Teaching in African village schools is one of the VSO options

Swapping the rat race in the UK for a clinic in rural India or a schoolroom in China is certainly a break from the norm - but that is just the experience for hundreds of Voluntary Service Overseas volunteers.

VSO volunteer in action (Photo:VSO)

VSO is organising an information evening at Southampton's civic centre, hoping to attract more volunteers to swap lifestyles and share their skills with developing communities across the world.

The organisation currently has 2000 volunteers working in 74 of the world's poorest countries. Volunteers are aged between 21 and 68 and come from a wide variety of job backgrounds.

Scientific experts are amongst those sought by VSO (Photo:VSO)

Most VSO volunteers work in the foreign postings for two years. During that time they get paid the a local salary.

Teachers, IT experts, environmental and medical workers are amongst those that the organisation is most keen to attract.

By the time they leave, they aim to have left some of their share skills and knowledge with local people to ensure their work continues in the community after they have left.

The VSO information evening is taking place at Southampton Guildhall on Thursday February 22nd at 7.30pm