Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
19 May 2024
Reply rate
92.8 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
41
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Host offers payment
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a charity organisation that manages the only settlement on the Island of Rum in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. We are a small community of 35 people who live and work here all year round, we are fully community based.
Nestled in the bay of Loch Scresort off the western coast of Scotland its the ideal place to get away from it all and spend sometime away from civilisation and find yourself part of our community here on Rum. The island consists of 97% Nature Reserve with the other land the village of Kinloch. You will have plenty of time to explore of wild island and winter can truly be a spectacular time to visit.
NEW LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY...
Our Bunkhouse is looking for seasonal help due to an unfortunate event from June to September. The chosen person would help with bed changeovers, cleaning the Bunkhouse in between bookings and general tidiness of the cabins/campsite checking guests in and out. We pride ourselves on our cleanliness so the applicant must have a pride in there work and a passion for customer service.
This role is a paid position.
Accommodation looks like a mix of cabin and bunkhouse room stays with a few nights of camping. We would require the individual to be flexible with this as not all of these are available at one time. Tent etc would be provided if required but please do let me know prior to arriving if selected so we can prepare everything.
This position would be paid at the UK minimum wage as per law and workaway rules. We would be looking at 12 hours per week minimum. Other opportunities/hours may arise whilst you are here if required.
Please contact us now to express your interest here and we will provide more details ASAP!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Rum is a special place. An island full of natural life whether that be our seabird colonies, marine life or resident eagles upon the hills. As our volunteer you will feel part of our community, making friends, learning skills from our residents and making contacts along the way. Rum is the kind of place that has a life affirming ability and we will do all we can to boost your experience whilst on island. Many opportunities could arise from being here and many doors could be opened moving forward. You will learn what it takes to live in a small community and how to be part of a small island community.
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in the UK and is looking for help with their charity project. Guidance on charity worker sponsorship by a UK registered charity, can be found here.
Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Host has indicated that they will pay at least the UK minimum hourly wage for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided inline with UK guidance. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.
Help
This winter the work will be based on simple upkeep and maintenance around the village such as painting, decorating, varnishing, sanding, vegetation clearance etc etc. More details can be found in the main profile section for each volunteer program. We aim to create a friendly relaxed atmosphere where people can express themselves, feel relaxed and be themselves and work within a small team of volunteers. Hopefully during your time here you will feel like a local!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
Our winter volunteers will have the bunkhouse privately hired or a minimum a private room for themselves. Our bunkhouse is a newly renovated building with 20 beds (5 private rooms), a living room, 2 kitchens and wonderful hot showers after a day hiking the hills. A food allowance will be provided for use at our local shop and this can be arranged prior to arrival.
What else ...
To get to Rum, you must take a ferry from Mallaig. The winter timetable has now been announced and boats leave Mallaig Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday over winter. You will have time to explore Rum and the other Small Isles. We have not set any working hours in yet as we will work this around yourselves but the balance is going to be very manageable with hopefully 4 or 5 hour days with a couple days off a week but this can all be adapted to fit the individual upon enquiry. Living as part of our community we would expect you to respect all islanders and treat others how you want to be treated. Noise must be kept to a minimum late at night and lights should be kept to a minimum where possible to help the seabird colonies find their way home and help boost our Dark Sky application!
Rum is totally explorable by foot. We are 7 miles x 8 miles and the walks can be truly breathtaking. Its been known for visitors to find their own private beach, be the only people up our cliffs and to truly find solitude amongst nature. I am happy to show you local experiences and things to do that would make your trip very memorable
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Cars are not allowed on the Island unless a permit is issued. We have space for 1 car if needed however the island is walkable and the roads are not good so most cars would not be beneficial here. We recommend getting public transport to Mallaig or leaving the car in Mallaig Car Park
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (20)
The biggest thanks goes to Alex, who not only chose the perfect people to be in our team, but also was a pleasure to be around and offered continuous support wherever and whenever it was needed.
As someone who… read more
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The biggest thanks goes to Alex, who not only chose the perfect people to be in our team, but also was a pleasure to be around and offered continuous support wherever and whenever it was needed.
As someone who… read more
I had no idea what to expect when I applied to join this workaway team, and it was more than I could have imagined. It was very heartwarming to be welcomed into a community of people who have a shared goal of growth and restoration of the land they have chosen to call home.
Alex was an amazing host who… read more
Alex is a wonderful host – really welcoming, calm, interesting, and even though he might try and pretend to be a curmudgeon, he's a great laugh and even a little bit silly... The work he lined up for us volunteers was always engaging, and he made sure that both us and the community got something out of it.
Working a… read more
Alex also did a really great job of picking the other work awayers. There's always nerves… read more
Everyone was so helpful and let me borrow tools or have materials delivered so I could work in good conditions, really appreciated it.
Also gave a French class to the… read more
The island is full of places to explore, and wonderful people. For my first workaway, it was beyond what I was… read more
My stay was from beginning to end a blast. I have been in love with Scotland before I came to Rum, but staying here made me fall even deeper for this beautiful country. This is kind of surprising bearing in mind, that the days in January were extremely short… read more
- The bunkhouse was very comfortable, cosy and handy at the same time (and warm!). It's really nice to have some shared meals with the other volunteers, discuss near the fireplace and help each other, we met great people there ! :)
- The tasks were variate… read more
We were in Rum for 2 weeks. We stayed at the bunkhouse, which is very well equipped: we had a bedroom for ourselves, we cooked our own meals, and we could use the laundry room too. There is a member of staff who will do the day-to-day housekeeping of the bunkhouse, but we could help as well. We shared the bunkhouse… read more
When I first saw this posting, I contacted Alex to see about volunteering for a Workaway. Although they weren't yet looking for volunteers for the dates that I requested, surprisingly, Alex then contacted the head teacher at the school to see if I might be a fit for any school project. So already, without having… read more
