Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
21 Mar 2024
Feedback
6
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi, my name's Sarah and I co-started this community project in 2007, and have been managing it (as a volunteer) ever since. It is an Environmental Education Centre in rural mid Suffolk, UK, run by local volunteers for a wider community of volunteers and students. The situation is very rural. Just 1.5 acres of old orchard in the middle of fields. We're now on Phase 2 of the heritage restoration project. We run practical vernacular courses in how to build with the clay under our feet and coppice trees from local woods. In the last six years we’ve trained over 250 in traditional timber framing - the ‘practice piece’ is a reinstated medieval building. Now we’re making our own hybrid daub insulation from locally dug clay and straw from the farm. We're doing this by hand, so no noisy machinery, plenty of time to listen to each other and the sounds of nature all around us.
We need lots of volunteer help this summer to get our new education space closed in before next winter.
Can you help? There are lots of skills to learn!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn about traditional low tech methods of building with earth and trees.
Meet and mix with local volunteers.
Explore the rich medieval history of Suffolk - we have a bicycle you can borrow.
Visit the historic wool towns of Lavenham and Kersey.
Learn about cooking on a wood stove and using seasonal, local produce.
Registered non-profit
This host is a registered CIC in the UK and is looking for help with their non-profit project. Please check directly with them if they can provide sponsorship. More info can be found here.
Help
Natural building experience - reinstating a heritage building.
Help needed to make the Light Straw Clay insulation material - to dig clay and convert it into a clay slip, mix with straw and pack into timber frame to insulate the oak timber frame we have been making for the last 5 years!
It is the reinstatement of a Suffolk Long House. First built in 1580. Last lived in 1930. Fell over 1960. Nature reclaimed the building and it disappeared under ivy, brambles and trees started to grow in it! We obtained planning permission in 2017 to reinstate it and have been converting local trees into a building ever since! Over 250 volunteers and trainees have learnt traditional carpentry to make and raise the frame.
When the building is complete we will use it for more environmental education, and be able to accommodate people like yourselves in it.
We may also need help gardening in polytunnel, raised beds and making compost. We are an organic Permaculture Centre.
we may need help hedge sculpting!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Bedroom in detached house in village adjacent to project (about 6 miles). Very rural. Some public transport (bus) Mondays to Saturdays, (none on Sundays). Nearest shop is five miles away. Pub and fish and chip shop within walking distance. Shared kitchen and bathroom. Also shared fridge, gas hob and washing machine. Self catering with some seasonal homegrown fruit and vegetables and basic staples provided. Pans, plates, cutlery also provided.
Small woodland garden with paved areas back and front of house.
Part time cat. Strictly NO smokers or drinkers.
What else ...
Great woodland walks and cycling. Historic buildings to view in local towns. Some buses but not Sundays. Trains from Needham Market. Suffolk coast approx 40 mins drive.
The project is an established Permaculture Land Centre which is intentionally off grid. We have learnt a lot about rain water management and small scale energy generation. Also about compost toilets and wood processing. We are working towards preservation of orchard fruit in traditional Kilmer jars and dehydration. Also fermented foods such as sauerkraut and pesto from wild garlic!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day (including breaks), 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
Communication: I always felt very Welcome, because the atmosphere at the barn and House we're always very Kind and peaceful.
Work: I helped mostly from 9 to 4 with a teabreak at 11am (very delicious tea) and a lunch break at 1 pm(one week lunch was provided, because of a summer school).
Mostly i was Part… read more
There’s not a lot you can walk to and there’s no wifi at the house so I would recommend having a SIM card.
The other volunteers Hiran and Baz really made my stay special. They… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
Communication: I always felt very Welcome, because the atmosphere at the barn and House we're always very Kind and peaceful.
Work: I helped mostly from 9 to 4 with a teabreak at 11am (very delicious tea) and a lunch break at 1 pm(one week lunch was provided, because of a summer school).
Mostly i was Part… read more
There’s not a lot you can walk to and there’s no wifi at the house so I would recommend having a SIM card.
The other volunteers Hiran and Baz really made my stay special. They… read more
