Soapbox Servant Holiday Short Term Projects 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, 2008, 2009 and 2010. 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 - we also conduct a de-briefing on return to the UK and have an ‘Aftercare’ help line for people should they require it.

SoapBox Short Term Projects Frequently Asked Questions

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 may be forfeited. Please see the terms and conditions.  Speak to Kathy and Shaun if you need further clarification. projects@soapboxtrust.com 0161 718 0104.


I’ve only just heard of SoapBox how well established are you?
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. 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.

What about travel 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 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 what the project should cost to run. It includes the air fares, food and accommodation and the cost of any building materials needed to meet the project brief. 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. However, we make it clear that this is not mandatory. It is a purely voluntary thing. 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.


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; finance towards building materials and tools; Orientation events; polo shirts and hoodies; sightseeing and contingencies. 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.


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, even if it’s just your immediate family. 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.


What kind of people go on Projects?
All kinds of people from many different backgrounds and skills aged 16-75. Some think they are unskilled, but they soon discover latent abilities! People like you and me!

So.. What are you waiting for...

How to Apply

Method One (Preferred)
Go to the following page, read the overview and then go ahead and fill out the online application form. Full instructions are given on the first page of the form. We are now able to take non-UK nationals on our projects. If you are from outside the UK and want to know how this will work for you then get in touch with Kathy and Shaun at projects@soapboxtrust.com

Online Application Process

Method Two
Use the Application Form, which is available from this link. Projects Application Form.pdf

Method Three
You can request a paper application form by sending an email to Kathy and Shaun: projects@soapboxtrust.com

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