There are organisations like VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) that offer young people the chance to make a real difference to community projects in the UK and overseas.

Here are some links:    

• Global Xchange is a six-month exchange programme which gives young people from different countries a unique opportunity to work together.
• Britons living abroad information and advice from Direct.gov
  
• Working Abroad  has information on opportunities overseas including volunteer groups.  For some projects you may need to be 18+.
• i-to-i  also offers the chance to do voluntary work as part of a GAP Year, or to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL)
• BUNAC information on working holidays and volunteer projects.  
• Projects Abroad organises voluntary and GAP year projects.