Terms and Conditions

General

1. The applicant certifies that the information given in the Application Form is correct and acknowledges that any false information may compromise their participation to the programme.
2. The applicant declares that they are 18 yrs old on the start date of the programme
3. The applicant declares that they have never been arrested or convicted of a criminal offence.
4. The applicant declares that they speak good conversational English.
5. The applicant must read carefully all the materials related to safety, health, and legal, environmental, political, cultural and religious customs and conditions of the hosting country provided by Twin and its affiliates.
6. Twin strongly advises that no travel arrangements be made before a programme is confirmed.
7. Twin shall not be responsible for or deemed to be in default by reason of delays in or failure of performance of this agreement due to causes beyond its reasonable control and not being limited to civil war, war between nations, insurrections, strikes, riots, fires, floods, explosions, earthquakes, serious accidents, any act of government, governmental priorities, allocations, regulations, or orders affecting materials or facilities, acts of God or the public enemy, failure of transportation, epidemics, quarantine restrictions, or labour trouble causing cessation, slowdown or interruption of work and failure of suppliers and sub-contractors to furnish labour or materials within their contractual delivery times.
8. By signing these terms and conditions the participants agree to Twin using any photographs/images or quotes (verbal or written) that are provided by the participant or documented by Twin. Such images/quotes may be used in Twin’s promotional material, such as website, leaflets, posters, brochures. Such images and quotes may be accompanied by the participant’s name, age, area of residence.
9. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, Twin are a data controller. Twin may need to transfer the personal data the participant provides us to our overseas partner. This is necessary in order to secure the placement or in order to protect your interests (for example in the case of a participant becoming ill, Twin may need to transfer any medical information provided on their application form to assist in any medical treatments they may require).

Programme

1. Twin and its affiliates are at times forced to make changes to services and reserve the right to do so. Changes will be minor and may only involve commencement of placement. If a significant change needs to be made, the applicant will be informed as soon as possible about the necessary changes prior to their departure and in case of a cancellation a full refund will be made. Please note that Twin will not be held responsible for any travel costs incurred.
2. If an applicant wishes to change travel dates they must inform Twin of this change in writing (letter, email). Twin will endeavour to accommodate the change and will confirm the change to the applicant in writing. Changes may be subject to administration fees.
3. Because of any language or cultural considerations, the participant cannot expect to command the same responsibilities that they may have had in their own country.
4. If a participant begins their programme and decides it is unsuitable for their requirements, no fees paid will be refundable, although every effort will be made by Twin and its affiliate to find a suitable alternative programme with the time available. Twin will not be responsible for any additional travelling cost etc, which may be incurred in any such move.
5. Occasionally due to operational difficulties, volunteering establishments may require participants to carry out other reasonable duties than those specified on the original volunteering description.
6. The applicant agrees to remain flexible in terms of the hours required to work during the placement and the duties they are expected to perform.

Eligibility

1. Twin and its affiliates reserve the right to refuse any applicant who does not meet the programme eligibility requirements.
2. Twin and its affiliates reserve the right to request a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check from any participant for any programme. All documentation related to the CRB check will be held in accordance with the CRB Code of Conduct.

Health & Safety

1. The applicant declares that they are in good health and require no specialised medical attention.
2. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure they are fit to travel and to undertake any duties.
3. All travels before, during and after the programme are at the participant’s own risk. Choosing to operate any motorized vehicles, obtaining the necessary license, permission and insurance will be responsibility of the participant.
4. The participant undertakes to research the host country of their programme to educate themselves of any potential inherent risks associated with that country.
5. Twin and its affiliates cannot accept responsibility for the participant’s health & safety whilst in the hosting country or for any loss or damage to property or any third parties property or persons howsoever caused.
6. Participants take part in all programmes at their own risk.

Documentation

1. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that he/she has a valid passport and obtains appropriate documentation for entry to the hosting country.
2. Visa signposting offered by Twin and / or its affiliates is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate – for definitive information, the participant must contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate.
3. Twin and its affiliates do not accept any liability for financial loss incurred by failure to have the correct travel documentation.
4. The applicant agrees to submit all the requested documentation in a timely manner. Twin cannot be held responsible for any delay or additional cost caused by the participant’s failure to do so.

Insurance

1. It is the participant’s responsibility to obtain appropriate insurance to cover any eventuality that may occur throughout their programme (including repatriation, loss of property or personal injury or illness). Refunds are not given as a result of illness whilst participating on any programme.

Conduct & Behaviour

1. The applicant agrees to follow the rules and regulations of Twin, and its affiliates as well as those of the project while participating on the programme.
2. The applicant agrees to act with maturity, flexibility, respect and adaptability in all aspects of the programme.
3. The applicant agrees to participate in their host family lifestyle and respect the host family members at all times.
4. During the programme, the participant will be representing their country and therefore every effort must be made by the participant to be a good ambassador for their country. Any behaviour likely to damage their image will lead to their instant expulsion from any programme without reimbursement of any fees.
5. The participant must respect the rules of the establishment of the programme and act in a professional manner at all times. Excessively bad timekeeping or absenteeism could lead to the expulsion of the participant without reimbursement of any fees.
6. Twin and its affiliates reserve the right to dismiss from the programme any participant who is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others or whose conduct is deemed to be detrimental to the programme. In the event of this case, Twin and its affiliates cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred by the participant.
7. If during the programme the participant experiences problems, Twin suggest that they follow the following steps:
   1. try to resolve the issue themselves
   2. communicate the problem to the project supervisor/overseas partner and discuss the best solution
   3. contact Twin. All issues/complaints must be outlined in writing. In the case of a complaint please use the Twin complaints form
8. Complaints must be in writing. We will confirm in writing that we have received your complaint within 5 working days. If we are required to investigate and contact the overseas partner then a full response will be received within 1 month of Twin receiving the complaint.

Fees

1. The applicant agrees to pay all fees in accordance with Twin and its affiliates’ requirements and to submit all the requested documentation in a timely manner. Twin cannot be held responsible for any delay or additional cost caused by the participant’s failure to do so.
2. In case the applicant is due to pay any visa fees to enter the country where the programme is held, this payment won’t be part of the programme fee, unless clearly stated.
3. Programme bookings with departure dates for the following calendar year are subject to a possible fee increase after booking, due to annual rises in local costs passed on by our in-country host organisations. We will advise of this as soon as we are informed by our local partner.
4. Programme changes or departure changes may be subject to administration fees. Please check with Twin if you wish to amend your dates as further charges may be incurred. All changes to a booking must be put in writing to Twin.

Cancellation

1. In the event that Twin or its affiliates are forced to withdraw or cancel a programme, a similar programme will be offered to the participant. In the event that the replacement programme is unsuitable, Twin will refund 100% of the fees paid by the participant, minus any costs incurred. The replacement programme may not be the same price as the original programme.
2. In the event that a £150 deposit has been paid, but the application for whatever reason has been unsuccessful within the given timeframe, the applicant is entitled to transfer the deposit to an alternative programme subject to eligibility, availability and or successful application.
3. In the event that a deposit of £150 has been paid and Twin is unable to offer a placement, Twin will refund the deposit minus any costs incurred.
4. In the event that a deposit of £150 has been paid and the participant chooses not to accept the placement, Twin reserves the right to retain the deposit.
5. In the event that a placement has been offered by Twin or its affiliates and is accepted by the participant, and then the participant withdraws from the programme, the participant is liable for the full cost of the programme.
6. The participant agrees to settle the full balance of the programme 8 weeks before departure.
7. In the event that a participant withdraws from the programme the cancellation must be made in writing to Twin. The cancellation can be submitted by letter or email. Failure to submit the cancellation in writing may result in the refunded amount being affected.
8. Cancellation is effective from the day Twin receive the cancellation in writing – not the day it is sent. Please note that cancellations received out of office hours will only be effective from the next working day. Please note that office hours are 9 am –5.30 pm Monday to Friday.
9. In the event that you have changed the dates of your programme the cancellation period will be effective from the original programme start date, not the amended date.
10. In the event that a participant withdraws from a programme more than 8 weeks before departure, Twin will refund 100% of the cost of the programme, minus £150 deposit and any other costs incurred.
11. In the event that a participant withdraws from a programme less than 8 weeks before departure, Twin will refund 50% of the cost of the programme, minus £150 deposit and any other costs incurred.
12. In the event that a participant withdraws from a programme less than 8 weeks of departure, but has not fully settled their account, the participant agrees to pay 50% of the programme plus £150 deposit, plus any costs incurred.
13. In the event that a participant chooses to leave a programme early, whatsoever the reason, no fees will be refunded.