Trip Details

Physiotherapy Volunteer Intern in Ghana

The community clinic in Accra has few staff and little funding, but does its best to cope with the many patients recovering from injury and illness. That’s why this physiotherapy placement is a fantastic opportunity to help out in the community, and provide valuable support to those who might otherwise not receive it. 

As a physiotherapy volunteer intern (either qualified or at least 2nd-year degree standard) you will work alongside others, helping locals to recover from strokes, accident injuries and more general ailments. And working across clinical and sports settings, you will be treating many young people, as well as older locals and even local athletes!

Help People in Ghana to help Themselves

A hand injury in Ghana can often mean no income, and only those that can afford the two-pound fee per session have treatment. In addition, there is also a lot of facial palsy in Ghana, which is treated with electrical stimulation. Whilst the clinic does have some equipment, (it has a hydrotherapy pool, for instance), it doesn’t meet the many needs of the local community. Subsequently, your input can really help locals to recover and regain their independence.

Experience all that Ghana has to Offer!

Of course, during your stay, you will want to do some exploring too! And our safe, gate-community volunteer centre is the perfect base to explore from. For example, using the local nearby train station, you can travel out at the weekends to visit some of Ghana’s many sights, or simply enjoy getting involved in the local community. Ghanaians are a very friendly people, and love to speak to visitors to their country!

Why be a Physiotherapy Volunteer Intern, in Ghana?

  • Make a real difference to locals who live with pain and cannot work
  • Improve your physiotherapy skills in a community setting
  • Explore Ghana’s beautiful scenery, towns and villages
  • Enjoy typical Ghanaian cuisine (meals and beverages* included)
  • Stay in our safe and comfortable gate-community centre

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

You will be working in an environment that has great need, but little support, and this will be a challenging but rewarding placement for you. To work in Ghana as a physiotherapy volunteer intern, you must either be qualified or at least in your second year of a university degree. The schedule, below, allows plenty of time for you to prepare for the day ahead, but also to relax and enjoy all that Ghana has to offer.

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day to familiarise yourself with the surroundings, as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Orientation Day Schedule

  • Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations,
  • Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
  • Ghanian Do’s and Don’ts, Ghanian Culture Lessons and
  • Language Lessons.Tour around the local area
  • Drive into Accra to visit the museum and craft market,
  • Independence Square and Oxford street.
  • Visit local shops and amenities.
  • Lunch
  • Meet some of our academy athletes at our training centre, help with our after school programme or visit the community children we support with our programs.

Weekly Schedule

Monday

  • Breakfast
  • Introduction
  • Lunch
  • Introduction
  • Dinner

Tuesday to Friday

  • Breakfast
  • Physiotherapy
  • Lunch
  • Teaching at the school
  • Physiotherapy
  • Dinner

Please note:

Cost of transport to locations is not included, but will usually be around £1.50 per day.

This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

After your day of helping in the community is over, you can choose to explore the area or head further afield on the weekends. For example, many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends through the week, and planning their weekend adventures together!

Places to Visit

There’s so much to see in Ghana – here are some of the destinations that we think you’ll love!

  • Cape Coast
  • Lake Volta
  • Elmina Castle
  • Manhyia Palace
  • National Museum of Ghana
  • Kwame Nkrumah National Park
  • Accra Mall
  • Bojo Beach
  • Aburi Botanical Gardens

 

Trip Accommodation

Accra is the capital and largest city in Ghana, with a population of over two million. The town stretches along the Ghanaian Atlantic coast and extends north.

Our accommodation is located in Teshie, a coastal suburban town on the east side of Accra. It is a quickly growing suburb that’s getting bigger and bigger every day. Teshie is rich in its diversity and has its own train station for easy transport to many of Ghana’s landmarks and places of natural beauty.

About the Accommodation

Safety is our top priority, and our Centre in Accra is located within a gated community, with dorm-style separate male/female accommodation. The programs are located between 20 to 40 minutes from the centre and transportation is readily available (all transport is extra).

Working as a physiotherapy volunteer intern in Ghana will be hard at times, and at the end of the day, you may want to relax and unwind. Our accommodation provides spaces for ‘alone-time’ as well as for socialising with other volunteers at our centre. We also have staff on-site 7 days a week to help you, should you need anything. Wifi is limited, so we recommend you purchase your own SIM card to help stay connected with friends and family.

Food Arrangements

Ghanaian cuisine is full of flavour, typically including rice dishes, beans, fruits, vegetables, chicken, beef, and fish with its own African spices.  At our centre, you’ll find a mix of Ghanaian and Western food to enjoy, with all meals, tea, coffee, and filtered water included in your stay. There are 3 meals during the week and 2 meals on weekends.

Facilities

Our Volunteer Centre is close to all amenities with the closest shops within a 15-20 minute walk. ATMs are 15 minutes away by taxi, and restaurants and bars (including Wifi cafes) are a 20-minute taxi ride from the centre.

Trip Country Info

Ghana

Population: 27 million
Capital: Accra
Language: English
Currency: Ghana cedi (GH?)
Time zone: GMT (UTC +0)

This multicultural nation is in the western region of Africa, south of the Sahara. Bordered by the Togo in the east, Burkina Faso in the north, Ivory Coast in the west and the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Ghana’s President is both head of state and head of the government. They now have one of Africa’s strongest economies, which together with their democratic political system have made them to a regional power in West Africa.

This country has succeeded in keeping its culture alive for centuries making it an amazing place to visit. Its diverse geography and ecology ranges from coastal savannahs to tropical jungles. Once known as the gold coast, Ghana is the second largest producer of gold in Africa and today Ghana is also the second largest producer of cocoa beans in the world.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

MUST have a yellow fever vaccination and must obtain a certificate as proof
Proof of studying or a Degree in Physiotherapy/Medical Professional
DBS, Criminal Background Check
Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent

Additional Requirements

Team Player
Open Mind

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa