College member, you can register as a volunteer and we will add your details to our volunteer database by completing our volunteer scheme registration form.
Once you are registered, we will reach out to you as suitable opportunities become available. All our volunteer roles are connected to our project work, which is grounded in long-term, committed partnerships.
Additionally, all roles at the College are volunteer positions. If you are interested in dedicating your time to an RCPsych-based role, please visit this link.
The RCPsych never directly approaches countries or services; instead, we wait to be contacted with a specific need in mind. Once a request is made, we take it to the International Advisory Committee for discussion to determine if it is an area where the College can truly make a difference. This approach ensures that our involvement is both responsive and impactful, focusing on areas where we can offer meaningful support.
If your institution, organisation or charity is interested in working with the RCPsych on a volunteer project, please get in touch with Agnes Raboczki, International Liaison Manager, to discuss further.
The College firmly believes that emergency intervention should be left to specialised agencies and professionals who possess the appropriate training, adhering to the principle of 'do no harm'. We will never deploy volunteers to areas that have not been approved by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Instead, we will reach out to sister organisations to offer support that is suitable for the specific situation.
Please see the following guidance related to volunteering in international emergencies: