Leah

Reiseinformationen

Ich bin gerade

Beschreibung

Hello and thank you for exploring my profile :) --- I'm available after 8th January 2026 for up to 4-weeks in Ireland or Spain.

I can help on varied dates, depending on work, and can support lastminute in Asturias and Cantabria as I live in Asturias (I'm not travelling, I'm happily settled); they're easy to get to without much planning.

I get contacted often for all kinds of Workaway opportunities, which is wonderful, but I'm not really interested in anything except pet-sitting, home-sitting, albergue support, ecotourism and beekeeping.

QUALIFICATIONS & CAREER: I've studied a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Care (with distinction - full-time study - two years duration), a BSc Hons in Wildlife Conservation, PgDip Youth & Community Work (distinction), PgCert Ecology & Spirituality (distinction), 190-hour Ecotherapy Cert., etc., etc.., and have tonnes of work experience in those fields too. I'm a former wildlife conservationist, bat biologist, eco-consciousness thought leader and I'm a published co-author in the same topic. I've also worked extensively as an environmental community projects officer, international youth development worker for social and environmental impact (working across 32 different countries in-person or virtually - see photos) and in Nature connection for 23-years. For over a decade I've also managed coaching and mentoring programmes across the globe in themes of wellbeing, youth development, leadership and peer-support. I am a known leader in the field of youth coaching/mentoring (ICF-ACTP qualified coach, EMCC EIA Senior Practitioner in mentoring and coaching, NVQ IAG Level 4, etc.). I'm also currently part of the editing team for a British academic journal, and an independent researcher and writer of Nature connection, eco-consciousnesses and extraordinary experiences in solitude/Nature/ pilgrimages etc. I still undertaken wildlife conservation as a personal project and monitor bears and wolves, etc., in land I've bought to protect. Yes, my CV is bizarre, but everything interlinks one way or another!

ANIMAL CARE EXPERIENCE: I've looked after ALL kinds of plants and animals over my lifetime, for myself and other people, including: dogs, cows, cats, axolotls, horses, chickens, geese, ducks, donkeys, lizards, fish, amphibians, goats, sheep, snakes, insects like tarantulas, small mammals, wildlife etc. I also used to work as a licensed bat surveyor and cared for injured bats. In my youth, I worked daily on a dairy farm with 55 milking cows, in pet stores, at a horse riding centre and at animal rescues too. I have absolutely no experience in beekeeping, yet would love to.

PILGRIMS & ECOTOURISM: As a pilgrim and eco-tourist myself, I would love to work (preferably a paid position; perhaps voluntary) in an albergue on the Camino de Santiago or other pilgrim's route, or an eco-tourism project. I've undertaken a few pilgrimages in pure solitude to reach sacred places, but this year I walked alone for 29-days in March 2025 across Castilla y León. I have helped on two ecotourism projects; both in Kenya and I'm passionate about including local communities and their local culture into sustainable tourism and ecotourism programmes.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU & VICE VERSA: I do expect some really basic food in return for my support; it's a fair return. All I need is some bare basics in exchange for my time e.g. potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese (or mushrooms/similar if you're vegan), garlic, milk, eggs (or nuts/similar if you're vegan), herbs, salt, oil and bread - I can be very creative with just those ingredients, even for a few weeks🙂. And, if I'm home/pet-sitting, I don't need any days "off" - I'm there for your animals and plants for the entire stay every day. Your home will be just how you left it, or even better; I love to clean. I can keep you updated whilst you're away with a daily message, videos and photos, if you'd like that.

YOUR LOCATION, LOCAL AMMENITIES & TRANSPORT: I mostly live in pure isolation, as you'll read below and see in my photos (the images of mountains are the views from my home), yet I've also lived in massive cities like Guayaquil in Ecuador and Kampala in Uganda, working with communities, so I don't shy away from solitude and aloneness or urban settings. I love walking and hiking, so, if you have dogs, horses, donkeys or other animals that like a short or long stroll it would be my pleasure to walk with them if they're used to that (I don't ride horses anymore). Also, I don't drive anymore (I haven't driven for 20-years by choice!) and I don't cycle but, I can hike and hike far - I'm used to walking around three to seven-hours a day in the mountains I live in, with a break in the middle. However, a little shop, food seller, or bar within a 60-minute walk from your home would be nice unless you stock up for my stay (I'm happy to be left alone for up to 4-weeks in pure solitude with no amenities).

MY CURRENT LIFE & PERSONAL INFO: I am married to my wonderful Spanish husband and best friend Daniel, who is from Asturias - we've been together for over 18-years (see photo in 'photos'); we lived in Leeds city centre for 10-years and in Ecuador for a year before moving here. I'm originally from Wirral, UK, with Scottish and Irish roots (mostly Irish - hence why I'd love to volunteer in Ireland next year). I've spent a lot of time alone working, for several weeks and months, in countries across Africa too (rural locations like Ndhiwa, Rusinga and Mukuni and big cities like Kampala and Livingstone). Once we settled into Daniel's ancestral Asturian lands eight years ago, a month later our Carea Leonés dog Bowie arrived by magic, literally, on the doorstep as a little pup with a broken hip (see photos of Bowie). My husband happily stays at home with Bowie when I help you out - I travel alone, and travel often so this is very normal for us. We're surrounded by plenty of wildlife and have no children. Our little cottage is in a quiet village of just 15 elderly neighbours (except us) at the near peak of a mountain, and we have an even more isolated stone cabin in the middle of the mountains, about three-four hours walk away, with no neighbours/distant lights/electricity poles/nada, at all, as far as the eye can see, where I go to write and disconnect half of the week alone (see photo of its views). The wolves and bears are my regular visitors there (no humans, not even family visit), and as a conservationist that adores privacy, and protects land, I keep the location of these special places exceptionally secret and quiet.🐺

MY PERSONALITY & VALUES: You've probably guessed a lot about me already by now. I'm super friendly and smiley (well I think I am, hehe), but I do like to keep myself to myself as well, unless I'm directly working with people. I've worked with thousands of people over my 23-year international youth and community career across 32-countries (in-person and online)! I tend not to socialise much in my personal time. I love sharing cultures and stories, but I also need my space, and in my personal life I just prefer to be alone. I will not however shy away from a good conversation when I'm around people; I love finding out about traditions and local culture and my skills in coaching and mentoring come in handy to enable good insightful conversations to flow. I'm also more than happy to meet via Zoom or GoogleMeet on video, if you'd like to check that I'm right for you first. If you're in Asturias I may even be able to meet you beforehand.

I do not smoke and I have never done any drugs of any kind. I do love a wine/sidra asturiana with food, or a beer on a sunny day. In my personal life I eat local and seasonal (I have absolutely no dietary requirements - I eat what I'm given and what we have access to, within reason); especially from our own allotments and the magical land and forests that we have become the loving guardians of. We buy products from local farmers, butchers, fishmongers and growers and go to the farmer's market fortnightly to stock up (including clothes, which we buy only when genuinely needed - once yearly or less - we live a simple, humble life as much as we can; don't get me wrong, though, a traditional local restaurant once a month isn't turned away hehe).

YOUR ACCOMMODATION & MY STAY: I'm used to living off-grid and staying in very basic conditions: outside compost loo, mud huts, candle light only, cold water from a well, bucket shower etc. However, I do prefer to sleep on a "good" mattress. I'm happy with tents, tipis and huts, but they need a mattress; not a mat, thin foam or a hammock - my back simply hates me nowadays if I sleep without one. NOTE: I do sometimes sleep out in the wilds and for this I prefer a hammock to a tent, but can only manage a hammock for a few nights. In addition, a private bedroom/sleeping area is 100% imperative for me if there are other people in your property whilst I'm there. Although I'm not vegetarian (I used to be until I moved into the rhythm of local and seasonal!), I will absolutely respect and live by the rules in your home and eat only vegetarian or vegan food, if required. And any other rules I must follow - I will. I've lived with groups of tribal people in Ecuador and Zambia and had to follow their diets, and I also strictly adhered to their cultural rules; it's a wonderful experience. The lemon ants, caterpillars and grubs were hard, but I did it with gratitude and respect. I would never disrespect any other culture, or an individual's choice/s, ever, intentionally, and I am open to learning as much as possible to adapt.

YOUR PRIVACY: I don't use social media so I will never share photos, location or videos of your home, land, animals or property. I value privacy, it's one of my top five core values, so I will also respect yours.

ANIMALS REQUIRING MEDICATION: Please note, I am not a vet nor a veterinary nurse and I have absolutely NO medical qualifications. However, I'm happy to administer any medications or injections that have been prescribed by a vet. I have done this for my own pets and during my BTEC ND animal care training. You must, however, show me how to administer these meds/injections before you leave, and leave me with clear written instructions. It is important that the medication is labelled and in its original box. I also expect you to leave me with a local emergency contact in case I need help (for any emergency reason), and the name, address and number of your vet. Remember, I can't drive so you need to plan a 'backup' for transport in case there's an unforeseen emergency. If relevant, e.g. I'm caring for farm animals, I also expect you to have a fire extinguisher or hose close to your animal pens for emergency reasons and a basic first aid kit if you live in solitude/a very rural location. Please ensure that your pets are flea free when I'm there. I am not allergic to bee stings or any animals of any kind. I am allergic to feather pillows/duvets that I sleep on, but strangely when they're on the birds feathers don't seem to bother me.

MY LANGUAGE SKILLS: I'm native British. I understand Spanish very well and speak Spanish at an intermediate level; I can have a good conversation in Spanish. However, I use translation apps to translate written Spanish as that's my weakest language skill.

REFERENCES: Obviously you can see some here. Also, I do have a very complete, and active, professional LinkedIn page with my certifications and accreditations (including my animal care and conservation qualifications), videos of me delivering international training/projects, videos of my community work, and numerous reviews/recommendations from my other work colleagues/clients (not animal care, except a mention of bats!). However, I will only provide this information if you are serious about my support and if we have agreed dates and details.

Wahhh, that was a lot, but I hope it was helpful.

I'd love to help out if I'm right for you and you're right for me. 😊
Thank you so much,
Leah

Interessengebiete

Schreiben

Selbstentwicklung

Nachhaltigkeit

Gärtnern

Fotografie

Haustiere

Natur

Gebirge

Wandern

Farmarbeit

Kultur

Bücher

Tiere

Gesprochene Sprachen

Englisch: Fließend
Spanisch: Gute Kenntnisse

Bereiche, die mich interessieren oder in denen ich anderen etwas beibringen kann

Interessiert mich:  

Betreuung von Tieren

House sitting

Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof

Hausarbeiten

Tourismus / Gastgewerbe

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Bereits etwas Erfahrung vorhanden  

Ökoprojekte

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In der Lage, anderen etwas beizubringen:  

Karitative Arbeit

Was könntest du arbeiten?

Please see description for my relevant skills. 🌞

Alter

42

Was noch ...

A private bedroom or sleeping area with a sturdy mattress is required (not a mat, blow up air bed or a hammock; some sofa beds are okay if the foam isn't super thin!), and I do not want to stay in a home where people smoke indoors (I can't bear the smell of cigarettes). I like to keep myself to myself so please be aware I may not always be social, but I can be and I'm super smiley. I'm happy to meet on a video call first.

Etwas mehr Information

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  Raucher

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  Führerschein

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  Allergien
  Yes. I'm extremely allergic to feather bedding, pillows and duvets that I will be sleeping on: I'm not allergic to birds and can absolutely 100% look after birds! I can explain more, if required.

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  Spezielle Ernährung
  No, none at all, except that Octopus are one of my favourite animals, so I refuse to eat them. I also refuse to eat companion animals, including horses and donkeys no matter where I am in the world. I will adapt to any/all dietary requests/requirements in