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Help a non-profit project creating a new space in Surrey, UK

Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We've recently bought a barn conversion on six acres near Billingshurst, West Sussex, and we're right at the beginning of creating the next version of a project we've been already been running for seven years.

    At our previous two-acre site, we developed a permaculture food forest and hosted more than 200 volunteers through Workaway and other platforms. The project is a UK charity, with fresh produce going to the local food bank, alongside growing spaces, education and equine-assisted activities for young adults.

    Eventually, we simply outgrew the land.

    Now we have three times the space, a bigger home and lots of potential. We're starting again, taking what worked before and seeing what it can become here.

    We're a fairly introverted, open-minded family who love nature, ideas and making things. He has a science mind, she has an arts mind, and our 13-year-old daughter loves to read.

    You'll probably enjoy it here if you're interested in permaculture, food growing, alternative education, social and connective arts, wellbeing, yoga, sauna and cold plunges, technology and storytelling, renovation and design, or simply nature, books and quiet mornings.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Teaching
    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Light maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
    House & pet sitting
  • Interests

    Interests

    Books
    Art & design
    Music
    DIY & crafts
    Carpentry
    Animals
    Hiking
    Camping
    Beach
    Cycling
    Sailing / Boating
    Fitness
    Dancing
    LGBTQ
    Sustainability
    Van life
    Self development
    Farming
    Charity work
    Plant care
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Drawing & painting
    Writing
    Performing arts
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    Outdoor activities
    Water sports
    Adventure sports
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    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

    We've hosted people with all sorts of skills over the years and we really enjoy exchanges where people can teach, learn and contribute something they genuinely care about.

    Tell us when you're thinking of coming, what you're interested in and what you'd enjoy contributing, and let's have a conversation from there.

    Nothing beyond the Workaway exchange is promised or arranged in advance, but over the years some relationships with previous volunteers have developed into internships, paid project work, English-language practice, references, travel opportunities and scholarships.

    Those opportunities grew naturally out of relationships rather than being part of the volunteering arrangement.

    There have also been several weddings, babies and countless long-lasting friendships between people who originally met through our Workaways. That has been one of the loveliest unexpected parts of hosting.

    A couple who originally met while volunteering with us now live nearby. We're supporting their start-up and they're still very much part of our extended community, so you'll probably meet them and may sometimes work alongside them on projects here.

    We also have musical instruments, including guitars, ukuleles, handpans, steel drums and a keyboard, as well as a Reformer Pilates machine, massage table, books and board games.
    There's an EV charger, beach and picnic gear, and plenty of countryside straight from the door.

  • 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.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    What we'd love help with depends on the season, where our projects are when you arrive, and just as importantly, what you're good at and what you enjoy.

    You might help plant fruit and pollinator trees, create raised beds or hügelkultur beds, improve soil, mulch, harvest, forage, preserve food, build tree guards or fencing, establish bee colonies, care for chickens, design a potager garden or help create communal spaces.

    There may also be opportunities to help with the charity's activities, education projects, food bank support, social media, storytelling, outreach or other computer-based work, if that interests you.

    Usually there will be a mix of outdoor help and practical indoor projects.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    The house is a spacious barn conversion with exposed beams, double-height glazing, underfloor heating and a large open-plan kitchen and living area, which will probably become the main place where everyone gathers.

    There's a wood-burner, patio, timber Breeze House gazebo and a wood-fired hot tub.

    At the moment we can host one or two female helpers in the house. We haven't yet built separate volunteer accommodation at this new site and, because we have a 13-year-old daughter, we're currently only comfortable hosting women within the family home.
    It's nothing to do with anyone's character. It's simply about the layout of the house and what feels right for us as parents.
    Once independent accommodation is ready, we expect this to change and go back to how we hosted at our previous site.

    You may share a bedroom with another helper, and the bathroom will be shared with one or two other people. We'll make sure the room is comfortable, practical and nice to be in.

    If you like the sound of joining us while things are still new, evolving and occasionally a little chaotic, we'd love to hear from you.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We're in Broadford Bridge, around 2.5 miles from Billingshurst.
    Billingshurst has shops, a leisure centre, doctors and a mainline railway station with direct trains to London and the south coast, so day trips are easy.

    Gatwick Airport is around 30 minutes away, Brighton and the Sussex coast around 45 minutes, and the South Downs National Park is close by.

    Arundel, Petworth, Amberley and Wisborough Green are all within easy reach for castles, historic houses, antiques, cafés and country pubs.

    There is also good walking and cycling straight from the house.

  • 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

    Can happily set you up with a working space. Please let us know your needs in advance.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Can accept males if you are in a camper van

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Moon and Loki

Host ref number: 112324896419

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