Training Course

Our Training Course on the Isle of Coll is an exciting way to start your Volunteer placement. It will help to prepare you for your year abroad, including work skills, country orientation and guidance on safe and responsible travel.

You will receive interactive training on the type of volunteering work you will be doing abroad. You will have an orientation with your Country Coordinator on the country, your host placement, your role and responsibilities, as well as cultural awareness, conduct and safety briefings. This information will help you to settle in when you arrive in your new community abroad.

The training is both rigorous and enjoyable, fostering strong connections with your fellow country group members, Country Coordinator, and volunteer partner. Accommodation will be in dormitory rooms at the Hebridean Centre, with evenings free to socialise with your country group.
By the final night, you’ll be fully prepared and excited for your volunteer experience, feeling a bit tired but eagerly looking forward to the end-of-course ceilidh.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Hebridean Centre on the Isle of Coll for an intense, fun and rewarding few days!

Next steps:

See below for information on key dates, travel arrangements and accommodation.

• Travel

  Travel to Oban

  Please make your own travel arrangements, ensuring that you arrive in Oban on the day specified in Key Dates, ready to take the ferry to the Isle of Coll early the following morning.

  • Please check the ScotRail website for up-to-date information on train times and any planned works.
  • Make sure that you leave yourself enough time to get connecting trains from Glasgow Queen Street Station.
  • CityLink buses are another option for getting to and from Oban.

  Ferry from Oban to Coll and back

  The ferry timetable can be found below.  The journey to the Isle of Coll takes around three hours. You must make sure you are at the booking office no later than 45 minutes before departure. You will be emailed your return ferry ticket the week before departure. Please bring a copy of this with you. Keep the return portion of your ticket safe.

  Project Trust will meet you on arrival at the Isle of Coll. Please have breakfast on the ferry as training sessions will begin as soon as you arrive at the Hebridean Centre.

  Ferry status updates and the full timetable can be found by following the links below. Please check the status before your arrival in Oban:

  • https://www.calmac.co.uk/service-status
  • https://www.calmac.co.uk/oban-coll-tiree-ferry

  Please note that, as a group, your enthusiasm may be a little overwhelming so please be considerate of other travellers on the early morning ferry.

• Accommodation in Oban

  You are required to arrange accommodation in Oban for the night before the ferry.

  Oban Youth Hostel Tel: 08701 553255

  Oban Backpackers – Chill out on your travels at one of Scotland’s most laid back hostels in the heart of beautiful Oban! Tel :(0)1631 562 107  Please note Oban Backpackers do not allow unaccompanied under 18 year olds to check in.

  Oban Hostel & Guest House Accommodation Scotland – Corran House (corranhouseoban.co.uk)

  Oban Tourist Board Tel: 01631 563122

  Do not forget to set your alarm for an early start!

• On Coll

  You will be staying at the Hebridean Centre, Project Trust’s residential centre and headquarters on the Isle of Coll. Bedding and all meals will be provided.  Most training sessions will take place indoors, however, during your free time you may want to go walking. Please make us aware in advance of any specific dietary requirements.

  Essential items to bring:

  • A towel
  • Smart clothes for the formal reception and ceilidh on the last evening
  • Appropriate clothes for teaching a lesson
  • Notebook, pens and all literature you have received about the Training Course
  • Wet weather clothing
  • Waterbottle

  Optional items to bring:

  • Musical instruments, games, etc for the evenings

  Refreshments and Project Trust branded clothing will be on sale, cash and cards are accepted.

  Project Trust has a no smoking policy.  Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all Project Trust buildings and vehicles.