Badges (4)
Photos
Profile information
Travel information
We are currently
At home
Our next destination:
New Zealand - from Nov 2024 until Jun 2025 View all
Description
We are a cheerful, conscientious and responsible couple. Both of us have a good sense of humour and get on well with people of all ages and backgrounds. We enjoy the outdoors and spend a lot of time walking in the countryside or at the coast, fishing or paddling our kayak. Vicky also loves working in the garden, growing our own vegetables and, more recently, also flower boarders.
We enjoy travelling to different parts of the world and in the past have regularly gone on trips of several months or more. We have held various volunteering positions on each of these trips and have thoroughly enjoyed every experience. We have been together for 20 years and have a very strong relationship; we work exceptionally well together as well as independently and both can use our initiative to complete tasks.
Victoria's employment history includes several years working for the YHA (the England and Wales branch of Hostelling International) as Duty Manager, Catering Manager and also General Assistant, Assistant Housemistress at a girl's boarding school, Field Studies Instructor and Grounds Maintenance person. Victoria has also worked as Front of House at a country hotel and Wedding venue and also as a cleaner.
Matthew has most recently been employed as a driver for a recycling company for the past 3 years and prior to this held a position as an Aerospace Engineer for 10 years, when not travelling. He was previously employed by an animal sanctuary to help with general maintenance and construction as well as public relations. He has also worked in landscape gardening and in customer service, selling motorbikes for 6 years.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Gardening
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
More details about your skills
We are both very practical people. We are proactive and hardworking and are happy to undertake any task required of us. In addition, Matt is skilled in maintenance and Vicky has a lot of experience in catering and gardening.
Age
41 & 39
What else ...
After travelling for many years and to many countries and taking part in countless volunteering projects, Matt and I have also been able to travel extensively and take part in further volunteering projects with our two young daughters: Abigail, 6 and Kimina, 4. Both girls are already well travelled and have adapted well to all new environments. Abigail is a very enthusiastic and surprisingly capable young girl who has tremendous patience and perseverance. She has been a great help on previous volunteering projects, despite being much younger at that time. Kimina is a very thoughtful, inquisitive and determined little girl and we expect she will also join in and be a great help in any volunteering placements we take on.
Matt and I, and our two girls, have thoroughly enjoyed all our workaway placements in the past and are sure this will continue throughout our upcoming trip. We all look forward to meeting any hosts who welcome families to volunteer for them.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
NoSpecial dietary requirements
No
Feedback
2 Sep 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Come and share this beautiful ...)
Our family of four spent 10 days in August at Mandie’s place and could not have hoped for a better experience! Right from our first contact Mandie was enthusiastic and informative about our stay and on arrival we were all warmly welcomed and we immediately felt relaxed and at home. Mandie is straight talking, has a great sense of humour and is… read more
(Excellent
)
23 Aug 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Vicky, Matt, Abby and Kimina came to stay for 10 days and changed my world! They quickly saw what needed doing and did it with enthusiasm and humour. They fitted in straight away and it felt very comfortable having them around.
Vicky is amazing in the garden and changed my overgrown vegetable patch into a working garden. She attacked weeds bigger… read more
Vicky is amazing in the garden and changed my overgrown vegetable patch into a working garden. She attacked weeds bigger… read more
(Excellent
)
22 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Vicky, Matt, Abby and Kimina stayed with us only for a week. They fitted in with the family and with the other volunteers really well, it felt like we knew each other for much longer than we did. Both Matt and Vicky have a can-do attitude, they are very practical and eager to give a hand with anything we needed help with, great self initiative,… read more
(Excellent
)
5 Jun 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help with reviving our old ...)
As soon as we arrived we were greeted warmly and immediately felt very welcome on this peaceful and beautifully situated land. We spent just a week volunteering for this lovely family but felt we really got to know them during this short time and now consider them good friends. Josipa and Simone are amongst the most caring and considerate people… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Jun 2021
Left by host (Permaculture retreat with ...) for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
We hosted Vicky, Matt & their lovely daughters for 3 weeks and it was a joy to have them around! Vicky is good in the garden and has a lot of experience. Matt made some beautiful gates for the garden fence. With their little girls Abigail and Kimina they picked heaps of rosehips and the kids worked so dedicated! It was nice to include the little… read more
(Excellent
)
9 May 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Permaculture retreat with ...)
Our family of 4 spent 3 weeks here in April and each one of us enjoyed every second of it! We had the opportunity to help out with a huge range of tasks relating to permaculture and holistic living, including clearing overgrown areas, weeding vegetable beds, planting potatoes, picking dandelions and rose hips to make wine, gathering herbs for… read more
(Excellent
)
Friends
Feedback
2 Sep 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Come and share this beautiful ...)
Our family of four spent 10 days in August at Mandie’s place and could not have hoped for a better experience! Right from our first contact Mandie was enthusiastic and informative about our stay and on arrival we were all warmly welcomed and we immediately felt relaxed and at home. Mandie is straight talking, has a great sense of humour and is… read more
(Excellent
)
23 Aug 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Vicky, Matt, Abby and Kimina came to stay for 10 days and changed my world! They quickly saw what needed doing and did it with enthusiasm and humour. They fitted in straight away and it felt very comfortable having them around.
Vicky is amazing in the garden and changed my overgrown vegetable patch into a working garden. She attacked weeds bigger… read more
Vicky is amazing in the garden and changed my overgrown vegetable patch into a working garden. She attacked weeds bigger… read more
(Excellent
)
22 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Vicky, Matt, Abby and Kimina stayed with us only for a week. They fitted in with the family and with the other volunteers really well, it felt like we knew each other for much longer than we did. Both Matt and Vicky have a can-do attitude, they are very practical and eager to give a hand with anything we needed help with, great self initiative,… read more
(Excellent
)
5 Jun 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help with reviving our old ...)
As soon as we arrived we were greeted warmly and immediately felt very welcome on this peaceful and beautifully situated land. We spent just a week volunteering for this lovely family but felt we really got to know them during this short time and now consider them good friends. Josipa and Simone are amongst the most caring and considerate people… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Jun 2021
Left by host (Permaculture retreat with ...) for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
We hosted Vicky, Matt & their lovely daughters for 3 weeks and it was a joy to have them around! Vicky is good in the garden and has a lot of experience. Matt made some beautiful gates for the garden fence. With their little girls Abigail and Kimina they picked heaps of rosehips and the kids worked so dedicated! It was nice to include the little… read more
(Excellent
)
9 May 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Permaculture retreat with ...)
Our family of 4 spent 3 weeks here in April and each one of us enjoyed every second of it! We had the opportunity to help out with a huge range of tasks relating to permaculture and holistic living, including clearing overgrown areas, weeding vegetable beds, planting potatoes, picking dandelions and rose hips to make wine, gathering herbs for… read more
(Excellent
)
19 May 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Come and experience a ...)
Our family of 4 spent 2 weeks during May at Andrej’s place and had an absolutely wonderful time. Both Andrej and all 3 of his children who live with him are very sociable and welcoming and we felt instantly relaxed on his land. Andrej was quick to show us around the garden, explaining what work needed to be done and we were then free to get on… read more
(Excellent
)
4 May 2021
Left by host (Join in learning together in ...) for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
It was super having Vicky, Mat and the kids here helping out. I,d never has workaways with children staying before, so was curious as to how it would work out... All 4 are packed with vitality, positive attitude and always willing.
Always ready for a challenge, the kids included. They certainly left my land better than they found it and it was fun… read more
Always ready for a challenge, the kids included. They certainly left my land better than they found it and it was fun… read more
(Excellent
)
28 Jan 2021
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Join in learning together in ...)
Our time staying with Anne on her fantastically located land was a truly enriching experience for each of us and we all thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it! As soon as we arrived Anne welcomed our whole family as though we were old friends and every one of us immediately felt relaxed and at home. Anne is a wonderfully down-to-earth,… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Jan 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
They where a really big help for us and a great curious family!! Thank you a lot for staying with us :)
(Excellent
)
26 Dec 2020
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help us and the kids on our ...)
From the moment we arrived we felt relaxed and very welcome on Chris and Dani’s beautiful and peaceful patch of land. They are creating a wonderful place for themselves and their children to live and apply permaculture practices to their everyday lives. We were able to help out with a variety of tasks including mulching, potting on and planting… read more
(Excellent
)
7 Dec 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Vicky, Matt, Abigail and Kimi were a pleasure to have. They stayed at our house ( in their camper van) for about a week and were a great help. They were always happy to help out with any tasks, working carefully and proactively. They were very interested in learning about the project.
Every morning one of them would work with us while the other… read more
Every morning one of them would work with us while the other… read more
(Excellent
)
23 Nov 2020
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help in renovating and ...)
We, a family with two young children, stayed at Carolina’s place for a week in mid November and had an absolutely fantastic time! We helped with various renovation tasks, including several traditional methods of treating and preserving the wooden parts of the property and saw how the mosaic entrance flooring was being made. We found all the… read more
(Excellent
)
29 Aug 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Two neat people. Thank you for staying with me and shearing some of your NZ travels.
I am still very busy - Thank you for pointing out I'm a workaholic - I will work on that xx.
I appreciated your cooking and help with painting and you are welcome back any time ( with your baby xx)
I am still very busy - Thank you for pointing out I'm a workaholic - I will work on that xx.
I appreciated your cooking and help with painting and you are welcome back any time ( with your baby xx)
(Excellent
)
9 May 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Love the outdoors? Help me ...)
We spent 5 days volunteering for Denna at the beginning of May and had a wonderful time. We helped with a variety of tasks including painting at her shop, tidying up her garden and making improvements inside her house. Denna is a caring and friendly person and is also a very busy lady, working full time and also volunteering for land SAR and the… read more
(Excellent
)
16 Jun 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Thank you . I am honored to give you the experience before starting this project. Matt and Victoria are so generous persons. They introduced me some websites to trigger my projects. During short time period we became good friends. I wish you all the best for your travel. It’s so nice to hear you still in the same tour.
Dan
Dan
(Excellent
)
30 May 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(You tubers, Instagrammers, ...)
Whilst we did not take part in the main project described, we did spend several days at the family home in Kithulgala, near to Adam's Peak, in late 2015 and had a very enjoyable time. From the moment we made contact with Dan he was very helpful in providing information about how to reach his place and during our stay we had many interesting… read more
(Excellent
)
7 Jun 2017
Left by host (Needs volunteer help Nelson, ...) for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Vicky and Matt were very special helpers. They were so easy to get along with and flexible. Not shy to do the hard yards and finished their jobs with aplomb and to a high standard.
I can only recommend them other hosts TO GRAB HOLD OF THEM.. AND NOT LET THEM GO!!
Thank-you Vicky and Matt.
I can only recommend them other hosts TO GRAB HOLD OF THEM.. AND NOT LET THEM GO!!
Thank-you Vicky and Matt.
(Excellent
)
30 May 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Needs volunteer help Nelson, ...)
We spent 10 days volunteering for Rory in mid May and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. His place is in a lovely, peaceful area and we found our time there very relaxing. We helped with a variety of tasks including working with Rory to tidy up his garage, cleaning vehicles he uses for his transport business, chopping firewood, cleaning inside of Rory's… read more
(Excellent
)
31 May 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Thank you both for all your hard work. It was lovely to have you stay. Wishing you the best with your new family, and you are of course welcome back when you're here next.
We totally recommend Vicki & Matt, they are easy to get on with, hard working, & Vicki makes great food!
We totally recommend Vicki & Matt, they are easy to get on with, hard working, & Vicki makes great food!
(Excellent
)
31 May 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help with household chores ...)
We spent 4 days at Tsarina and Greg's in mid May and had a great time. We enjoyed getting to know them both, spending time in their lovely garden, watching their variety of animals and exploring a bit of the beautiful area they live. Tsarina and Greg are both friendly and caring people and the atmosphere in their home is nice and relaxed. From our… read more
(Excellent
)
8 May 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Cultural Exchange at Te Anau, ...)
We spent just over 2 weeks volunteering for Dave and Irene and couldn't have felt more relaxed and welcome in their home. They are both sociable but also laid back people and have a great ability in ensuring their helpers feel at ease. Irene was away on a charity venture for the majority of our stay but we spent much time in Dave's company in the… read more
(Excellent
)
5 Apr 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Victoria and matt volunteered for us recently, as part of this they lived here which is pretty remote. They were perfect. I just left them a list of stuff to do and they just got it done - no hesitation in recommending them:)
(Excellent
)
1 Apr 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help with farming on a large, ...)
We recently volunteered for Anne and Stu for a week and absolutely loved the experience! We were based at the station , located in an wonderful, isolated lakeside position at the base of a mountain range. Our accommodation was a great little sleepout and we shared the living areas of the adjoining farmhouse where Tobias, a very friendly young… read more
(Excellent
)
27 Mar 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help wanted in Akaroa, New ...)
We volunteered for Amanda and David at the Lodge for nearly a month this February and can honestly say that we enjoyed every second of it! Amanda and David are wonderful, welcoming hosts who make you feel at ease the moment you set foot on site. The hours of work expected are very fair and generally a routine 10-2 shift, 5 days per week. The… read more
(Excellent
)
13 Feb 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Matt and Vicky stayed with us on our farm for ten days. These amazing people turned up during the hottest summer on record and during our peak harvest time and were such an amazing asset to our farm during their stay; I really don't know how we could have done it without them. Not only did they work well without any complaint but they used their… read more
(Excellent
)
6 Feb 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(We are a small hobby farm in ...)
We spent 10 exciting days helping out at Natalie and Dean's farm and couldn't have enjoyed the experience more! We were able to take part in many different tasks including harvesting a variety of melons and pumpkins, stocking the farm stall with produce, processing garlic, planting and mulching potatoes, removing old fences and pipes, collecting… read more
(Excellent
)
9 Feb 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Victoria and Matt were absolutely fantastic to have around. Polite, intelligent, hardworking, competent and interesting are just a few adjectives to describe them.
We have absolutely no hesitation to recommend them highly for any workaway placement they wish to apply for. One couldn't ask for better!
We have absolutely no hesitation to recommend them highly for any workaway placement they wish to apply for. One couldn't ask for better!
(Excellent
)
27 Jan 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Easy-going couple looking for ...)
We spent one week at Micaela and Colin's place in mid December and helped with a variety of tasks including weeding and tidying their lovely garden, cleaning the windows, painting the house and clearing leaves from the gutters. We worked for 4-5 hours each day and were offered the option of working additional hours on some days to earn a day off.… read more
(Very good
)
6 Feb 2017
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help at a farm near ...)
We only stayed a few days with Margaret and Richard but we were made to feel very welcome and at home in their lovely old farmhouse from the outset. Prior to our arrival all communication with Margaret was prompt and informative and she kindly arranged for her son to pick us up from the airport, as well as giving us lifts into and and back from… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Feb 2017
Left by host (Help at a farm near ...) for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
A lovely couple, only stayed for a few days, but fitted in very well and very helpful. Would love you to return.
(Excellent
)
20 Jan 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Thank you so much to let I know what you think about me!
(Excellent
)
2 Oct 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help my staff with their ...)
We volunteered for Mr Hung for 4 days in mid September and had an extremely enjoyable time. We would have loved to stay longer but our time left in Vietnam was very short. Mr Hung is one of the most genuinely friendly, welcoming and generous people we have met during our 3 months in Vietnam. He is also most definitely a businessman with great… read more
(Excellent
)
22 Dec 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Garlic, ginger and turmeric ...)
We spent 3 weeks volunteering at the garlic, ginger and tumeric farm and had an absolutely brilliant time! We helped with a variety of tasks including harvesting and hanging garlic, planting and mulching ginger, weeding the garden, clearing leaves from the gutters, painting and varnishing, making bunches of sunflowers to sell and feeding and… read more
(Excellent
)
16 Dec 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help a Lao family with a ...)
We spent 1 week volunteering for Church here in Nong Khiaw at end October 2016 and had an enjoyable stay. Church was brief in his communication before our arrival but he and his wife, Keo, were very welcoming once we reached Nong Khiaw. We were accommodated in a lovely bungalow and were provided with 3 local style meals a day which we ate in the… read more
(Very good
)
7 Dec 2016
Left by host (Hotels & Horses in Vang ...) for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
Thank you so much Vicky and Matt! You are both amazing people, both hard working, adaptable to circumstances and caring. The fruits of your labour from working in our vegetable gardens, starting seedlings, weeding, mulching trees, composting are all thriving. Matt 's excellent work painting, sanding and staining wooden floors with precision and… read more
(Excellent
)
25 Oct 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Hotels & Horses in Vang ...)
We spent an absolutely fantastic 2 weeks volunteering here and would loved to have stayed longer if we had more time. The task for Matt included sanding and varnishing floors and painting walls in the hotel rooms, while Vic went over the river by boat each day to feed and water the chickens, ducks and geese and to work in the garden. It was… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Sep 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help out with completing ...)
We recently volunteered for 2 weeks here where we worked alongside and got to know many lovely Vietnamese people with unique characters, who made our stay very special. The hostel, restaurant and bar is a relatively new business venture, occupying an older building with older facilities but it has great potential, an impressive and unique design… read more
(Very good
)
19 Aug 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Help out in a recently opened ...)
We volunteered here in the village of Kin Pun for 2 weeks at the beginning of June 2016 and had a fabulous time. We helped with a variety of tasks including the construction of a fence, cutting and clearing the grass, raking leaves, sweeping paths, assisting with serving and clearing meals in the restaurant and building flood defences, which meant… read more
(Very good
)
1 Mar 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(In need of ...)
We spent just over 2 weeks helping out at Nick's place during the Chinese New Year period and had a fabulous time! The work was undemanding and we enjoyed keeping the place clean and tidy, checking in guests and giving them help and information when needed. Nick was always prompt and to the point with email communication before we arrived and… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Feb 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew)
thank you for your good contribution during your stay, I wish you guys all the best .
Thank you
Thank you
(Very good
)
10 Feb 2016
Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Matthew) for host
(Come and enjoy unique rain ...)
We spent two very peaceful and relaxing weeks on this small, remote island on Lake Temenggor. Few guests visited during our time here so our stay was particularly quiet and we had plenty of time to admire the jungle covered mountains surrouding the lake.
Our work included two specific projects Steve asked us to complete as well as more routine… read more
Our work included two specific projects Steve asked us to complete as well as more routine… read more
(Very good
)
