International Volunteering

Gryphons Abroad

Want to be part of a life changing international development project in South Africa? In August 2023 our Gryphons Abroad project will return and we will deliver a new pilot project engaging young people in rural South Africa in a programme of cycling, sport and education. The project has aspiration, cultural & global awareness and employability for both UK students and South African pupils at its heart and you’ll develop a range of skills which set you apart when you leave University.

The project is delivered in partnership with Leeds Trinity University, The Bambisanani Partnership, KZN Department of Education, KZN Cycling and Durban University of Technology (DUT).

Find out more about the project and how you could be part of the 2023 team below!

Find out more about the project and find out how you could be part of the team going next year below.

Get Involved

Join the Team

Applications for the summer 2023 programme have now CLOSED. We aim to take a small team of students 6-8 and 2 staff members to pilot our new programme in August 2023. The programme will run for the duration of August (a period of 4 weeks in South Africa).

Any University of Leeds student can apply for the programme – you do not need any experience of teaching cycling or sport as full training will be provided. You will have the opportunity to travel to another country and engage in a service-learning project – not only will you make a clear impact on the lives of pupils in rural South Africa, you will also expand your own global and cultural awareness and graduate level skills. As the project is being redeveloped, we are looking for students who are flexible, adaptable and comfortable with some ambiguity.

To become a team member students will be required to fundraise – the fundraising target is TBC as we price up the cost of travel and accommodation in South Africa at this time. The fundraising total will cover all costs associated with the trip along with a contribution to the project costs e.g. the cost of setting up the cycling hub. This is a challenge in itself but support is available to help you achieve this. Through the University of Leeds Turing scheme all students can also apply for a cost-of-living grant and students from underrepresented groups can apply for additional cost of living funds as well as travel funding. The Turing funding aims to open up access to international opportunities to all and we encourage students from all backgrounds to apply. You can read more about the Turing scheme here.

To apply to become a team member you must submit a one-page application describing why you’d like to be part of the project and what skills you would bring to the team. This should be submitted to Suzzi Garnett, Sports Workforce Manager on s.garnett@leeds.ac.uk by Friday 11th November. You may then be invited to an informal individual interview with our staff team to discuss the project and your application in more detail.

Any questions about the project can be directed to Suzzi. We have recorded a screen share presentation with further information about the 2023 project which can be shared on request.

Please note this opportunity is exclusively aimed at current University of Leeds students only. Applications will not be accepted from the wider public or from other local institutions (However, Leeds Trinity & Leeds Beckett run their own international programmes for their students).

Project Information

The Gryphons Abroad project has three aspects

1. Cycle Hubs
2. Classroom engagement
3. Cultural exchange

Cycle Hubs

Through partnership work with KZN Cycling, we will work to set up ‘cycling hubs’ in rural schools. Cycling hubs are basically shipping containers to house bikes and bike maintenance equipment in rural areas. We will support the launch of a new hub delivering learn to ride and bike maintenance clinics alongside KZN staff members, who will sustain the work longer term. Access to cycling can be life changing in rural areas as children & young people face long walks to access education and employment.

Classroom engagement

Parallel to this Leeds Trinity’s trainee teachers will deliver classroom sessions in the same schools supporting curriculum aims as well as working alongside existing teachers to develop knowledge and confidence on both sides.

Cultural exchange

We also plan to work alongside the Durban University of Technology for the first time to facilitate a cultural exchange between UK and SA students giving you an understanding of university life in South Africa and the unique opportunity to collaborate with and share your interests with South African students.

The schools & partners we will work with are identified by the KZN department of education and we aim to position our work in the areas of greatest need across the Eshowe region of Kwa Zulu Natal. Cycling & education enable pupils in rural areas to gain valuable life skills and confidence. A girl holding a ball doing sports activities