Alana

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi! I'm Alana and I'm 25 from Northern Ireland.

I have been feeling a strong pull to travel and get out of my routine I would like to build connections with people & learn new skills.

During the last year I have been exploring as much of Ireland as I can between work and commitments. I would like to connect more with the land that I have grown up on. I have been learning Gaeilge and would love to volunteer with someone who can help me practice! I'd also like to learn new skills like carpentry or stone wall building (I think I just want to make something with my hands that we can admire after!).

I am very passionate about gardening & vegetable farming, I'm drawn to eco-projects and smallholdings where I can get dirt under my nails. I have knowledge on plants and enjoy practicing herbal medicine and foraging. I am quite a holistic person but can strike a good balance.

Really what I want above most is to grow as a person, meet people and grow spiritually. It would be amazing to do this while travelling and helping people.

In my free time I have also been enjoying knitting, Bodhrán, going to the gym and reading romance novels by Emily Henry (I try so hard to read educational books but nothing keeps me hooked like a good romance!). I'm interested in everything to do with arts & crafts but I can't say I'm very good at them!

Last year was very busy for me & I'm still feeling the winter so if you are offering more of a retreat or live in a secluded area (especially if you are surrounded by wildlife) please don't be put off at my willingness to socialise. I am drawn to peaceful areas and can enjoy my own company. I appreciate any time to relax my nervous system and am happy to work away at tasks independantly (I find it meditative). I'm also a very responsible, mature and honest person and I like to keep my living area clean.

Please note! I have a very well behaved cat named Eli, he is a gentle soul & I think you will love him as well, he is full of personality. For most of the volunteering oppourtunities I apply to I will be hoping to bring him along with me (which I will mention to you). He is up-to-date with his vaccines (including his rabies vaccine), vet appointments and flea & worming treatments.

* I have a car & am looking for workways of about a month

Interests

Sustainability

Pets

Van life

Self development

Farming

Cooking & food

Gardening

Plant care

Books

DIY & crafts

Animals

Hiking

Outdoor activities

Sailing / Boating

Yoga / Wellness

Fitness

Nature

Mountain

Camping

Dancing

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Irish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

Find a language partner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Being an elderly companion

Art Projects

DIY and building projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Animal Care

House & pet sitting

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Able to teach about:  

Gardening

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

Gardening, Herbalism, Foraging

Gardener- 1 year
Worked in an award winning garden in Northern Ireland with staff & apprentices who have all readily shared their knowledge and experience with me. I have the ability to work on tasks alone or as part of a team and can safely operate tools and equipment. I have experience in raising plants from seeds and cuttings, planting, pruning, weeding, tidying overgrown trees and maintaining flower beds, paths and borders. Working in the garden has taught me the importance of paying attention to details including the aesthetics of the garden and making sure that jobs are completed thoroughly.

(April 2023-September 2023) Before the walled garden I volunteered at an Organic Farm. I have a passion for working outdoors and enjoyed the feeling of achievement and satisfaction that came with physically challenging & labour intensive work. I developed knowledge on food production and maintaining the health of crops and the soil, part of this was learning about biological control. I'm very passionate about food and health and there is something indescribably soul nourishing about being part of a farming community.

I volunteered at Assisi animal sanctuary 2010-2019 (age 10-19) helping with animal care and fostering kittens, I then stopped to focus on school. I was their youngest volunteer and my Nana came and supervised me for the first few years. This was an amazing opportunity, I was very lucky.

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I have worked as a call centre operative talking to anyone and everyone! It is a family ownded buisness & I have worked there for 5 years on and off. My team leader often commented on how my calls are too long because "You go above and beyond to help people"

Age

25

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  No

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  Special dietary requirements
  No, but I have lived as a vegan so am happy to eat plant based meals