Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2025
Reply rate
81.5 %
Usually responds within 7 days
Feedback
6
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Details
Description
Hello,
We are a family of five; myself, my wife, our 4 year old daughter Mili, our son Otto (18 months), and our Collie/ Kelpie pup, Bella. Our home is in a rural village in Dorset (in the UK). It's within the "Piddle Valley". (Please note there is v limited access to towns through public transport)
We live a low impact life; we live in a smallish cottage, our parents live next door to us in the farm house, and we keep a big no dig organic vegetable garden in the paddock with chickens. Before the paddock, there's a big lawn and my parents maintain a beautiful English garden with flower beds and shrubs, bedding plants and lots of roses. In spring the daffodils are out in force, and the garden evolves as the year progresses.
Our primary aim is to get some support around the house and with the kids. So, washing, cleaning, cooking, tidying, playing with kids. Effectively helping out my wife when I'm working.
A typical day for you might be starting at around 10 am in the garden, and then helping in the house in the afternoon with the kids and the other bits.
(If you are a couple then there'd be more scope for getting into gardening. So it would typically be split with one in the garden and one helping in the house, depending on the best balance. )
An important point to reinforce is that we're in a rural village, there are no transport links, so we'll either put you on our car insurance, so that you can drive, or you will need to rely on us for lifts. Either way, its best that you are happy in the countryside, and comfortable in this kind of environment. : )
People with driving licenses (that can drive in the UK) are helpful.
On the food side of things, we will provide food for you as well as lodging. If you're a couple we will probably ask you to do your own cooking in your apartment, and if you're alone then we'll aim to cook you lunch, and you'll cook your breakfast and dinner. Again if you have special requirements, we can work around that.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Cultural exchange options are there although time can be slightly limited within the busy lives of young families!
My wife is Manipuri, a north eastern state in India, and so you can get to know more about Manipuri's / Indians, their food etc. She's around every day, so this is an easy one.
My wife and mother spend lots of time in the vegetable garden, so there's lots to learn on that front.
My parents are good traditional English. You can learn about keeping the garden with my father if and when you help there.
My wife is a keen yoga instructor, and we are both keen on spiritual practices.
I am a huge walker and eagerly walk and run around the beautiful Dorset countryside.
I love a wild swim too, and head out for wild swims to the coast and rivers in the summer quite regularly. I also run a tech business and can share thoughts, or give you some experience around that, if you're interested
We're a well read family, so there's always a book around, and now the dog as well, if you're a canine purveyor! She's super bright and will adore the attention, and learning, if you are keen to try your hand at training. ; )
Au Pair Help
This host has let us know they’ll be complying with UK regulations for au pair stays.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Our primary aim is to get some support around the house and with the kids.
- washing, cleaning, cooking, tidying, playing with kids, wearing kids
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Hindi: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
You will be staying in a ground floor studio flat which was the old dairy. It's a large open plan room with a double bed, a separate bathroom with shower and sink plus a small kitchen with an electric oven, hob and microwave. It has a terrace outside as well. (see photos in the profile)
What else ...
The place is in Central Dorset, and has some beautiful countryside and coast - for walking, running, cycling etc
Our place is peaceful and quiet, there is very limited local bus transport, so a car or a driving license is important, if not critical
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I work in tech, so we have the requisite fibre connection and a studio flat we have is a great workspace too.
Space for parking camper vans
There's space to put a van, but ideally it would not be too big!
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (6)
The work was varied, I loved looking after Mili… read more
During our… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The work was varied, I loved looking after Mili… read more
During our… read more
Mem and Tom are such lovely people, the place is great and now I'm in love with Dorset! It's such a beautiful country!
I'm missing my time with your little one, I'm missing our chats, I'm missing pretty much everything!
I found friends there and I think that's the… read more
Good communication was one of the many strength points of our stay and allowed us to adjust and manage the activities balancing Tom and Memthoi’s needs and ours. We really enjoyed… read more
