***We have new availability at our communities this year. Currently We are looking for someone who is able to start from June/July 2026 at the City and farm community. . It would suit someone with settled status or UK resident. If this is something you are interested in please get in touch!***
Come join us! We are looking for volunteers aged 18-30 (UK Youth Mobility visa age limit) with a good standard of English who are available for 6 months placements.
What we are looking for:
We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic, and energetic volunteers who are willing to live with us for a minimum of 6 months at our City and Farm communities where we offer residential support for homeless young people.
As a residential volunteer, you'll become an integral part of a compassionate and dedicated team. Together, we create a safe and nurturing environment that fosters personal growth, development, and empowerment for vulnerable young people. Your role will involve building trusting relationships, offering emotional support, and assisting with daily activities
We are looking for Workawayers who have the right to work in the UK (UK/Ireland/BNO or EU with settled/pre-settled status).
If you require a visa, please let us know and we can put you in touch with a partner organisation who can potentially support this process if you pass our assessment. We do not offer sponsorship for visas. Please note we cannot offer spouse visas. Please also be aware, that applying for a Visa may take some time, so is not suitable for those looking to start soon.
What You Gain:
This is a fully residential position with all accommodation and food provided, as well as a subsistence allowance for the volunteers . You will have your own bedroom in a shared house at the Farm or share with another volunteer at City. We also cover some weekly living expenses to make life a bit easier for you and a contribution to your travel expenses on arrival.
Other benefits include an Edinburgh Leisure card which gives you access to local authority gyms as well as social activities with residents and other volunteers.
If you are aged over 30 and are interested in supporting our adult residential community please visit the opportunities at our Village community Workaway page.
Thanks, we look forward to hearing from you!!!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
The communities are located in Edinburgh which is a culturally rich city. This is an excellent volunteering opportunity for people looking for a gap year or university placement in the charitable sector, offering great experience in the care or social work sector. We welcome volunteers from around the world.
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
Every day is very different and life is full of variety here. There are residents, staff members and volunteers from many walks of life. This will be a stimulating and hopefully rewarding role but may also be challenging and tough. You will be living alongside people who may struggle to engage, may have behaviours that are challenging, or are managing addictions. You will help in creating positive experiences and will help move residents from negative experiences of the past to a positive future.
You will help 37 hours a week in a flexible rota that you make with the other volunteers every week. It will be a mixture of weekday and weekend working, covering morning and evening shifts. You will always have 2 or 3 full days off a week, and 5 holiday days every 3 months. So plenty of time to explore the area!
Your role will include but is not limited to:
- Living alongside others and participating in community life. Engaging with residents and communicating with your colleagues/peers.
- Creating a fun, secure and stimulating space. Helping people develop the skills and confidence to move forward in life.
- Managing the day-to-day domestic tasks and decisions within the communities E.g. keeping the community space clean and tidy, adhering to food hygiene practices, ordering our food for the week, completing any odd jobs that need doing around the village!
- Organising and engaging in activities within the community.
- Supporting residents to take part in activities and placements.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
The two Communities accommodate up to fifteen residents between them, who are aged 18-30 and come to live in the communities as a result of being homeless. Both Communities have up to six volunteers who live with the residents in the community for placements between 6 and 9 months. Volunteers are also between the ages of 18 – 30 so they can be true peers to the residents. In the City Community, volunteers are required to share rooms due to space constraints. In addition, both Communities have a small staff team who are there to support the residents.
What else ...
Edinburgh is Scotland's second biggest city. As Scotland’s capital, it’s open-minded and dynamic, but small enough to walk almost anywhere you need to go. Its winding, often cobbled streets are loaded with excellent, restaurants, pubs, art galleries and shops.
There will be opportunities to travel in Scotland on days off and explore the beautiful city/surrounding areas. Many former volunteers with us have headed to the beautiful Highlands for long weekends. We have bikes that you can use, there are excellent cycle path routes in Edinburgh. There are also great bus links - we are very close to multiple bus stops.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
Potentially able to take very well behaved pets but please think about the reality of living in a community where we are supporting people who are experiencing homelessness. The needs of the residents need to the priority. Dogs in particular will need to be very good with people, adaptable and able to be left alone for periods of time.
Aurelie was a very thoughtful and pragmatic person, not one for acting without first processing the impact and looking at how best to support the person with what issue has arrived. She was flexible and supportive of the needs of the residents we support. In our community she was reliable and trusted source for new volunteers and had a great… read more positive impact on our workaway. Aurelie would be a great addition to any projects always volunteering with a positive attitude.
I really had the best time for the 6 months that I got to spend at the city community!! I met amazing people throughout my placement and I'll be forever grateful for the experience. I loved to get to know the young people living there and developing meaningful connections.
I would recommend this workaway to anyone who has an interest in working… read more in care work or social work, as it is a very human experience and requires a certain level of involvement in the community. It is more demanding than most workaways in a way that you do have responsabilities as you are working with vulnerable people with difficult backgrounds. I would totally recommend it to people who are looking for experience in the care work field or to try it out. I personally loved it and had so much fun all along. The community is very welcoming and I felt supported during my placement.
Also, Edinburgh is a great city to live in, with so much to see and to do. It's definitely worth visiting.
(Excellent
)
13 May 2025
Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host
My 6 month placement at the farm was a wonderful experience. Even though living with some residents wasn't always easy, I never regreted coming here. Staff is always very supportive and will help you in any way they can, and the volunteer team is closer to a big family than a group of coworkers. Meeting the residents and the volunteers from the… read more other communities was always very fun, as were the activites done at the farm. I would recommend 100%.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent
)
18 Mar 2025
Left by Workawayer (Isabella) for host
My time with the Community was genuinely such a life changing experience! I gained essential skills and received ample training to further my overall love for social care. I met absolutely amazing people and was moved by the amazing residents! I will never forget my time and would work/volunteer for them again!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Aurelie was a very thoughtful and pragmatic person, not one for acting without first processing the impact and looking at how best to support the person with what issue has arrived. She was flexible and supportive of the needs of the residents we support. In our community she was reliable and trusted source for new volunteers and had a great… read more positive impact on our workaway. Aurelie would be a great addition to any projects always volunteering with a positive attitude.
I really had the best time for the 6 months that I got to spend at the city community!! I met amazing people throughout my placement and I'll be forever grateful for the experience. I loved to get to know the young people living there and developing meaningful connections.
I would recommend this workaway to anyone who has an interest in working… read more in care work or social work, as it is a very human experience and requires a certain level of involvement in the community. It is more demanding than most workaways in a way that you do have responsabilities as you are working with vulnerable people with difficult backgrounds. I would totally recommend it to people who are looking for experience in the care work field or to try it out. I personally loved it and had so much fun all along. The community is very welcoming and I felt supported during my placement.
Also, Edinburgh is a great city to live in, with so much to see and to do. It's definitely worth visiting.
(Excellent)
13 May 2025
Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host
My 6 month placement at the farm was a wonderful experience. Even though living with some residents wasn't always easy, I never regreted coming here. Staff is always very supportive and will help you in any way they can, and the volunteer team is closer to a big family than a group of coworkers. Meeting the residents and the volunteers from the… read more other communities was always very fun, as were the activites done at the farm. I would recommend 100%.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
18 Mar 2025
Left by Workawayer (Isabella) for host
My time with the Community was genuinely such a life changing experience! I gained essential skills and received ample training to further my overall love for social care. I met absolutely amazing people and was moved by the amazing residents! I will never forget my time and would work/volunteer for them again!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
11 Apr 2023
Left by Workawayer (Itsleft) for host
One of the life-changing experience doing workaway here! I stayed in the farm for about two months 2022 summer. （sorry for late feedback totally forgot)
I've met the most precious souls and powerful ones there.
Thanks for the supportive staffs and the openness the community had been offered. The more you put into this community, you gain more… read more than you could ever expect!
I sincerely appreciate this opportunity and I've learned so much from myself, from the residents and the staffs.
I've been traveling and moving for years, this is the place I feel safe and feel home, lots of growing, lots of healing, lots of love.
I miss the rock I meditated, the woods, the family , even the late X22 bus lol.
I'm so grateful to be able to attend the Mentoring course in Edinburgh college and be able to do the cooking for the pantry through the community. Thank you so much for everyone who's with me in this journey.Take care and keep spreading love, guys. (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)
Lori
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
1 May 2022
Left by Workawayer (Laura) for host
Stayed at the Farm community for 7 months September-april, such an impactful time for me and I met so many people who I'll stay friends with. The team at the farm is fab, everyone is ridiculously friendly and I would definitely recommend this if your looking for a community living environment where you'll eat together and spend some of your free… read more time hanging out exploring Scotland :))
The work is tough but very rewarding, you do have to be mentally resilient as the work is emotional at times, and you can be dealing with very serious sensitive issues. But if like me (and a lot of the other helpers) you have an interest in psychology this can be such a meaningful step into the world of support work and the care system, and will teach you why it is so vital to have these spaces for the people who need them most.
I really will cherish the time that I had working at the farm, its the best Workaway I've done by far!!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
11 Mar 2022
Left by Workawayer (rayahuang) for host
Excellent experience!!
I was a helper in this farm community from Aug 2021 to March 2022! And I’m keen to work in the charity!
All the staffs and helpers are all so supportive !! We all maintained good relationships! I enjoy day to day living in experience there!
They also have more communities in Edinburgh which provide service to… read more adult/youth homeless, youth refugees and mental health.
Raya
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
28 Jul 2021
Left by Workawayer (Grace) for host
How to sum up my time at the place in a matter of words? It's simply not possible. This is an experience like no other which has had such a profound effect on me as a person. From the meaningful relationships I built with the residents, to the life long friendships I made amongst the other Workawayers, to the support I received from staff members… read more throughout my time there, I have learnt so much in the last few months.
It's difficult to encapsulate exactly what you will do during your placement because every day is so different. Suus summarises the practicalities of daily life very well in her post. More generally, I would say that if you're open to changing plans at the last moment, you're willing to whack out some crazy dance moves whilst cooking dinner, and you love singing out-of-tune Karaoke at the top of your lungs, then this is most definitely the place for you. However, even if these things don't appeal to you, as long as you're willing to engage with and learn from others, you'll still be wholeheartedly accepted into the community. This really is one of the most caring, nurturing and supportive environments that I have ever lived in.
My one regret from my time here is that I did not discover this 'workaway' sooner. I was only able to stay at the farm for 5 months due to other commitments, but under other circumstances I would have loved to have done a 9 month placement at the Farm, or perhaps I would have ventured into other parts of the charity. The opportunities to help others and for your own personal development are endless.
Thank you to Anna and all of the staff at the farm for making my time in Scotland so special. Most importantly, thank you to all of the residents. They are all amazing young adults who opened my eyes to the many joys and complexities of life. From getting involved in farm work, to mini-golf and swimming trips, to experimenting with frozen yoghurt and banana crumble recipes to pieing each other in the face with squirty cream, the guys made me belly laugh on a daily basis. I really could not recommend this workaway more. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
27 May 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Susan)
Suus was an excellent Workawayer. She arrived in the midst of quarantine restrictions and adapted very well to the new situation and all the young people she was living with. Suus is very self-motivated and didn't wait to be asked to do things, but sought out what needed doing. She is a lovely friendly person, keen to learn, considered and… read more thoughtful. The role she did is demanding and she performed it brilliantly at a difficult time. We've greatly enjoyed having Suus Workaway with us - and she will be missed!
(Excellent)
20 May 2021
Left by Workawayer (Susan) for host
I don't know where to start! This was my first workaway and definitely not my last. I stayed at the farm community for 3 months, the city for 3 months and even decided to extend my stay at a different part of the charity. Both of the communities are really nice. I stayed here during lockdown so things were different then usually, but we all tried… read more to make things as fun as possible.
The use of Workawayers is unique and really works well in my opinion. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming living with people who need some type of support, but the Workawayer team, staff and Anna are always there to help you! My main tasks were supporting residents, by listening or helping them. We assisted in keeping the house clean, cooking with a residents 1 or 2 times a week, money admin, shopping, organising activities, helped out with (online) college work and I went on lots of walks and played even more games! They offer loads of opportunities for training, there is so much to learn. You will have free time to explore the city and with travel restrictions easing the rest of Scotland.
I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about social/charity work, Scotland and wants to meet all these amazing young adults we support and live with! Lots of game nights, karaoke, and good memories guaranteed :)
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
9 Apr 2021
Left by Workawayer (Kinga) for host
This is not your usual Workaway. Fenomenal experience for anybody who wants to get a chance to live in Scotland, and do some really meaningful work. It gets hard sometimes, but you can always count on staff's help and support. You will meet fantastic young people from all kinds of backgrounds, with sometimes difficult past but with great… read more potential. You will spend days working and having fun, getting to know the residents, working in an international team of Workawayers, learning about Scotland, life here and social work. You will have a chance to have your say in how the community life looks like, enough time for your own hobbies and projects, chance to visit the country (provided lockdown is over...).
I feel really happy I had this experience.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
30 Mar 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Sheila)
Sheila was an excellent Workawayer at our City Community. She stayed with us for 6 months, in the midst of the pandemic and handled the role with maturity and kindness.
The role can be tricky, helping with young people who have experienced homelessness, some of whom have mental health difficulties and learning disabilities. This was particularly… read more difficult while trying to encourage our residents to abide by lockdown rules and understand the importance of them. Sheila took all of this in her stride, with empathy and encouragement. She was a brilliant and responsible role model who was trusted by staff, Workawayers and residents.
Despite helping at a difficult time, Sheila brought good humour and fun to the role - essential at this time! We would highly recommend her for Workawayer roles, particularly those that involve people and communication, which she excelled at. She will be much missed!
(Excellent)
29 Mar 2021
Left by Workawayer (Sheila) for host
I stayed at the City Community for 6 months and it was an amazing experience. Everyone is so nice there and even if the work with the residents can get a bit tough sometimes, you can alway be sure that you get support from staff and the other Workawayers. I was really sad when my placement was over but I will definitely come back and visit the… read more community as soon as the covid rules allow it.
Also Edinburgh is just amazing. There are lots of coffeeshops, pups, restaurants, secondhandshops, parcs and then it's right next to the sea.
Even though the working hours were quite a lot, we had a lot of time to discover the City and nature arround Edinburgh. Also the work was really easy and fun most of the time. Our main jobs were cleaning the house, supporting the residents (mostly just by listening), cooking together, doing the shopping or just playing games with residents and making movienights or playing basketball at the parc.
I can just recommend to everyone to go there and experience the life in this amazing community!
Thanks for everything to everyone there:):)
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
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Please note due to the UK leaving the EU, freedom of movement from the EU to the UK ended on 1st Jan 2021. If you are not a UK citizen, Irish citizen, settled status holder, Commonwealth citizen with the right to abode in the UK, BNO passport holder with valid visa or have a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme (working holiday) visa and you are entering the UK to work or study you may be refused entry to the UK after Jan 1st 2021 unless you have the correct visas and permits in place. To find out more information about visas and work permits for your nationality you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
