Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Mar 2024
Reply rate
80.4 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
31
Email verified
Host offers payment
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We have availability this summer from May - September, for help setting up tents for a busy summer Event Season. This would suit couples who enjoy physical outdoor work, seeing new places, and working to achieve a goal, to help set up marquees for events for weddings, parties and festivals.
Previous experience is an advantage for this and driving is necessary. There is separate accommodation provided.
From October 2024 we also seek couples, (sorry, no singles due to the balance of help we need), to help with housekeeping and general maintenance.
Alex (my partner) and I, and our two children - Cordelia (13) and Sherlock (9) live in an idyllic lake-view site in West Sussex close to the bustling city of Brighton.
We share this magical space with guests via an online rental site, and need help with housekeeping and maintenance. Ideally you will have your own accommodation (camper van or similar), but we have a room that can be used in the bottom of our guesthouse.
If you and your partner are have have good attention to detail (or even be a bit OCD especially around cleaning!!), take pride in what you do, are helpful, proactive, practical and proficient at housekeeping and organising, and have carpentry and building skills, you could be just who we need!
Housekeeping is the majority of assistance needed along with with carpentry and general building, with a basic knowledge of electrics and plumbing which is helpful, as there are always things to be mended and re-purposed. And also some helping with our two lovely kids who may need to be collected or dropped to school/ clubs and checked in on (they are very independent) if we're away.
Driving is a necessity for getting around the vicinity, and the occasional school collection and we have vehicles you can use when needed as well as bicycles and even a boat(!) to explore the locality as there are lots of picturesque bridal-paths and the River Ardur just along one of those in the locality to be able to explore. Brighton is 30 minutes by bus (timetable slightly limited), and trains to London in 50 mins are 20 mins drive away.
Your living would be quite independent from us, but communal meals are encouraged at least once a week so we can catch up and commune.
We need between 3 - 5 hours per day (more the help is needed and you are willing), 5 days per week and pay £9.50 per hour for all tasks.
Accommodation, if needed, is deducted at £75 per week per person.
Read our reviews to see the experience and set-up we offer, and look forward to hearing from you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Aside from English language and culture the interesting bird-life in the surrounding areas (including our own chickens, ducks, peacocks and moorhens) could be studied.
Nearby Knepp Castle is a nature reserve renound for it's 're-wilding' which is often extremely interesting for visitors to visit.
There are walks around the countryside all around us, and for the adventurous, you can take our canoe and paddle down to Brighton!
The wetlands that surround us, contain an incredible amount of diverse birdlife, and is an ornithologist paradise.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips 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
Mainly we require assistance involving housekeeping, cleaning, laundry, carpentry, general building, maintenance, electrics, plumbing, gardening, driving (school-run) and animal husbandry (chickens).
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation would ideally be in your own camper van, RV, or similar, but we do have a double bedroom that can be used which is located in the guest house next to our house which is a fully functioning house including a full kitchen and bathroom.
What else ...
The surrounding areas are stunning - with vineyards, cycle tracks, walks, historical sights, not to mention market-towns and Brighton which is an alternative music and arts focused city is just 20 minutes away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Yes we have super-fast internet which has just been installed.
Space for parking camper vans
We have a yard where caravans can be parked.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
The maximum would usually be 5 hours a day, 5 days a week but there are options to do more if desired.
Feedback (17)
Ah yes, for the magnificent view and unique landscape. What an amazing place. We were lucky enough to be accepted by Katherine in November 2023, we stayed there until January 18th, which was the longest our passport allowed us to stay. Because believe me, we would still be there, if would possible. 👀
At first, it was very… read more
The experience we had with them was absolutely fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any host who would be lucky enough to be contacted by them.
Allan and Sloba are a great team - organised, great at communicating and clarifying tasks if needed,… read more
They are trustworthy and responsible, and helped us with cleaning and light maintenance around our rental site.
They love animals and are passionate vegans so enjoyed taking care of… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.6)
Ah yes, for the magnificent view and unique landscape. What an amazing place. We were lucky enough to be accepted by Katherine in November 2023, we stayed there until January 18th, which was the longest our passport allowed us to stay. Because believe me, we would still be there, if would possible. 👀
At first, it was very… read more
The experience we had with them was absolutely fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any host who would be lucky enough to be contacted by them.
Allan and Sloba are a great team - organised, great at communicating and clarifying tasks if needed,… read more
They are trustworthy and responsible, and helped us with cleaning and light maintenance around our rental site.
They love animals and are passionate vegans so enjoyed taking care of… read more
They're both excellent company to hang out with, enjoying many a long communal dinner together (amazing what you can cook in a camper van it turns out!) and as avid foragers they would often bring cordials and home-made wine to… read more
We came for a month initially and ended up staying for 5 months.
The work element is divided between cleaning and handling changeovers in the rental spaces (all of which have their own quirky character) and maintaining and developing the whole property.
There is always loads to do and plenty of freedom… read more
They are both very respectful, motivated, careful and considered. If they are not sure about a task they always check, but were also able to work independently and get a job done if needed to.
Their English is a good… read more
Kath is really nice and kind person, always with a smile on her face and superhardworking. Also her partner Alex was always ready to help us. And his cooking is… read more
Energetic, smart, efficient, responsible, quick learners and keen to learn...what more could you ask for!
They're great to hang out with as well as work with, and they were a pleasure to host in our family for 6 weeks.
I would thoroughly recommend them as workawayers and all round great humans in general!
We quickly felt like part of the family and
If we could do it all… read more
They got involved in all sorts of activities, and became part of our family.
Jordan has an incredible 'can do' attitude, and literally runs between tasks! He is quick thinking, eagar to learn, remembers schedules of tasks that are needed, and nothing is too much trouble… read more
Some tasks were really challenging but we developed lots of new skills :)
The kids are full or energy so for sure… read more
He is very practical and hands-on which was ideal for us. Especially within the garden - he is a very good landscape gardener! He got on fantastically with our kids, and was great with them.
He is quiet and self contained but also really enjoys other people's company too so is the perfect balance.
A… read more
You live on Rye Island... a tiny paradise. You have your own room, and if there are not a lot of guests, you can use the whole guesthouse (kitchen, toilet, dining room etc.) for yourself.
Whenever possible, Katherine gave us her car so that we could go… read more
Katherine runs her empire on the most beautiful serene property right beside the lake in the countryside, but also so easily accessible to the Brighton and London.
We did a huge array of jobs from painting, housekeeping, help with some building projects, no day was the… read more
They have really kind hearts and are both really good with children and they love looking after animals and had a really good bond with our chickens!
We have quite an independent workaway set-up so they had their own room/ house to use, but came to… read more
In general, our feedback… read more
The family welcomed us and treated us like family, were always patient, and kind.
We had the opportunity to carry out a multitude of creative and fun projects, always open to suggestions and new ideas.
For… read more
