Over the years, CRP has benefited greatly from the input of volunteer workers from Bangladesh and overseas. There are two categories of volunteer: long-term volunteers, who often come to work at their chosen profession e.g. physiotherapists, and short-term volunteers, who perform a wide variety of jobs.

Long-term volunteers
There is a great need for trained physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists to work at CRP. If coming for a longer period (six months or more), it would be desirable to have at least two years' post graduate experience. The need is greatest in the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute where experience therapists are required to train students and supervise placements. Lecturing experience is not required and all courses are taken in English. Student placements are located in CRP, hospitals in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh.

Other professionals are also encouraged to work as volunteers at CRP. Examples of other professional posts are Bio-medical Scientist or Radiologist.

Click here to apply online
Click here to view the CRP Volunteer guidelines
Click here to view an exemplar contract

Short-term vVolunteers
Short-term volunteers work in any department at CRP. Usually, a volunteer will have special interests or skills which lead him or her to work in a specific area. However, the need to be flexible and use one's initiative is very important. For prospective short-term volunteers it should be stressed that there are very many mundane tasks to be done at CRP. The joy of working at CRP comes not from the task itself, but rather, from the reason for performing that task.

Five days a week there are sports activities for patients in the afternoon. This is popular among volunteers who help organising different games, and often participate themselves. Activities include wheelchair basketball, archery, darts and skittles.

Secure accommodation on CRP premises is provided at minimal cost for the duration of a volunteer's stay at CRP. For short-term volunteers this will be in the CRP Guest House where there are single or double rooms. Double rooms will usually be shared with another volunteer. Shared cooking facilities and bathroom are available on both floors of the Guest House. If staying for more than six months at CRP there are flats to rent on the premises. Again, these will usually be shared with other volunteers. Conditions in both the Guest House and the flats are basic by European standards. Electricity and cold running water are provided. Meals can be ordered for a minimal cost. Most volunteers order lunch and make their own dinner and breakfast.

Excursions to places of interest are often arranged for volunteers, either with patients, staff or as a group of volunteers. To help prospective volunteers get a realistic idea of what living and working at CRP is really like, we have compiled a selection of reports from returned volunteers.

For more information on volunteering possibilities, please e-mail CRP with any queries. CRP's staff will get back to you as soon as possible with advice and assistance. Detailed volunteer guidelines are also available by clicking on the link below.

Click here to apply online
Click here to view the CRP Volunteer guidelines