The information below is designed to explain some of the UK laws and customs that you may not experience at home. It also offers advice on some UK laws and practices that you may not already be aware of. We want you to enjoy your experience in the UK and return home safely to your family at the end of it. If you take the advice offered below, it should increase your chances of both a safe and enjoyable stay in the UK.

Driving

If it is your first time in Britain please remember to drive on the left side of road. This may take some getting used to so try to keep it in your mind for the first few days. There are many restrictions and junctions on British roads that you may not be used to driving in your own country:

• Roundabouts. These are featured on all European roads and help to control the traffic. You must drive in a clockwise direction around them.
• Speed Limits are in miles and not kilometres and are well marked on the road side. The following is a basic guide: 30 m.p.h in Towns and Villages, 60 m.p.h normal country roads, 70 m.p.h on Motorways and duel carriageways.
• Speed Cameras. These are designed to prevent people driving over the speed limits. They are placed at random on all roads.
• Seat Belts must be worn by all passengers at all times.
• Mobile Phones. It is illegal in the UK to use a mobile phone while you are driving. If you wish to use your phone you should pull to the side of the road and turn off your engine before doing so.

If you wish to bring your own car with you to the farm you will need to check this with your farmer first. Some of our farms have very strict policies on this and some simply will not have the space for you to park. We strongly advise that you do not purchase a car while you are in the UK. Although cheap, many cars for sale at auctions are not roadworthy.



However, if you do decide to buy one you should ask to see the current MOT (Ministry of Transport Roadworthy) certificate. It is illegal to drive any car that you have bought here without insurance, road tax and a valid MOT certificate. Please note: insurance for young people can be extremely expensive.

It is much safer and more sensible to hire a car for specific trips or holidays as the expenses can be shared by all those travelling in it. Hire companies offer reasonable rates and the vehicle will be up-to-date with adequate insurance cover.

Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol is readily available in the UK and can be purchased by all those over the age of 18. A lot of people like to drink in the evenings while socialising with friends and meeting new people. All employers understand that young people like to party! However, please check with your employer that it will not disturb anyone if you want to have loud music playing late at night. Please also remember that, although you may have a day off the next day, there may be some participants or people living close by who have to get up early in the morning.

If you do decide to stay up later in the evenings please ensure that you are on time for work in the mornings and ready to work for the day. It is important that you prepare for the day ahead accordingly. For example, if you will be driving or using machinery during your working hours, drinking too much alcohol may have health and safety implications. If you are not fit to work you may be sent back to your accommodation and Concordia will be advised. To prevent this from happening please ensure that you drink alcohol in moderation. We want you to enjoy your time here but you must concentrate on the work as well.

Please note: In the UK it is illegal to take non-prescription drugs of any kind, this means drugs which have not been specifically prescribed for you by a doctor. This includes cannabis (dope) ecstasy (E's) cocaine or heroin. If you are found in possession of, or using any non-prescription drug, you may well be dismissed by your employer. You may also be liable to prosecution by the police and/or deported. We will also report any drug related incident to your university.

Drink Driving

It is illegal to drive in the UK when you are over the limit of alcohol consumption.
Concordia recommends that you do not drive at all if you have been drinking alcohol. This will help solve any conflicts on limits of alcohol consumption.

Most road accidents amongst our participants are caused when an excess of alcohol has been consumed. Please remember the following:
NEVER get into a car with anyone who has been drinking
NEVER drive a vehicle if you have been drinking alcohol, even if you feel fine.

If you are unsure, take a taxi or walk home if the distance is not too far. This may seem expensive or a nuisance, but compared to the potential costs in health or loss of earnings if you have an accident, the inconvenience is small. Drinking and driving in the UK is a serious offence and you may be prosecuted and imprisoned if you are caught.

Theft

Whilst it is still quite rare, it is unfortunately true that every year some participants have their money and/or possessions stolen by other people, not necessarily participants. As you can imagine, it is devastating to have your money or other items stolen when you have worked so hard for them. If you have taken up Concordia's insurance policy, your personal items are insured against loss or theft from the time you arrive in Britain (see Insurance) but you may wish to take out a separate insurance policy to cover the period of travel between Britain and your home country. It is important to take care of your possessions and never to keep large amounts of money with you or in your accommodation. For the same reasons we also recommend that you do not lend any money to your friends or other people on the farm. You have worked hard for your own money and there are no guarantees that you will get it back.

Stealing

Concordia does not tolerate stealing of any kind while you are working here. This means taking items from other people without their permission or taking goods from shops which have not been paid for. In the UK many shops have sophisticated security systems where shoppers are surveyed on camera. If you are caught shoplifting, you will be detained in the shop and the police will be called. You will then be taken to a police station, where you will probably be arrested and charged with theft. If you are not charged, then you will be cautioned, this is not proof that you are innocent, this means that it is the first time you have been caught stealing and you are only given a warning by the police. In this situation, both the farm and Concordia are advised. It is Concordia's policy to advise the farm to terminate the employment of participants who are caught shoplifting. Such participants have to return home early and their universities and parents are informed. Universities are understandably angry when advised of this sort of behaviour; they consider their participants have let down the reputation of the university and discipline them accordingly.

In any of the circumstances described above, Concordia would not offer you work on any other farm and you would have to return home.