Advertisement feature: Volunteering hints and tips from Original Volunteers

Volunteering for the first time can be a scary experience - there's so much to organise before you even leave the country, and there are so many things to think about. However, whether you're new to volunteering or an old pro, there are still lots of tips and tricks to pick up. So, without further ado, take a deep breath, get yourself a mug of something warm, and read on...

To start (and this does sound daft, we know), make sure you know where you're heading. Plenty of volunteers are left disappointed every year when they unpack their trunks and discover they're 500 miles from a beach. Secondly, unless you're volunteering in Morocco, make sure that you book your flight as soon as possible. Flights to Morocco are frequently subject to last-minute deals, but other destinations need to be booked as quickly as possible. The longer you leave it, the more expensive it will be.

Talking of flights - always make sure that you shop around. You can get a great deal if you call or visit flight agents, tell them you've seen a flight for a particular price and ask them to beat it. If you have to head to London to sort your visa, make sure you're happy with your Tube journey, you know the address of the embassy you're visiting, you know which documents you need to take with you, and you call ahead to check their opening and closing times. Always make sure that your passport has over six months of use left before you travel - to ignore renewing it is asking for trouble.

Trying to learn a few key phrases of the local language before you leave can be incredibly helpful. 'What's your name?', 'How much does it cost?' and 'It's very nice' are all useful - the latter because you'll probably be shown food or goods, and you need to be able to reply politely.

Finding a travel buddy or two is always a lovely idea, but never fret if you set off without having made a new friend via Facebook or Twitter who's also going on the trip. Once you're abroad, you'll make new friends easily and quickly.

A rucksack is more suitable than a suitcase for many reasons - you can squash your belongings down, creating more room, and you can also carry it on your back. Don't rely on those suitcases with wheels; they are well-renowned for breaking once they are on the first stretch of difficult terrain. Plus, if there are quite a few of you arriving on the same flight (this is very likely), it's easier for you all to put your belongings in the car. However, make sure that you securely tuck the straps of your rucksack away - if they get caught in airport conveyor belts, they'll rip your bag apart.

If you're heading anywhere warm, wet wipes and dry shampoo are a must-have. Don't take anything expensive or unsuitable, such as jewellery and designer clothes. Being practical and comfortable is more important than looking good; you may be outside for most of the day doing hard work, or teaching kids that love to run around. Make sure that you're dressed comfortably and modestly at all times.

If you're a fussy eater or apprehensive about the food you'll be eating, it's best to sample some of your country's cuisine before you leave. Remember that if you're heading to a hot country, taking dairy or chocolate with you will backfire; it’ll go off within minutes of landing or it'll melt beyond recognition before you leave the airport.

When it comes to vaccinations, every surgery tends to give out different advice. Some surgeries will say that it can take five months for you to complete your course of jabs; technically, any course shouldn't take this long, and question any receptionist who says that it will. If you find yourself running out of time and you still haven't finished your course, you may have to go to a private travel health clinic to make sure you're fully covered. It's always worth checking out the NHS Fit for Travel  site to find out which vaccinations you'll need first-hand; don't rely on your surgery to do all the legwork for you.