United Kingdom
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Hi Everybody
We are Chrissy and Andy, we have two daughters Allanah 24 & Rosie 15
Sadly I feel we need to say at the beginning PLEASE do not ask to come if you do not want to be alone at any point
Or have something else in the pipeline we are not an optional holiday plan
The last four workaway placements have cancelled at the last minute in te mean time we have turned people away.
So please you will be made very welcome here, it is beautiful here
But we only want placements who want to be here because of what it is NOT because it will do until you get a better offer!
We fell in love with our beautiful ancient wood as soon as we saw it and bought it to protect and restore it to its healthy condition. We aim to live as lightly on the land as we can practically can. The work is hard and sometimes seems unending, but we love it and feel all our sacrifice is worth it.
Andy is a qualified forester/tree surgeon who divides his time between his business and the woodland. I work two days a week as a carer, I run the family home and spend the rest of my time at the wood. One of us is on site every day and occasionally we stay over.
Our daughter Rosie lives at home and is just starting her GCSE'S as a home schooled student and is currently more interested in the internet rather than the "outernet" although she has become more and more happy to be at the woodland . Our other daughter is not the outdoors type at all!! and lives in a town about 50 miles from us but also visits the woodland occasionally.
We are an easy-going family with a good work ethic, we have a natural respect for people and our environment. We like to have a laugh but without being too rowdy.
We work at festivals in the summer months so in winter we are free to devote our time to the woodland.
We do run a very small glamping space with three tents so we often have other guests on site
Help is also required to keep volunteer shared areas clean so cleaning is part of the volunteer week but
We are not looking for unpaid help with our business paying guests just the shared areas all helpers use :)
Also we are not looking for paying guests
This offer is for a Workaway placement only
We have a Woodland Management Plan in conjunction with the Forestry Commission. We are keen to get on with this but need help.
It is our family policy to treat people as we would wish to be treated , think before you speak as words can so often leave permanent memories and generally be kind to each other xx
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Other
Help with Eco project
Help in the house
Charity work
Art project
Help with Computers / internet
Experience Designated Ancient Woodland and the flora and fauna living in it.
Understand what the UK is hoping to achieve by protecting certain areas, and what can be done to ensure their survival and health.
Learn and practice your English and perhaps teach us some of your language and culture.
Experience off-grid living with sustainable energy .
Learn about hospitality
Learn some English crafts.
Learn about the trees and plants that live in UK woodland and how to care for them.
This is 8.5 acres of newly-owned designated Ancient Woodland.
We need help to clear debris and fauna of overgrowth and windfall wood. There is a great deal to do so we can proceed with our Woodland Management Plan.
As we work, we try to take time out to play and are happy to share our new skills in carving and whittling the hope is to turn tree stumps into fairy homes by carving, wood burning, and creating miniature gardens at the bases, very little is wasted or unwanted here, we love to make beautiful things for the wood.
Tasks are primarily:
painting
chopping logs
clearing brambles
barrowing and laying bark chips
tree care
cleaning
This placement is ideal
For a couple or a pair of friends
Singles are not a problem just that the evenings can be lonely
We currently have one live in permanent helper Lel his is very funny and kind and always willing to spend time with helpers and show them around the local area.
He likes to go to boot fairs on a Sunday morning in the summer and happy to take people along with him.
Chrissy often needs help with computer bits and bobs too
and occasionally:
visits to an elderly relative’s residence for cleaning, decorating etc.
You need to be physically strong and happy to be left alone in woodland (some moonless nights are very dark and visiting wildlife often make strange noises). Summer months the nights seem as bright as the days sometimes
Instead of doing five days of five hours, we propose you do three days of eight hours. Or four days for 6 hours ,This will give you three or four clear days in which to visit the area or just chill out and enjoy the peace.
We do expect you to arrive for the helping day on time having had your breakfast and to be ready to work with us :)
If the 8 hour day is too long for you we move to four 6 hour days and in winter. Too as the daylight is less
english
A caravan with heating*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ and lights. We are solar-powered here so you will be able to charge phones and play music. We have a generator that we use sparingly for extra power, and we can charge bigger items at our house if necessary.
Possibility of being offered a bell tent through summer or a sofa in the lounge tent to allow more helpers
If you are happy with a tent please let us know ( you still hVe the lounge /kitchen and shower ) just use the tent as bedroom.
There is a shower here and composting toilets, in separate buildings.
A basic stock of Food will be provided for you to cook yourself. The burger van kitchen will be available or you can go wild and cook outdoors! Snacks and fruit will be provided, tea, coffee etc.
Often Chrissy gives money to go to the butchers or farm shop and choose food and when Chrissy is on site in the evening she will often cook for everybody
There is provision to wash up. It is really
Important to keep the space clean and tidy so not to attract pests
We can do laundry, but please make up a full load as we prefer not to mix your washing up with others.
There is a giant tepee for anyone who wants to live and feel the forest, cook on the open fire, very basic accommodation totally off grid with no electric supply. however phone charging and laptop charging can be done in the lounge
Alternatively, we can support One park-up if you have your own live-in vehicle, you are welcome to use the toilets, shower and fridge / cooking facilities.
We have a lounge tent with comfortable chairs, a table, and board games if you want to socialise in your free time. we tend to stay at weekends and sometimes bring the home modem for movie nights
*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️ Heating in the caravan. This is a LPG gas heater which you should not leave on overnight. If you warm up the caravan in the evening you will be comfortable until the morning.can be cold on wake up when temperatures are low
There is a bus stop at the end of our lane, the station is 2k away (we can arrange lifts).
The historic City of Canterbury is 20 minutes away. In fact the whole area is rich in history both in the built and natural environment.
Herne Bay, Whitstable and Thanet are popular seaside towns where there is plenty to see and do.
There are local shops within walking distance.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Two
max 25 hours
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
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Communication:
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