Vegan Volunteer Work Weeks revolve around 5 days work for 6 hours a day and 1 day off in return for full board and camping.
Children are welcome - please contact us to discuss the practicalities of ages etc. and how we exchange this when coming. One way from our side is for one parent to contribute child care for our 2 year old on the 6 hr basis.
Please also contact us for possibilities of volunteering outside of our dates and for more information on concessions for attending plant study workshops in exchange for volunteer work.
What to expect
We have a provisional timetable outlining how the days might pan out so that there is fair distribution of time for work and socialising, bearing in mind that some flexibility might be needed if big jobs take longer than a set work time. Timetable and rota
Movement and toning 7.30-8.00am - optional
Breakfast 8-9am - Folk will start the day off with communal breakfast at the caravan.
Lunch 1-2pm
Dinner 5-6pm
Natural breaks throughout the day.
A rota will be drawn up for various tasks such as:
- Garden activities - tending veg and herb plots and the herb garden; learning dry stone walling by helping to build a low stone wall for the kitchen herb garden; harvesting veg for lunch and dinner; composting and mulching; tending any seedlings in polytunnel/garden shed and transplanting where appropriate.
- Herb activities - learning by helping to harvest herbs for drying or tincture/oil making; turn drying herbs and cutting up, labelling and storing dried herbs in dispensary; tincturing fresh herbs and turning macerated herbs or pressing out, bottling and labelling ready medicines; macerating infused oils etc.
- Alternative structures eg compost toilet, solar shower, glasshouse & processing building. We will have a clearer outline of activities at the specific time.
- Kitchen activities - preparing lunch and dinner for everyone (recipe suggestions and planning from what is available); washing up and keeping house and caravan kitchens clean and tidy at all times; stocktaking for ordering in supplies; replenishing hot water, teas, juice, fruit and snack supplies for caravan kitchen.
- Communal activities with food preparation etc.
Keith and Maureen will be available most of the time to show folk the ropes and make sure everyone gets fed etc.
What you need to bring with you
You would need to supply your own sleeping bag, pillow case and you must bring waterproof jacket and trousers and strong waterproof boots/wellies. We can provide only 1 x two man tent and 1 communal 6 man tent, so feel free to bring your own tent if you prefer. There is also a 2 berth caravan available for social gathering space in the evening. Volunteer week finish times for folk would be dependent on their onward travel arrangements and what ferry they need to get.
What our volunteers say
“What a week it was! We worked hard and got a lot done, though it always felt laid back and my hosts had a great attitude! There were four volunteers on my work week - two girls and another guy, which gave a nice balance. We had a tent each, but shared a caravan as a meeting and eating space. We soon developed friendships, and it was fascinating to hear their stories.” Read on
“We started the week with a long list of jobs that needed doing, and gradually worked through them. It was left more or less up to us what we got on with. I did some digging and weeding (of course!), planted some brassicas out, cleared out some overgrown sections of the garden for new projects, dug a drainage trench and helped with cooking and cleaning in the house whenever needed. We had some fantastic meals over the week - Keith and Maureen are very inventive in the kitchen (something to do with being vegan perhaps?).
“Towards the end of the week another couple of visitors arrived for the plant study weekend, which added a great dynamic with lots of new conversation. My last meal there was a fantastic affair with a lovely chocolate cake to see me off! Thank you Keith and Maureen!” ~ Rob Jackson, Vegan Society Education Officer