SOLOTEERING

No friends? Lots of annual leave? Charitably minded? Then volunteer

SAVE GORILLAS IN CAMEROON

Work at a rainforest reserve in Mefou National Park, taking care of poorly primates. You must raise £750 for the charity, and food and accommodation costs £260 per month (trip lasts up to three months). Chances of falling in love with a 160kg monkey? High. Apeactionafrica.org

LEARN YOGA IN IBIZA

Improve your downward dog and make friends by volunteering at Ibiza Yoga. You’ll cook and clean in exchange for accommodation, food and classes. Options vary from free breaks to paying £350 per week for half-board and 18 hours’ yoga, or 20 hours’ volunteering. Ibizayoga.com

DOG TRAINING IN NORWAY

Looking after puppies in beautiful Varangerbotn? Er, what’s the catch? OK, temperatures can sink to -30˚C in winter, the dogs need feeding, and there’s no nightlife. But this placement at a Siberian kennel is the dog’s bollocks – metaphorically (and, possibly, literally). Workaway.info

BEACH CLEAN-UP IN HAWAII

Fancy hanging out on a beach for seven days with other (potentially hot) singles for £398? You’ll have to stay in dormitory-style rooms, and picking up litter from the shoreline may make it look like you’re doing community service, but… it’s freakin’ HAWAII! Volunteerhq.org

PAINT A MURAL IN MOROCCO

Spend a week painting community centres, children’s homes or charities in Marrakech – you’ll even create your own mural. The trip costs £125 per week, excluding flights, but including accommodation in a shared room. FYI: your initials + 4EVA is not art. Originalvolunteers.co.uk