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31 Jan 2026
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Description
Join our Anglo-Spanish family at our non-profit mountain sanctuary for a unique, off-grid yurt-life experience. Exchange your help with childcare and animals for comfortable village accommodation and optional training in ethical, force-free horsemanship.
About us:
We are an Anglo-Spanish family with two children (born 2015 and 2019), living and working at a registered non-profit horse and animal sanctuary on the edge of a small mountain village in the province of Málaga. Our family lives a mostly off-grid, simple life in a single yurt located on the sanctuary land.
We run educational programmes for participants from around the world who come to learn about positive reinforcement and ethical horsemanship. While these programmes fund the sanctuary, we host Workawayers to support our family life and land maintenance so that the sanctuary can continue.
The Exchange:
Because we are a small non-profit, we are currently only able to provide accommodation (not food). In recognition of this, we offer a skills-based exchange: volunteers can receive free training sessions in our force-free, ethical horsemanship methodology. This is a high-value opportunity for anyone interested in animal behaviour, though participation is entirely optional.
Current Volunteer Needs (Winter 2025/26):
We are currently seeking immediate help with:
* Family support / home help
* Childcare
* Daily horse chores (physically demanding)
* Small animal care (rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats)
* Social media & fundraising
Note: Tasks can be combined depending on your skills and our current priorities. Please see the detailed breakdown in the sections below for more information.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
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
House & pet sitting
Interests
Pets
Videography
LGBTQ
Events & social
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Van life
Self development
Farming
Charity work
Yoga / Wellness
Hiking
Art & design
Books
DIY & crafts
Music
Plant care
Photography
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Astronomy
Animals
Beach
Mountain
Outdoor activities
Nature
Dancing
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
* Off-Grid Living: See how a family thrives in a yurt using sustainable, low-impact methods.
* Ethical Horsemanship: Gain rare access to force-free training techniques that prioritise animal agency and psychology.
* Contribution: Directly support the survival and growth of a small animal non-profit dedicated to ethical, force-free care.
* Community: Life in a traditional Spanish "Pueblo Blanco" and a bilingual household and volunteer project.
* Nature & Reflection: For those seeking a slower pace, the surrounding mountains, forests, and river provide a peaceful setting for walking, hiking, journaling, or quiet time in nature to reflect and reset.
Au Pair Help
Further details can be found here
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
(Currently seeking only volunteers for: #1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 — Winter 2025/26)
1) Family support / home help
As we live in a single, off-grid yurt, organization and regular tidying are essential to our daily flow. Clare would greatly benefit from help around the home, such as cleaning, organizing, and food preparation. This role is perfect for someone who takes initiative and enjoys a meaningful, yurt-based lifestyle.
2) Childcare
We seek someone to support our life-schooled daughters (2015 & 2019). We value warmth and emotional literacy—no rigid or authoritarian styles. Our eldest is sensitive and creative; our youngest is energetic and affectionate. We seek someone "present without hovering" who respects children's autonomy. Activities and tasks may include food prep, crafts, nature walks, taking the children to local activities, support with personal organisation, and play.
3) Horse chores
To ensure horse welfare, we need help with manure clearing, cleaning water troughs, and filling/hanging hay nets. This is physically demanding but rewarding work. No experience necessary as full training will be given. While this role focuses on chores, you are welcome to join some of our ethical training sessions during your stay.
4) Small animal care
Caring for our rabbit colony, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. This may include cleaning, grooming, exercise, training, and basic health checks.
5) Land, DIY and maintenance support
We welcome self-motivated people for pruning, fencing, and land care. Projects often include building animal enclosures or improving our off-grid structures. We need self-driven people for this.
6) Cooking
Preparing healthy vegetarian/vegan meals from scratch. As we do not provide a food budget, this role usually involves sharing in a communal "potluck" style with the family or volunteers.
7) Social media & fundraising
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Clare is a native English speaker, and most locals are native Spanish speakers. We host volunteers from many countries and often have multiple languages spoken on site. Our children are bilingual and enjoy exposure to other languages. Volunteers of all nationalities are welcome.
Accommodation
Volunteers usually stay in our village house (a 15-minute walk from the sanctuary/yurt). It has electricity, heating, hot water, a washing machine, Wi-Fi, and a kitchen. There are two small bedrooms and five single beds.
Notes:
* You will usually share with equine programme participants, but in quiet periods you may get your own room.
* Sometimes there may be foster dogs or resident dogs in the accommodation
* If you prefer a private room or apartment and it is not available in the provided accommodation, it is possible to rent one at your own expense in the village, subject to availability.
You are welcome to eat independently or contribute food items and join us for meals when working together.
What else ...
Spare time:
Atajate is peaceful and scenic. You can enjoy regular local festivals and gatherings, such as the Atajate water fight in August, a German beer festival in October, and mushroom festivals in November.
For nature lovers, nearby attractions include the Canyon of the Vultures, ancient cave paintings (with guided walks), a secluded Paleochristian church, and a hidden Arab tower with no crowds. The beach is about 1½ hours away. Many volunteers appreciate the opportunity to enjoy a simpler rhythm of life through photography, creative work, or hiking.
Transport:
A weekday bus runs to the historic city of Ronda (18 km away), which offers excellent onward transport links. Car hire, local taxis, and airport collection are also available upon request.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Wi-Fi is available in the shared volunteer house and at a local bar/café a minute away. Vodafone mobile data generally works well for hotspots; other providers can be inconsistent.
Space for parking camper vans
Volunteers travelling in their own campervan <b>are very welcome<b>. We have some potential space on the land or nearby, depending on vehicle size and current use. <b>Please contact us in advance<b> so we can discuss what is feasible at that time.
Can possibly accept pets
Please <b>contact us to discuss your pet(s)<b> to see if a stay is possible.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Pisko
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (5)
Melanie is generally very friendly, open,… read more
I slept in my van and used the kitchen and common areas in the volunteer house, which was very cozy and lovingly set up. The farm was about a 15-minute walk away (a wonderful hiking trail through the nature). Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming from the very… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
Melanie is generally very friendly, open,… read more
I slept in my van and used the kitchen and common areas in the volunteer house, which was very cozy and lovingly set up. The farm was about a 15-minute walk away (a wonderful hiking trail through the nature). Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming from the very… read more
Love,
Jan and Vanessa
