Details
Description
VOLUNTEER WANTED FROM JANUARY TO MID-MARCH — PREFERABLY FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD
Hello! I’m Nicole, and I live in a beautiful house with a garden in El Baix Penedès, a quiet and charming village surrounded by forests and fields, yet only 5 minutes from all necessary services, 10 minutes from the beach, and 1 hour from Barcelona. For personal reasons I have to travel quite often, and that’s why I’ve just joined the Workaway community — to find volunteers who can help me take care of my home and my animals.
The village where I live is calm and safe, with a few bars, a supermarket, and local restaurants. As soon as you step outside the house, you’ll find countryside and forest, perfect for walking and hiking. It’s the ideal place to disconnect while still being close to everything. The next town is only 5 minutes away by car (there are buses every day) or 20 minutes by bicycle, and it offers all the services you might need. If you love the beach, you can reach it in just 10 minutes by car or bus — we have both quiet beaches and more touristy ones. Additionally, Barcelona is only an hour away by train, so you can easily enjoy both nature and the city.
My home is warm and welcoming, with plenty of space to relax, enjoy nature, and spend time with my pets. I have a dog, Milo, who is very friendly and playful. He has a lot of energy but also enjoys calm moments and cuddles. Milo is not fully trained, so we are looking for someone with experience walking dogs, as he can pull on the leash and bark when he sees other dogs or gets anxious to go outside. He is not dangerous, but he does require someone careful and experienced. However, since we are surrounded by fields and forest, it’s rare to encounter other dogs during walks. My cat, Missy, is a Persian and quite independent. She loves exploring the garden and discovering new corners, and sometimes she seeks cuddles and a bit of attention, although she is a bit more reserved. They are both very affectionate companions and will make your stay very enjoyable.
We are looking for responsible people — individuals or couples — who can stay for a long period (preferably until mid-March), who have experience with dogs and cats, and who don’t mind having the pets inside the house from time to time. It’s important that the animals are not left alone, so volunteers should spend time at home every day, especially at night, to sleep with the pets inside. During the day, you can go out whenever you like, as long as you spend a few hours at home keeping them company. For this reason, volunteers are asked to stay in the house 7 days a week, although occasionally they may request to spend a weekend away, as long as they inform us in advance so my daughter can take care of the pets while you visit another place.
You will not be completely alone, as my daughter and other family members live very close and will come by each week to check that everything is in order or help you with anything you may need. I will be coming and going as well, but in any case you will have your own fully independent apartment within the house.
This is perfect for someone who loves animals and nature, or for someone who works online and wants a quiet and comfortable environment at home.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Help around the house
House sitting
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Staying at our home offers a real insight into life in a small, peaceful Spanish village. You will have the chance to experience our daily routines, including caring for our pets and maintaining a home and garden.
You can learn about how locals live in a family-oriented, close-knit community, explore the surrounding nature on beautiful walking and hiking trails, and enjoy small village life with local bars, restaurants, and shops.
Depending on the time of year, there may also be local events or festivals in Santa Oliva or nearby villages, giving you the opportunity to connect with the community and experience Spanish culture firsthand.
Help
We are looking for someone to stay in our home and help take care of our pets and the garden while I am away. The main tasks will include:
• At least one daily walk with Milo, our energetic and playful dog.
• Feeding Milo and Missy, providing them with fresh water, and giving them company and affection.
• Brushing Missy every day (this is important because she has a lot of fur), cleaning her eyes daily, and brushing Milo when necessary.
• Light garden care — it’s not much and not physically demanding. It may take around 1–2 hours per week. This includes mowing the lawn when needed and sweeping the terrace to keep it clean. A worker will come to take care of the more complicated gardening tasks.
Languages spoken
Catalan: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
English: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in a fully equipped, independent apartment located on the lower floor of our house. The apartment is private, clean, and secure, with its own entrance. It includes:
• A double bedroom with a large wardrobe for your clothes
• A bathroom with a shower
• A fully equipped kitchen
• A living and dining area with a television
• Wi-Fi for those who need to work online
• A washing machine for your laundry
• A garden with a swimming pool
You will also have access to a bicycle to move around the village and nearby areas. If not, you can also walk or take the bus or train.
Meals are not included, but you are welcome to use the kitchen to prepare your own food. There are supermarkets and small shops nearby, making it easy to cook and enjoy your meals at home.
The apartment is cozy and comfortable, with access to a large garden where you can relax and enjoy the sounds of nature and birdsong. It is the perfect place to disconnect.
What else ...
During your free time, you can explore the beautiful nature surrounding our village, with forests, fields, and walking trails just steps from the house. The nearby village is only 5 minutes away by car or 20 minutes by bike, offering shops, restaurants, and cafés. Barcelona is about an hour away by train or bus, making it easy to enjoy city life for a day trip.
We are a relaxed and welcoming household. Pets live inside the house, so it is important to respect them and enjoy spending time with them. We ask that you take care of the home as if it were your own, and that you communicate openly if any issues arise.
You will have access to a bicycle to move around, and we encourage you to take advantage of the peaceful environment to relax, read, work online, or simply enjoy the sounds of nature in the garden.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Photos
