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The image depicts a group of people gathered around a table, engaged in a meeting or discussion, with a few individuals seated and others standing, conveying a sense of collaboration and communication.
The image depicts a kitchen scene with a stove, sink, and cabinets, featuring a person standing in front of the stove, surrounded by various items and utensils. The atmosphere appears to be domestic and organized.
The image depicts a room with a bed, desk, and chair, featuring a large window and a door, with a white wall and a gray floor, providing a simple and functional space.
The image depicts a large, white, two-story house with a dark roof and door, featuring multiple windows, a driveway, and a cloudy sky in the background.
The image depicts two individuals working on a wooden structure in a grassy area, with a building, cars, and trees visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
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Help our Buddhist community in Somerset, UK

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    27 May 2025

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    93.9 %

    Usually responds within 4 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    96

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Badges (3)

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a Buddhist Community that is renovating a historic Manor House.

    Our aim is to transform the house and grounds into a meditation retreat and cultural centre with an emphasis on ecological values. The house is set in 52 acres of beautiful countryside on the edge of the Quantock Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is a magical land with ancient trees and wild red deer that graze on the front lawn. There is an extensive walled garden where we are growing vegetables and flowers. During the warmer months, we host retreats and events.

    As a community, we meditate together each morning and dine together for lunch and dinner. The food is vegan and is mostly organic.

    The emphasis is on creating community, and a good balance between working alongside people and space for meditation, reflection and relaxing. The evenings are a mix of organised events such as music, board games or discussion groups, sauna and movie nights.

    ---

    We are looking for volunteers who can help with the many tasks involved in renovating an old Grade two listed building. This is hands-on, physical work. We are looking for physically capable people with practical skills and aptitude.

    We also need gardeners to help with our garden. Garden help involves weeding, planting, digging , harvesting and garden maintenance.

    We also need people to be part of the cooking team. The communal meals are all vegan. A typical meal is 25 people usually with a lead cook and an assistant. This can move up to 40+ in the summer.

    We need people with digital storytelling skills who are happy to work on social media projects and other marketing tasks. We require people with experience in paid promotion (specifically using Meta Business Suite and Google Ads).

    --

    We are especially looking for people with a sincere interest to explore an alternative way of life, encompassing ethics, direct communication, communal living and mindfulness. You do not have to have any experience in Buddhism - we host plenty of people completely new to this way of life.

    Authenticity is a key reason our community thrives. Please, when you write to us, be honest about your skills, experience and expectations. We want to get a sense of your personality, so we ask that you do not use AI to write your application.

    More information about us is on our website. Please ask for details.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    Icon

    ...

    ...

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    There will be daily opportunities to learn and practice meditation as well as explore the principles and philosophy of Buddhism. We have a big library of Buddhist books, poetry, and psychology. But the opportunity to see Buddhist principles brought to life in everyday situations is what you will truly carry with you after your time here.

    We are a thriving community and really enjoy the chance to share our way of life. The size of the community ranges between 12-30 people depending on the season - during the summer months, we run arts and meditation retreats that are inspirational and stimulating. The core community is around 18 and we have a wide range of talents; musical, scientific, pedagogic, nature based...

    We have a plethora of community events during the week as an opportunity to form more and stronger connections with core community members and volunteers alike. For example, buddhism study, rituals, morning meditations, movie nights, community nights and more.

    Learning to be in touch with your emotions, and undergoing the vulnerable experience of communicating them with others can be a really transformative opportunity. It can teach you a lot about yourself.

  • Charity

    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.

  • Help

    Help

    We are working to a high standard, as the building is Grade II listed.

    We do not accept people for more than two weeks, for a first stay.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Volunteers will mainly stay in a six bed dormitory or caravans. In summer there is more space for tents.

    We have a beautiful sauna.

    We have good wifi and the phone signal is reasonably strong.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There will be plenty of opportunities to explore this beautiful area of the Quantock hills. There are numerous magical walks up onto the hills and into the valleys. It is an enchanted place with many viewpoints and hidden wonders to discover. We are two miles from the sea that hosts an interesting beach and is walking distance from a small village with a delightful garden cafe. In the evenings you can expect to participate in a range of activities such as movies, dance, music, meditation and discussion groups.

    For anyone interested in the Buddhism, arts and poetry it will be an inspiration.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Though we are rural, we have strong internet. We ask our volunteers to come ready to immerse themselves in community life, with an openness to others in the community and the new friendships that may emerge from staying here. If you have lots of personal work that means you will be very busy while you are here, it is unlikely that you will be able to involve yourself properly within our community and experience true integration. For this reason, it is preferable to come when you don't have external responsibilities.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have ample space for most live-in vehicles. There are no immediate electricity points or washing facilities present, these are accessible in the main house.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 629563257382

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Photos

The image depicts a group of people gathered around a table, engaged in a meeting or discussion, with a few individuals seated and others standing, conveying a sense of collaboration and communication.
The image depicts a large white building with a dark roof, situated on a hill, surrounded by smaller buildings and vehicles, set against a pink and cloudy sky.
The image depicts a kitchen scene with a stove, sink, and cabinets, featuring a person standing in front of the stove, surrounded by various items and utensils. The atmosphere appears to be domestic and organized.
The image depicts a room with a bed, desk, and chair, featuring a large window and a door, with a white wall and a gray floor, providing a simple and functional space.
The image depicts a large, white, two-story house with a dark roof and door, featuring multiple windows, a driveway, and a cloudy sky in the background.
The image depicts two individuals working on a wooden structure in a grassy area, with a building, cars, and trees visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a serene garden scene, featuring a stone wall, a paved path, and a variety of potted plants and trees, set against a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a woman standing beside a large tree with a thick trunk, surrounded by lush greenery and moss, in a serene outdoor setting.
 Show all photos
The image depicts a serene scene of a stone wall, trees, and tents in a grassy field, set against a blue sky with white clouds.
The image depicts a group of people gathered around a picnic table on a grassy lawn, with a large white building serving as a backdrop.
The image depicts an old, weathered wooden door with a large metal latch, set within a rustic brick archway, surrounded by a lush grassy field and trees.

Feedback

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