Volunteer sponsorship

Many of our short-term team members serve on a voluntary basis as members of Association Vacances Le Pas Opton. Some, especially students who give up part of their summer vacation to lead children's and youth activities, need some financial benefit before returning to their studies.

So we've set up a sponsorship fund to help make volunteering more financially viable. Here's some more information:

  • Eligiblity: any volunteer who is accepted to serve for four weeks or more may apply for sponsorship
  • Amount: successful applicants will normally be given €150 per week of volunteering at LPO
  • Timing: as soon as a volunteer is accepted, they can apply for sponsorship although payment will not be made until the end of their service at LPO. Recruitment for most relevant roles takes place in February/March
  • Administration: the fund is held and administered by Essential Christian, the charity registered in England of which Spring Harvest is a part.

We are actively seeking donations towards the anticipated requirement for about €45,000 per season. You can donate right now, by clicking here. Part of the Sunday offerings given during the season at Le Pas Opton will also be used to support the fund.

Information for applicants

Please don’t try to apply until you have been accepted for a volunteer role at Le Pas Opton. Make sure you have applied by the time you start your volunteering in France. Thank you!

How to apply:

In a Word document or pdf, on one side of A4, please give us the following information.

  • Your name and address, a phone number and email address
  • The volunteer role and the dates for which you have been accepted
  • A brief summary of your financial situation (where the income comes from, what your main costs are). We don’t need exact figures, just an overview.
  • A few sentences about your hopes and dreams for working with us.

Email your document to [email protected] and we’ll usually give you a decision within 14 days.

Information for donors

You can make a difference by supporting the SHH Sponsorship Fund.

The fund provides some income for volunteers, usually students, who serve for four weeks or more in the summer. These people might otherwise need to choose a different summertime job.

Our vision for these animateurs is that they bring godly character, energy and creativity to our kids and youth work, making it a fun and life-changing experience for our guests.

We know that the young adults who fulfil these roles often have leadership potential and are likely to make an impact for God’s kingdom in years to come. We ensure that their time at LPO contributes to their growth and maturing, with plenty of learning opportunities and practical experience.

£11 per month sponsors a young volunteer for a week

£65 per month sponsors a high season children’s worker for their whole summer of serving

You can donate by

  • Making a monthly contribution by direct debit
  • Making a one-off donation online
  • Supporting the Sunday offerings at Le Pas Opton. These offerings are shared between several beneficiaries including the Sponsorship Fund.

To be fully donor-funded, we need to raise about £40,000 each year. Please consider prayerfully about a generous donation that will have a real effect on the life of a volunteer and many guests.

Spring Harvest Holidays is an independent company,
part of the Essential Christian family.

Essential Christian, registered charity number 1126997, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number 06667924.