Do volunteer work with children and the elderly in China for teenagers and support the work of local staff at your placement. You’ll focus on encouraging children to learn through play, and be an extra pair of helping hands for staff. You’ll also spend time with elderly people, going for walks or doing activities. This is a great way to help people while travelling and gaining practical experience at the same time.
You’ll work in care centres that support young children or seniors. Many of the centres we work with are understaffed, and your help can make a big difference in what we can do for each person. You’ll do educational activities and play games with the kids, and do light renovation work, like painting a classroom. You’ll also help with exercise activities for the seniors.
You’ll live and work in Chengdu with teenagers your age, and stay together in a hostel or in shared apartments. When you’re not working, we’ve organised cultural and social activities to keep you busy, along with an exciting weekend trip. All activities are supervised and organised by Projects Abroad staff.
Price Calculator
Please note this calculator is for pricing information only. You will need to choose your final dates and duration on our application form.
When you apply you only pay 19,500 INR or $295, which comes off the total price.
Looking to do more than one project? Call us on 011 40079295 to see if we can offer a discount.
Project Overview
Trip Format:
High School Specials - Hassle-free, pre-planned trips for 15-18 year olds that help you step out of your comfort zone
Project Name:
China > Childcare & Community Work
Start Dates:
Fixed dates during school holidays
Minimum Duration:
Two Weeks
Requirements :
This project is only for 15-18 year olds
Is community volunteer work in China for teenagers right for me?
Community volunteer work in China is a good fit for you if you enjoy working with children and spending time with the elderly. Use your energy to support kids and seniors, and get your hands dirty when doing practical renovation work. Best of all, you’ll get to do this while travelling with the safety of a group and constant supervision from Projects Abroad staff.
This is a great way to add child and elderly care experience to your CV, which could help your future career. It will also help you stand out in applications and interviews, as it will show your commitment to helping others. In addition, this experience will also give you some independence, and develop your teamwork and communication skills.
You don’t need any experience to join. This project is specifically designed for young people your age, and the local staff will teach you everything you need to know.
This High School Special runs over fixed dates in the summer, and you can pick the dates that best fits your schedule. We have a set itinerary and extra staff support. This means that from the moment you arrive at the airport in-country, everything is organised for you.

What will I do on this project?
You’ll work with the elderly and with children in a care centre. Your main focus will be on encouraging kids to learn through play, and assisting older citizens during activities. These are some ways you will get involved:
- Run educational games for children at your placement to encourage learning through play
- Roll up your sleeves and get involved with community work
- Assist seniors during activities and be an extra pair of hands
- Get to know teenage volunteers from around the world during social activities and weekend trips
Your work will focus on the following areas:
Run educational games for children at your placement to encourage learning through play
Your main focus will to be run educational games and activities for the children. These games should be focused on getting the young ones to learn through play. You can do things like:
- Play a game of hopscotch to teach numbers
- Teach children fun gestures as they sing an English song
- Teach hand-eye coordination through a ball game
The educational activities you do will vary if you work with special needs children.
Roll up your sleeves and get involved with community work
Community volunteer work for teenagers in China will also include renovation work at your placement or general chores. Give a drab looking wall a splash of colour, help with simple chores like sweeping, or take part in a community clean-up in a public space, like a park. We strongly recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!
Assist seniors during activities and be an extra pair of hands
At your placement, you’ll take part in volunteer work with the elderly. You’ll encourage seniors to take part in physical activities like going for a walk or doing stretching exercises. You may be asked to wash and comb someone’s hair or simply play a game like draughts. This is important work, as local staff have their hands full, and need help giving the elderly the extra care and companionship they need.
Get to know teenage volunteers from the world during social activities and weekend trips
Volunteer work with children and the elderly for teenagers in China will also give you the opportunity to meet people your age from all over the world! You’ll do things like:
- Have a Mandarin lesson
- Visit a panda sanctuary
- See the Leshan Giant Buddha
These moments are perfect to strike up a conversation with someone from another part of the world and become friends.
Where in China will I work?
Chengdu
Our Childcare & Community High School Special is located in Chengdu.
The city has a population of around 14 million people and was voted as one of the most liveable cities in China. Chengdu is more traditional than cities like Shanghai, so this is a great chance to learn more about the traditions and culture.
You will work in a care centre that caters to different groups of people. You’ll live in a hostel or shared apartments with your group. When you are not working, we have plenty of social and cultural activities to keep you busy, along with a weekend trip. Through it all, Projects Abroad staff will be by your side. Enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of China with us!
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The aim of this project is to support staff by helping with children and the elderly at our care centre in China.
In China, local staff at our partner placement need extra pairs of hands to give the young and old more care and attention. The children stay here during the day because both parents need to work to support the family. Seniors who live at the centre are there for varying reasons.
You’ll become part of our ongoing efforts to help the children and the elderly in China. You’ll focus on helping children learn through play, you’ll teach English, and you’ll encourage children to practice good hygiene everyday. You’ll give the elderly companionship and care.
Join this Childcare & Community High School Special for teenagers and help us work towards achieving these goals in China.

Management Plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring Our Impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.

I had a brilliant time in Chengdu and the outcome was very rewarding. The feeling of being able to freely explore somewhere so unlike home yet so comfortable at the same time is something I won’t forget, and has me itching for my next adventure
Jeevan K
Volunteer Work with Children and the Elderly for Teenagers in China
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