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11 Jan 2025
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Description
We are a Buddhist Community that is renovating a historic Manor House.
Our aim is to transform the house and grounds into a meditation retreat and cultural centre with an emphasis on ecological values. The house is set in 52 acres of beautiful countryside on the edge of the Quantock Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is a magical land with ancient trees and wild red deer that graze on the front lawn. There is an extensive walled garden where we are growing vegetables and flowers. During the warmer months, we host retreats and events.
As a community, we meditate together each morning and dine together for lunch and dinner. The food is vegan and is mostly organic.
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We are looking for volunteers who can help with building work. It's hands-on, physical work. We are especially looking for experienced construction workers and carpenters, who can take ownership of projects without needing monitoring. If you do not have these skills, but have strength and a positive attitude to physical work, we would also be grateful to have you here.
We also need people to help with our permaculture garden.
We need people to cook. A typical meal is 20 people, moving up to 40+ when we are hosting a retreat.
Administrative work is also very important to our project, particularly marketers and fundraisers.
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We are especially looking for people with a sincere interest to explore an alternative way of life, encompassing ethics, direct communication, communal living and mindfulness. You do not have to have any experience in Buddhism - we host plenty of people completely new to this way of life.
At the moment the community comprises of many dedicated and hard working individuals with a range of practical skills and extensive training in mindfulness and community building. These 'soft' skills ensure that when you come and stay here you will feel welcomed and well taken care of, and immediately part of a circle, a community and a team. The experience is disarming, and will invite you to open yourself to trusting the process of being part of something larger than you, and being in service to a vision that promotes balance and well-being for all.
Authenticity is a key reason our community thrives. Please, when you write to us, be honest about your skills, experience and expectations.
More information about us is on our website. Please ask for details.Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsCreating/ Cooking family mealsGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There will be daily opportunities to learn and practice meditation as well as explore the principles and philosophy of Buddhism. We have a big library of Buddhist books, poetry, and psychology. But the opportunity to see buddhist principles brought to life in everyday situations is what you will truly carry with you after your time here.
We are a thriving community and really enjoy the chance to share our way of life. The size of the community ranges between 12-30 people depending on the season - during the summer months, we run arts and meditation retreats that are inspirational and stimulating. The core community is around 18 and we have a wide range of talents; musical, scientific, pedagogic, nature based...
We have a plethora of community events during the week as an opportunity to form more and stronger connections with core community members and volunteers alike. For example, buddhism study, rituals, morning meditations, movie nights, community nights and more.
Learning to be in touch with your emotions, and undergoing the vulnerable experience of communicating them with others can be a really transformative opportunity. It can teach you a lot about yourself.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.
Help
We are working to a high standard, as the building is Grade II listed. We are especially looking for bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, cooks (comfortable cooking for 15+ people) and gardeners.
We do not accept people for more than two weeks, for a first stay.Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Volunteers will mainly stay in a six bed dormitory. In summer there is more space for tents.
We have a beautiful sauna.
We have good wifi and the phone signal is reasonably strong.What else ...
There will be plenty of opportunities to explore this beautiful area of the Quantock hills. There are numerous magical walks up onto the hills and into the valleys. It is an enchanted place with many viewpoints and hidden wonders to discover. We are two miles from the sea that hosts an interesting beach and is walking distance from a small village with a delightful garden cafe. In the evenings you can expect to participate in a range of activities such as movies, dance, music, meditation and discussion groups.
For anyone interested in the Buddhism, arts and poetry it will be an inspiration.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Though we are rural, we have strong internet. We ask our volunteers to come ready to immerse themselves in community life, with an openness to others in the community and the new friendships that may emerge from staying here. If you have lots of personal work that means you will be very busy while you are here, it is unlikely that you will be able to involve yourself properly within our community and experience true integration. For this reason, it is preferable to come when you don't have lots of external responsibilities.
Space for parking camper vans
We have ample space for most live-in vehicles. There are no immediate electricity points or washing facilities present, these are accessible in the main house.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (45)
He did a range of different tasks from working on the land to decorating, he was professional, skilled, receptive and able to respond intelligently to whatever was needed in the… read more
I chose this place as I enjoy physical work and have worked on house restoration and DIY maintenance over many years, although not on a professional basis. I am also a practicing Buddhist and… read more
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He did a range of different tasks from working on the land to decorating, he was professional, skilled, receptive and able to respond intelligently to whatever was needed in the… read more
I chose this place as I enjoy physical work and have worked on house restoration and DIY maintenance over many years, although not on a professional basis. I am also a practicing Buddhist and… read more
The practice of meditation, honest openness and connection, alongside the peaceful wisdom of the landscape… read more
I don't have the words to express the gratitude and deep feelings this experience has given me. During my time here, I had the opportunity to learn about myself, discover inner emotions, feel truly alive, and explore my heart, mind, and body. Although I stayed with you all for seven weeks, it felt like twelve years. I had the privilege… read more
It was such a beautiful experience!
I was mostly working in the garden: weeding and uprooting a lot, but Olivia the gardener is super nice, so if you are a bit bored doing the same thing, she can find you other tasks in the garden sometimes (planting trees…). Of course, during the… read more
I stayed there in August of 2023 for two weeks and I stayed in a renovated annex with the facilities. I wanted to do this experience for two reasons: to improve my English and to meditate.
I was very excited for these reasons because I had a… read more
She engaged in whatever was asked of her willingly undertaking a range of tasks. We'd be happy top have her return again for a longer… read more
She fitted into the community easily engaging in whatever was needed as well as being, playful, creative and receptive.
We'd welcome her back, she has a great sense of humour and is talented and able to work as part of a team.
The community is diverse, vibrant, loving and hard working. You will find people from the community itself, workawayers… read more
I learned a lot of myself in the 2 weeks that I stayed, the day goes really fast, early meditation, morning meeting, work, coffee break, eating, work, coffee break, eat more, and relax!
what else you need?
beautiful experience
at the beginning might be hard to integrate in the… read more
I found the work very fulfilling and was very grateful for the opportunity to learn about Buddhism and mindfulness. Hoping I'll be able to make it back!
He is easy going, generous spirited,… read more
The work is fair and enjoyable, the food is great and free time can be spent in so many… read more
The… read more
I felt immediately welcomed and at home in the community full of wonderful people.
The historic house and surrounding nature is breathtaking. The food is amazing, and the beds are super comfy.
The work is very fair and I really appreciated the effort made to match… read more
She was able to apply herself to work and engage fully with whatever task was set for her, whether it was gardening, sanding, painting, cooking, she brings her thoughtful intelligence and… read more
I was cooking most of the time being here, when I needed a break from cooking (when running out of ideas with vegan… read more
We were sad that she had another workaway to go to as she is fun to have around. Creative, engaging, generous in sharing her skills, an excellent cook.
He… read more
Everyone has a beautiful soul and the place is magic, surrounded by nature. We got to help with some wall painting and we are thankfull for the trust they gave to… read more
Beautiful trees,.
One need say no more.
I felt welcomed, but more than this, after a few days I understood that I'm feeling loved. Even with no need for words. Just being with the people, working together or in a meeting. Love is in the air here.
Because of the short time, I… read more
This is a large renovation project which needs people who can work hard on the building site 5 days a week. It also needs people who can cook for upwards of 10 people, as… read more
The food was incredible, the people were accommodating and even provided me with a spare… read more
It's said that the people make the place, in this case I would say that both are valid. The building itself is steeped in history and the grounds is home to ancient woodland with some of the oldest trees more fitting to a fairy tale; at times literally larger than life!
From its location you can explore the North end of the… read more
I was warmly welcomed by the community. I found I quickly slotted in to the daily routine which begins at 7:30 with optional meditation, followed by a self-serve breakfast, followed by a 9 a.m. meeting where every individual is invited to share how they are feeling, again optional, followed by daily briefings regarding work and community… read more