Help me with practical tasks around the garden and house in central England.

United Kingdom

Favourited 286 times

Host rating
Feedback
28
Last activity
12/02/2020
Nº of Facebook friends
684
Reply rate
66.7 %
Average reply time:
within 2 days
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Availability

2020

Min stay requested: at least a week

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What's this?

Details

Description
I am an ex-English language teacher (RSA DELTA qualified) who now works supporting business leaders from large UK companies with creative facilitation, storytelling and engagement planning. I spend a lot of time at home in between work sessions, looking after my 12 year old daughter and her friends when they visit, building up my health and wellbeing, volunteering with local community groups and being in my lovely garden.

I really enjoy the times work-away guests come here, and like to keep my language teaching 'live' as we live and work together. How much we focus on this really depends on how motivated you are to learn, but there really is nothing like immersion in a native language environment to gain more confidence speaking and listening and extend your language range. I particularly enjoy helping with pronunciation and functional language development, but I'm pretty good on grammar etc too. We are quite sociable and enjoy spending time with friends, playing games together - we like to have fun.

I live in a lovely village in the middle of Charnwood Forest, close to Loughborough and Leicester. My house and garden are comfortable and colourful - we have a sleep-out in the garden with its own small kitchen (bathroom is in the house so it's a walk through the garden) - generally we eat together but you can have a bit of independence if you like to. There's a spare bike here and a bus route to Loughborough and Leicester. We will include you in as much of our activities as we can and help you make contacts in the local community to meet more people if possible.

I play music (violin and sing a bit) mostly with friends in pub sessions. I enjoy spending time outdoors and growing vegetables and now flowers too! Work hours are flexible - I prefer people who have enough experience to self-motivate and self-manage to an extent, and this usually works really well. I'm happy to show you how to do tasks you've not tackled before. The work is mostly either in the garden or doing DIY/painting and decorating.

Our home is generally a quiet and peaceful place as alongside being with friends I also love stillness and tranquility - if that balance works for you please do get in touch....
Type of help
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I have a lot of experience supporting people in exploring a new language and culture, and will help you find as many creative ways as possible to connect with the local community here if you want to. I can help you improve your English through informal feedback during the day and more focussed study time during 'down time' if you are motivated to do this and happy to ask for help.
Help
I am very happy to use whatever skills people have to offer - I enjoy developing spaces and like to work alongside others when I'm not at work myself. I particularly value people with practical skills, and a positive, friendly approach to life.

Projects include:
planting and growing vegetables, flowers and shrubs
weeding and clearing ground
painting and decorating
woodworking maintenance/building if you have these skills
batch cooking if you have these skills
Languages spoken
English, a little bit of French
Accommodation
Accomodation is in a sleepout in the garden... this is on mains power and water, and very comfortable. In colder weather there may be a bedroom in the house available. My house has a large kitchen and living room with a wood stove, and has been decorated recently - it's comfortable and well looked after, a cosy space.
What else ...
We have two cats so anyone with cat allergies won't be suitable. Occasionally the work can be independent / unsupervised so experience and skills to suit this would be great.

We live in Charnwood Forest, a beautiful area in the East Midlands. The house is surrounded by an extensive network of country parks and woodland so is great if you like walking, running or cycling.

There is a bus service to the nearest town (Loughborough) and city (Leicester), but this doesn't run in the evenings.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day average, flexible to suit you so you can have days out etc and work more on other days if you wish.

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (28)

27/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host

Jos and her family was so lovely, so wonderful. The stay with them was very rewarding on a human level. It has been a pleasure to help them in their various tasks, it's a family who always has a smile. When you work it's not a constraint but it's with real pleasure that you carry out your task and help them. You can also arrange your working… read more

(Excellent )

08/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Julien)

Julien is a brilliant workawayer. He is so friendly, considerate and helpful, gets really stuck into tasks and works hard and to a high standard. He's got good practical skills across a range of tasks - here he helped with the garden, DIY, decorating and some hard physical work breaking cement and building new steps, and moving large amounts of… read more

(Excellent )

08/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Ilaria)

We had such a lovely time with Ilaria, it was a real pleasure to spend time with her. Ilaria is a great workawayer - she has really good skills (she's an amazing artist and brings a level of attention to detail with her which is a definite assett). Ilaria is highly capable in organising and planning, and her background in HR shows as those working… read more

(Excellent )

08/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Jeverson)

Jeverson is a fantastic workawayer, really kind, considerate and diligent, getting on easily with others and always positive and helpful. His motto while we were working is 'yes we can!', which during my occasional moments of doubt about whether we could collectively manage some of the harder tasks we had to tackle was very helpful to keep us all… read more

(Excellent )

16/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Matias )

Matias joined us for two periods of a couple of weeks each. He was really friendly, warm and open, and fitted in very easily at home, finding his way around and taking responsibility for managing and planning work at a time when I was very busy and wasn't able to be home most days. He is a very motivated person who cares a lot about the standard… read more

(Excellent )

16/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Matias ) for host

I stayed with Jos and her daughter in her cozy house right in the middle of a beautiful town surrounded by forest.
The experience was great as Jos is a super kind woman with a truly open heart and her daughter is lovely as well.
I worked at the beginning in the garden and then inside the house. There are always things that need to be done and is… read more

(Excellent )

17/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Duncan)

Duncan is a really great person to have around the place. He is very capable and friendly, naturally considerate and responsible, and is really motivated to do a good job and get involved. He fitted in with our family so easily, was lovely with my daughter - kind and entertaining but also respectful of her space and of us as a family. … read more

(Excellent )

17/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Duncan) for host

Jos was a fantastic host. Really welcoming, kind, and interesting. She has a really freeing outlook on life which helped to make this Workaway experience more memorable. After a 5 week stay, I felt like part of the family and was very comfortable staying in the fantastic yurt in the garden! The work in the garden was also very satisfying and it… read more

(Excellent )

01/05/2016

Left by Workawayer (Luis Miguel) for host

My first flight and first time out from Spain. I remember many times when I met in person to Jos, I got off the bus, I heard my name, then a hug and bye bye nerves and fear! Lovely person, hugs lover, every moment with Jos was amazing, super grateful woman and highly sympathetic with my level of English. I love nature and in my free time I could… read more

(Excellent )

15/04/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Luis Miguel)

Luismi is a great workawayer - he is motivated, quick to learn and has good practical skills. He works well unsupervised (he was working solo during his visit) and is a careful, diligent person who can be relied on to apply himself fully to the task in hand. He is easy to live alongside, as he is both tidy and considerate of others. A warm and… read more

(Excellent )

04/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Iratxe) for host

I had such a great time with Jos and her daughter on their lovely house at the beautiful little village Woodhouse Eaves, surrounded by gorgeous national parks. It was a pleasure for me to do my first workaway here. Jos is a wonderful woman, we spent a lot of great moments together: cooking, talking, working, sharing, laughing,... She always helped… read more

(Excellent )

18/05/2013

Left by Workawayer (Hannah) for host

I had a great time in Jos's beautiful house for a snowy week in January. The small village which she lives in is very cute and quaint, with beautiful walks very close by. Jos took me in even though there wasn't quite enough space for us all, so we had a cosy and lovely week - not a problem when I sometimes ended up sleeping on animal skins in… read more

(Excellent )

05/02/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Hannah)

hannah is a lovely person, very easy to get on with, helpful and considerate. She painted some great pictures for me to put up around the house, and was very helpful for other workaway guests who wanted to improve their English. She comes highly recommended by me.

(Excellent )

16/05/2013

Left by Workawayer (Victor) for host

I have spent good time with Joss and her daugther. They are two very sympathic persons ! Job to do there could be diversified, and we can manage our time ourself. The village is in quiet countryside but close to some big cities. Joss give some good help with English. Thank you! I would not fail to return to greet you if I pass again by there.

(Excellent )

03/05/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Victor)

Victor stayed with me for about 3 weeks. Shortly after he arrived I realised we had to dig a deep trench a long way through very stony ground. Victor was amazing! He took the task on solo, and worked really hard and steadily, with impressive practical competency which reflects the years of outdoors work he's put in on his family's farm. He was… read more

(Excellent )

03/05/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Christine)

Christine really put a lot of thought and effort into all the tasks she did while she stayed with us, and her attention to detail is very impressive - I've learned some new approaches and skills from watching how she does things. She is very well organised, reliable, kind and considerate, as well as being a warm and open person. Thanks for all… read more

(Excellent )

02/05/2013

Left by Workawayer (Christine) for host

I’m very grateful for the three weeks I’ve been living with Jos. She’s been a great host; she's supported me not only as an English learner but also as someone on their personal journey and she’s made plenty of things possible which I’ve enjoyed a lot! Thank you!

(Excellent )

22/04/2013

Left by Workawayer (Unai & Laura) for host

We cannot thank Destiny enough for having been touched by Josh´s Magic Wand. Three Ws for her: Wise, Wondeful, and ... Wild.
You are great Big J !!
All the best!

(Excellent )

20/02/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Unai & Laura)

hi both - i'm trying to send you a message but it doesn't look like you're receiving them - so i'm trying this way instead! maybe you can send me alternative contact details?
Laura and Unai stayed with me for a month. They were a real pleasure to have here - they were very considerate, warm and friendly, and happy to help with all sorts of… read more

(Excellent )

11/03/2013

Left by Workawayer (Matteo) for host

Jos is an excellent host and I am happy to recommend her to any workawayer who wishes to stay in a friendly and warm environment, enjoy the life in a lovely, very tipical English village, listen good folk music (pub musical sessions: simply outstanding), receive very useful advice on how to improve the English language, enjoy the pleasure of… read more

(Excellent )

09/03/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Matteo)

Teo was a great workawayer - really motivated and very hard working, he did lots more hours than he should have done, in fact it was impossible to stop him working! he got real satisfaction from the tasks he undertook. He is very considerate, extremely polite and keen to fit in and support the daily life of the household he's in. He was great… read more

(Excellent )

04/03/2013

Left by Workawayer (Paolo) for host

With Jos you can experience the real spirit of Workaway! Travel finding that you can be mutually useful, meet new, interesting and friendly people, share and exchange interests and friends; this was my experience, long about 7 weeks in company of Jos and her little and sweet daughter Ros.
Much of the work that Jos will propose to you it's on… read more

(Excellent )

28/02/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Paolo)

Paolo is a super-workawayer! he stayed with us for 7 weeks, and we were really sorry to see him go. He is a very kind, respectful and considerate person who is really easy to share living space with. He is friendly and has a good sense of humour, he's a lot of fun. And he's a fantastic worker! He got loads done, tough work in cold weather,… read more

(Excellent )

25/02/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Isabelle)

Isabelle is a lovely person, very kind and helpful and quick to make friends. She fitted in straight away, took a real interest in what was happening around her, and as well as doing the workaway jobs also helped out around the house, cooked for us etc, which we appreciated. Thanks for your help Isabelle.

(Excellent )

24/02/2013

Left by Workawayer (Isabelle) for host

Working in the garden in british winter - brrr.... - wasn't a piece of cake but Jos is a very warm and affectionate person. I experienced interesting things and made new friends so it was a fantastic stay ! Thanks a lot, I wish I can come back some day.

(Excellent )

20/02/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Jake)

Jake is a lovely person, very kind and polite, who takes a real interest in the world and is very easy to have to stay. He has a positive and helpful attitude and is always willing to help out when asked. thanks Jake - enjoy the rest of your travels!

(Good )

14/02/2013

Left by Workawayer (Gonzalo) for host

I have been with Jos for almost 1 month, and it was a really nice experience...
She lives in a beautiful countryside, I felt very comfortable in her house.
We spent a lot of time together, to cook, to play, to share, to learn, to teach...
She is really nice person and open minded, she enjoys helping people with English language. She is good… read more

(Excellent )

11/02/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Gonzalo)

Gonzalo is a really lovely person, kind, helpful and considerate. He is a great cook (professional chef) who in addition to ´official´ jobs also regularly fed us all with delicious food. He´s good fun, and will definitely bring a happy feeling with him to your home if he comes to stay with you. Great worker too - thanks Gonzalo.

(Excellent )

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