Frequently asked questions
How long has SoapBox been involved in Short Term Projects?
SoapBox began working on Short Term Projects in 1993. We are members of the UK Evangelical Alliance and Global Connections. SoapBox is recognised by Global Connections as operating under the Code of Best Practice in Short-Term Mission 2007 to 2012. We have a reliable and successful track record.
Isn’t this kind of thing a bit risky!?
It can be. But most things in life worth discovering involve a risk element! If you DON’T want your faith stretched, your lifestyles challenged, your eyes opened and your heart touched you had better stay at home! Having said that, we are very careful in our planning to make sure that we have carried out a ‘risk assessment’ for each location and we heed the advice of the Foreign Office in London who advise on travel and security. Our Team Leaders are well briefed on Health and Safety issues and we have a clearly defined Child Protection Policy PDF, available online, here: Child Protection Policy.pdf We also conduct a de-briefing on return to the UK and have an ‘Aftercare’ help line for people should they require it.
Do I have to be a Christian to come on a Project?
No you don’t. But you do have to be sympathetic to our aims as set out in our publicity and be prepared to attend our Small Groups and Main Team Meetings.
My son/daughter/someone I know could do with doing a project like this to help them ‘sort their lives out’. Is going on a SoapBox Project going to help them do this?
A SoapBox Short Term project, whilst being life changing for many, is not the kind of environment in which those with issues that might benefit from counselling or have behavioural problems will flourish. Some of the sights they will see in cases of extreme poverty can be disturbing. In addition, the dynamic of a SoapBox team relies on team co-operation and a willingness to submit to the team leaders in matters of behaviour and authority. Any adverse behaviour can be severely destructive to the team dynamic. Also, our relationships with our project partners have been built up over many years and for them to witness inappropriate behaviour within a SoapBox team could be detrimental to our ongoing relationship with them. Finally, SoapBox reserves the right to repatriate offending team members and in both this and the case of inappropriate behaviour being discovered prior to the departure of a team. Any funding raised towards the project target cost or building costs may be forfeited. Please see the terms and conditions. Speak to Kathy and Shaun if you need further clarification. projects@soapboxtrust.com 0122 737 3870 .
I’ve only just heard of SoapBox. How well established are you?
Although SoapBox as a name is not that well known, we are in fact one of the biggest and longest serving Short Term Service agencies of our kind in Europe. We have been sending people on short term projects since 1993.
Why does it cost so much to go on a Project?
If you think it’s expensive, you should try comparing prices with a Travel Agency! Our costs are kept to a minimum because we are a non-profit making organisation. While many other organisations are taking large percentages for “administration”, we keep our costs low and our budgets tight and use only a small part to help us with administration costs. We want the money we raise to go to our Projects so we purposefully do not spend a lot of money on advertising or promotion. We also can’t see the point of duplicating what other people are doing, so we concentrate on supporting existing organisations with our expertise, resources and workforce.
What about insurance?
Every participant on a SoapBox project is covered by appropriate travel insurance. This is not simply of the 'holiday' variety but in addition to the usual health cover, it also covers each person for the kinds of activity that the team will undertake. In addition and this is really important, SoapBox also carries full third party liability cover. We do not try to reduce our responsibility to applicants by asking them to sign a waiver.
Tell me about the Target Costs
Target costs are what we estimate the project should cost to run. It includes the air fares, local travel, food and accommodation. We ask that the cost of any building materials needed to meet the project brief are fundraised for separately. See the project FaxFile. Unfortunately, we live in times when the rising cost of oil is forcing up travel costs across the board. Add to this the worldwide increases in the cost of food and volatile exchange rates and it's easy to see how the target cost might need to be adjusted as the project departure date draws near. SoapBox strives to get these target costs as right as we can, as early as we can. Sometimes, if the cost of running the project unavoidably increases, we ask participants to help by contributing to the increased cost. There have also been occasions when we have over-estimated the initial target cost and have reduced it when it became clear that costs were going to be less than we anticipated. In these circumstances we have offered to refund any difference.
The cost of airfares has become increasingly volatile in recent years. SoapBox makes a best 'guestimate' at what we think the airfares are going to be when we budget the projects. Current methodology by the airlines seems to be to increase the cost of flights as the date of departure draws near making the estimating of air fares a moving target. In the event that the airfare cost increases beyond the budgeted estimated figure, we ask participants to help by absorbing the increased cost. SoapBox has no surplus funding to pay for these potential increases and so have to ask participants to be understanding in this regard.
What is the money used for?
The money raised by our Participants is used for international travel; internal travel; basic food and accommodation; medical kit and equipment; children’s club resources; fully comprehensive insurance; orientation events; polo shirts; sightseeing and contingencies. Separate funding is raised by participants for the project building or materials costs. Any money left over from our Projects at the end of the year is used to help us develop our support base for our Project Partners world-wide.
More on the Project Building and Materials Costs.
We would encourage team members to raise £100 towards building costs. If you can raise more that would be great as the more the teams raise the more work we can achieve. Together we can make a difference. Please drop a note to Shaun and Kathy on projects@soapboxtrust.com if you would like a fundraisers ideas booklet.
Can the Gift Aid be applied to my Target Cost?
If you are a taxpayer we would be grateful if you would consider paying the balance of the target figure and any other funds using Gift Aid. Specific advice is given about this in the Participants Information Pack, which you will receive on acceptance. PLEASE NOTE: We are not able to apply the recovered tax amount to your personal account with us as this is against the law. Any reclaimed tax must be applied to the funds of the named Charity.
What is the role of a Personal Supporter?
You can’t do short-term mission on your own. You will need the support of others around you. Personal supporters are simply people who will get alongside you and encourage you. They will want to know how you are and how it’s going as you get closer to the time your project goes. When you return, they will want to hear all about it and make sure you have an opportunity to talk through the things you’ve experienced.
Information for families wishing to apply.
We are delighted to be able to offer projects that are specifically designed for the whole family in Kosova. Look for ‘Family Project’ next to the dates within these FaxFiles.
SoapBox is happy to take families on our projects. We are striving to make our projects as ‘family friendly’ as possible and want to include children in as many of the teams as we can. Minimum age is 8. If a child has their own passport, we will need the number.
There are, however, some activities that might be inappropriate for children to participate in. For example any work on a building site or visiting certain slums. Parents/Guardians will need to exercise discretion when choosing a project for which to apply. Our project officers, Kathy and Shaun can advise.
We would ask that children participate fully in any visits to orphanages etc. that are a part of the project. A big part of these teams is to be an encouragement to the local people and our project partners and those we visit will love to see the children.
For every child that is present on a team we need to have one ‘loco parentis’ adult for them in order to comply with good practice and our child protection policy. Available online, here: Child Protection Policy.pdf
Any further questions you may have about travelling with your family, please contact Kathy and Shaun. projects@soapboxtrust.com.
What kind of people go on Projects?
All kinds of people from many different backgrounds and skills aged 8-75. Some think they are unskilled, but they soon discover latent abilities! People like you and me!
So.. What are you waiting for...?
How long has SoapBox been involved in Short Term Projects?SoapBox began working on Short Term Projects in 1993. We are members of the UK Evangelical Alliance and Global Connections. SoapBox is recognised by Global Connections as operating under the Code of Best Practice in Short-Term Mission 2007 to 2012. We have a reliable and successful track record.
Isn’t this kind of thing a bit risky!?
It can be. But most things in life worth discovering involve a risk element! If you DON’T want your faith stretched, your lifestyles challenged, your eyes opened and your heart touched you had better stay at home! Having said that, we are very careful in our planning to make sure that we have carried out a ‘risk assessment’ for each location and we heed the advice of the Foreign Office in London who advise on travel and security. Our Team Leaders are well briefed on Health and Safety issues and we have a clearly defined Child Protection Policy PDF, available online, here: Child Protection Policy.pdf We also conduct a de-briefing on return to the UK and have an ‘Aftercare’ help line for people should they require it.
Do I have to be a Christian to come on a Project?
No you don’t. But you do have to be sympathetic to our aims as set out in our publicity and be prepared to attend our Small Groups and Main Team Meetings.
My son/daughter/someone I know could do with doing a project like this to help them ‘sort their lives out’. Is going on a SoapBox Project going to help them do this?
A SoapBox Short Term project, whilst being life changing for many, is not the kind of environment in which those with issues that might benefit from counselling or have behavioural problems will flourish. Some of the sights they will see in cases of extreme poverty can be disturbing. In addition, the dynamic of a SoapBox team relies on team co-operation and a willingness to submit to the team leaders in matters of behaviour and authority. Any adverse behaviour can be severely destructive to the team dynamic. Also, our relationships with our project partners have been built up over many years and for them to witness inappropriate behaviour within a SoapBox team could be detrimental to our ongoing relationship with them. Finally, SoapBox reserves the right to repatriate offending team members and in both this and the case of inappropriate behaviour being discovered prior to the departure of a team. Any funding raised towards the project target cost or building costs may be forfeited. Please see the terms and conditions. Speak to Kathy and Shaun if you need further clarification. projects@soapboxtrust.com 0122 737 3870 .
I’ve only just heard of SoapBox. How well established are you?
Although SoapBox as a name is not that well known, we are in fact one of the biggest and longest serving Short Term Service agencies of our kind in Europe. We have been sending people on short term projects since 1993.
Why does it cost so much to go on a Project?
If you think it’s expensive, you should try comparing prices with a Travel Agency! Our costs are kept to a minimum because we are a non-profit making organisation. While many other organisations are taking large percentages for “administration”, we keep our costs low and our budgets tight and use only a small part to help us with administration costs. We want the money we raise to go to our Projects so we purposefully do not spend a lot of money on advertising or promotion. We also can’t see the point of duplicating what other people are doing, so we concentrate on supporting existing organisations with our expertise, resources and workforce.
What about insurance?
Every participant on a SoapBox project is covered by appropriate travel insurance. This is not simply of the 'holiday' variety but in addition to the usual health cover, it also covers each person for the kinds of activity that the team will undertake. In addition and this is really important, SoapBox also carries full third party liability cover. We do not try to reduce our responsibility to applicants by asking them to sign a waiver.
Tell me about the Target Costs
Target costs are what we estimate the project should cost to run. It includes the air fares, local travel, food and accommodation. We ask that the cost of any building materials needed to meet the project brief are fundraised for separately. See the project FaxFile. Unfortunately, we live in times when the rising cost of oil is forcing up travel costs across the board. Add to this the worldwide increases in the cost of food and volatile exchange rates and it's easy to see how the target cost might need to be adjusted as the project departure date draws near. SoapBox strives to get these target costs as right as we can, as early as we can. Sometimes, if the cost of running the project unavoidably increases, we ask participants to help by contributing to the increased cost. There have also been occasions when we have over-estimated the initial target cost and have reduced it when it became clear that costs were going to be less than we anticipated. In these circumstances we have offered to refund any difference.
The cost of airfares has become increasingly volatile in recent years. SoapBox makes a best 'guestimate' at what we think the airfares are going to be when we budget the projects. Current methodology by the airlines seems to be to increase the cost of flights as the date of departure draws near making the estimating of air fares a moving target. In the event that the airfare cost increases beyond the budgeted estimated figure, we ask participants to help by absorbing the increased cost. SoapBox has no surplus funding to pay for these potential increases and so have to ask participants to be understanding in this regard.
What is the money used for?
The money raised by our Participants is used for international travel; internal travel; basic food and accommodation; medical kit and equipment; children’s club resources; fully comprehensive insurance; orientation events; polo shirts; sightseeing and contingencies. Separate funding is raised by participants for the project building or materials costs. Any money left over from our Projects at the end of the year is used to help us develop our support base for our Project Partners world-wide.
More on the Project Building and Materials Costs.
We would encourage team members to raise £100 towards building costs. If you can raise more that would be great as the more the teams raise the more work we can achieve. Together we can make a difference. Please drop a note to Shaun and Kathy on projects@soapboxtrust.com if you would like a fundraisers ideas booklet.
Can the Gift Aid be applied to my Target Cost?
If you are a taxpayer we would be grateful if you would consider paying the balance of the target figure and any other funds using Gift Aid. Specific advice is given about this in the Participants Information Pack, which you will receive on acceptance. PLEASE NOTE: We are not able to apply the recovered tax amount to your personal account with us as this is against the law. Any reclaimed tax must be applied to the funds of the named Charity.
What is the role of a Personal Supporter?
You can’t do short-term mission on your own. You will need the support of others around you. Personal supporters are simply people who will get alongside you and encourage you. They will want to know how you are and how it’s going as you get closer to the time your project goes. When you return, they will want to hear all about it and make sure you have an opportunity to talk through the things you’ve experienced.
Information for families wishing to apply.
We are delighted to be able to offer projects that are specifically designed for the whole family in Kosova. Look for ‘Family Project’ next to the dates within these FaxFiles.
SoapBox is happy to take families on our projects. We are striving to make our projects as ‘family friendly’ as possible and want to include children in as many of the teams as we can. Minimum age is 8. If a child has their own passport, we will need the number.
There are, however, some activities that might be inappropriate for children to participate in. For example any work on a building site or visiting certain slums. Parents/Guardians will need to exercise discretion when choosing a project for which to apply. Our project officers, Kathy and Shaun can advise.
We would ask that children participate fully in any visits to orphanages etc. that are a part of the project. A big part of these teams is to be an encouragement to the local people and our project partners and those we visit will love to see the children.
For every child that is present on a team we need to have one ‘loco parentis’ adult for them in order to comply with good practice and our child protection policy. Available online, here: Child Protection Policy.pdf
Any further questions you may have about travelling with your family, please contact Kathy and Shaun. projects@soapboxtrust.com.
What kind of people go on Projects?
All kinds of people from many different backgrounds and skills aged 8-75. Some think they are unskilled, but they soon discover latent abilities! People like you and me!
So.. What are you waiting for...?