Honest experiences, respectful language and transparent moderation

Our approach to reviews

Voluntouring.org welcomes honest reviews, including critical or negative experiences. Reviews are not removed simply because they are unfavourable.

First-hand accounts can help future volunteers make informed decisions, encourage hosts to improve their conditions and contribute to a safer and more transparent volunteering community.

Our commitment at a glance

• Critical and negative reviews are welcome.
• A reviewer’s overall experience and opinion will not be changed.
• Personal attacks, private information and unsafe wording may be moderated.
• Substantially rewritten reviews will be clearly labelled as editorial summaries.
• Moderation is intended to protect people, not to hide legitimate criticism.

When a review may be moderated

A submitted review may be declined, redacted or edited when it contains:

• Personal data or private contact information
• Insults, harassment or personal attacks
• Discriminatory or threatening language
• Unclear or unnecessarily inflammatory allegations
• Unnecessary identification of individual staff members, volunteers or third parties
• Statements that cannot safely or responsibly be published as written
• Content unrelated to the volunteering experience

Reviews may also be declined when they do not appear to describe a genuine first-hand experience. More information about the platform’s approach to trust, abuse and reporting is available in the Voluntouring FAQ.

Minor editorial changes

Minor edits may be made for spelling, grammar, clarity, formatting, privacy and respectful language. These changes must not alter:

• The reviewer’s overall opinion
• The essential facts reported by the reviewer
• The positive or negative character of the experience
• The main concerns or recommendations expressed

Editorial summaries

When a review requires more substantial rewriting, it may be published as a clearly labelled editorial summary rather than as a verbatim reproduction.

The notice accompanying the review will explain that the original wording was adapted. The reviewer’s reported experience, principal concerns and overall opinion will be preserved as faithfully as possible.

Transparency matters

Voluntouring.org will not present substantially rewritten text as though it were the reviewer’s exact wording.

Verification and responsibility

Voluntouring.org does not independently verify every statement made in a submitted review. Reviews reflect the contributor’s personal experience and perspective. Readers can consult the platform’s general safety and legality guidance for further context.

Conditions, staff members and project arrangements may change over time. Readers should therefore confirm current hours, tasks, accommodation, meals, costs, safety arrangements and other important conditions directly with the host or organization before making travel plans.

Hosts or organizations may contact Voluntouring.org if they believe that a published review contains a factual error or requires an update. Safety concerns, outdated listings and potentially unsafe content may also be submitted through the report form. Legitimate requests will be considered, but criticism will not be removed merely because it is unfavourable.

Our goal is not to silence criticism.
It is to keep reviews useful, fair, safe and transparent for everyone involved.

Safety and legality
Our general approach to safety, responsibility, reports and removals.

Voluntouring FAQ
Answers about listings, applications, responsibilities and platform limits.

Report a listing or unsafe content
Report inaccurate, outdated, misleading or potentially unsafe information.

Tips for a safe volunteer experience
Practical checks to complete before confirming a volunteer placement.

Reviews and reference systems
A closer look at the usefulness and limitations of online volunteer reviews.

Contact Voluntouring.org
Contact the editorial team about corrections, updates or other questions.