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29 May 2025
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Description
Welcome to our home!
We are a couple, Hans and Catharina, just turned 60, and decided 5 year ago to get off the rat race and live a more sustainable and fulfilling life. We are still developing our small ecological homestead in the beautiful archipelago of Tjust/ Västervik (3 hours south of Stockholm) on an island called Hasselö.
Hasselö is located in the Tjust archipelago, midway between Västervik and Loftahammar in northern Småland – without a fixed connection to the mainland. The island, together with the neighboring island and the nature reserve Sladö, are two of the archipelago’s most vibrant islands. Connected by a small bridge, they stretch nine km through varied nature – from lush deciduous forest and barren pine forest to meadows and bare cliffs against an open horizon.
It’s a small community of people (44 persons living all year around) with a mixed background, there are ample possibilities to learn about and get insights in the traditional swedish way of life as well as learning of modern thoughts and ideas in the sustainability challenges we are all facing.
We try to live our life as simple and sustainable as possible and we are looking forward to sharing our thoughts and ideas, we are open for and welcome new perspectives.
We grow our own vegetables, fruits and berries inspired by a permaculture way and we are eager to share our knowledge and experiences.
Renovating our house and barn is an ongoing never-ending projekt, with environmental friendly methods only, learning along the way, offering ample opportunity to learn with us and share knowledge about both modern and traditional sustainable building methods
We keep chickens for eggs and meat for our own consumption and as a part of a permaculture, circular method of growing vegetables, offering valuable insights in the processes of nature.
We have regular jobs that sometimes take us off the island.
This means that there will be moments when you may need to help independently or together with other guests.
We eat all kinds of food, primarily vegetarian food, we appreciate to cook together with you, to get new influences!
If you are 100% vegan, unfortunately we can not provide that.
Our dream is to expand the living facilities so we can welcome people and offer opportunities for diverse cultural exchanges.
It’s important for us to have an attitude of inclusion and diversity towards all people regardless.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
LGBTQ
Farming
Plant care
Photography
Music
Languages
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Books
Art & design
Animals
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
As we speak Swedish, English, Spanish and a little Italian there will be a lot of opportunities to practice languages.
After traveling all over the world we have experience of and are interested in connecting with new people and exchanging ideas and experiences.
We are developing the garden and surrounding grounds in a permaculture-inspired way, we will be working together learning about the natural processes of nature to create an abundant, diverse, beautiful and resilient source of food for both body and soul.
Our home and our ongoing projects in building, renovating offer a multitude of learning opportunities to practice traditional building and renovating skills and a chance to join us in our journey towards self-sufficiency and resilience in connection with mother earth.
Previous experience with diy building, gardening, animal care or simply a keen interest in learning about these topics is highly appreciated. Whether you are skilled or just curious, your enthusiasm and willingness to be part of our farm life are what matter most.
Help
The work during spring and autumn can include a variety of different tasks, such as help with painting, cleaning and preparing the garden in the spring or harvesting in the late summer or autumn and more. So we are looking for 1 or 2 volunteers to help us! A couple or two friends would be great.
We look forward to hearing from you!
We have morning meeting at 8 where we will discuss the days activities. We will be doing tasks together but you will also be expected to be able to help independently as we have other jobs by side.. We will be around available for support of course!
We are not looking to replace locally paid tradespeople as all tasks are on a DIY principle. Nor are we looking to replace employees in our business that will be closed during your stay as we are looking for workawayers during off-season.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Swedish: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
Accommodation
We have a sweet, small guest cottage "Drängstugan" (approx. 20m2) on the farm with 2 rooms, in one room there are 2 x 90 cm beds, and in the other room a little dining table, there is also a small simple kitchenette with a small microwave, water in a can and a small fridge, i.e. no kitchen for large cooking.
Electrical heating.
Bed linen and towels are included and clean ones will be offered once a week.
Possibility to borrow a grill and washing up facilities are outdoors and laundry machine in the main house,
We have a nice outdoor toilet and shared shower in the main house.
There is internet connection but no TV.
Its not allowed to smoke on the farm.
You will eat breakfast during our morning meetings at 8.
You provide your own lunch and we eat dinner together at around 7.
Sometimes we will have a swedish "fika" (coffee and a bun) together when the job schedule allows.
On the farm there are chickens and a rooster that makes sounds like chickens and roosters do! We have a happy Labrador called Leia!
What else ...
Catharina is halfdutch, raised i Spain and Hans in Italy, we have to grown up daughters that both live abroad, so we are are used to and welcome different cultures.
There are no cars on Hasselö, only quads and bicycles, but the best way to explore the island is by foot.
We have bikes and also a little rowboat to borrow if you like.
You will have ample opportunities to explore a wonderful part of our unique archipelago, by hiking, swimming, kayaking or why not camp under the stars with the sea and the woods as a neighbor!
Every season has its charm and the archipelago is magical to visit even during autumn, winter and spring. Hike, cycle and bathe, enjoy the tranquility and the changes in nature. On Hasselö and Sladö, around forty people live permanently and the island is very much alive in summer and more slow going during the rest of the year.
Regular boat trips depart from Gränsö canal all year round.
During the fall, winter and spring, there is a little restaurant ”Sjökanten's "winter pub"; The thirsty Winterswan, is open on Saturdays from 4 pm to 7 pm, a very appreciated place to socialize with the islanders!
As we have regular boat trips to Västervik you have the possibility to explore the lovely town of Västervik and the surroundings.
There is a little shop "Handelsboa" is open all year-round, and with the option to shop on your own. It offers basic groceries.
On the farm its not allowed to smoke or use drugs.
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
