Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Active, vegan, animal lover, adventurer.
On the road since 2019, focusing on slow, meaningful travel.My next destination:
Australia View all
Description
Hi! I’m Ellie, 25, from England and have been on the road since graduating uni in 2019 (essentially just avoiding serious adult life!). My first stop was Germany, to improve my language skills, but since then I’ve hopped about all over Europe volunteering in many different places – primarily animal shelters and sanctuaries.
I’m currently in Australia, planning to travel about and volunteer with my boyfriend, Cam (see connected workaway profile), and his dog, Chedz. She’s an easy-going rescue dog and is very used to being around different people and many animals.
Working with animals is where I have most experience and interest, but I’ve also done a big mix of other workaway projects – eg, building mud houses in Bulgaria, au pairing for young kids in an un-schooling family in Germany, working on an organic vegetable farm in Turkey and clearing land in France. I find it particularly valuable to work in community-based settings with other like-minded people, but I am very laid back and always adapt easily. I am passionate about living a well-balanced, vegan lifestyle, but I’m open to everything and always keen to learn.
Interests
Van lifeVegetarian or veganSustainabilityNatureHitchhikingFitnessHikingCyclingAnimalsAdventure sportsOutdoor activitiesPetsPhotography
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: IntermediateMore details about my language interests
Always keen to practice German - and happy to help with your English too of course!
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Charity Work
Languages
Teaching
Hospitality/Tourism
More details about your skills
I come from a big family and am therefore used to a noisy, happy, full house – be that with kids, animals or just a large community of volunteers. From dogs and cats to squirrels and degus, I have grown up around animals at home and am not at all afraid of getting stuck in and helping out. I also have lots of experience with children (including those with additional needs) from volunteering at children’s summer camps in Germany when I was still a student.
Skills-wise I’ve done a bit of everything along the way with Workaway. I love being outdoors doing physical work and am quick to adapt to different environments and pick up new skills. My degree is in Microbiology, though I’m yet to use it... For now I’m perfectly content travelling about and have since become an ambassador and freelance writer for Workaway.
Age
26
What else ...
Currently in Australia (WA) travelling and workawaying in our campervan :)
https://www.instagram.com/ellie__larkins/
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
NoSpecial dietary requirements
Vegan
Feedback
26 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Animal lovers welcome on our ...)
I spent a couple of months volunteering with my boyfriend and our dog over summer this year. If you have a little bit of experience with animals already I think this is a great place for you to get stuck in and help out with the daily care of a big mixture of rescued farm animals – including pigs, sheep, alpacas and cows. Once you know the routine… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Registered animal sanctuary ...)
We've just spent 2 lovely months at this peaceful sanctuary near Toodyay and thoroughly enjoyed working with their beautiful assortment of animals. Seeing the sunsets and stars each night was really special, as well as sitting out watching the wild kangaroos hopping through the animal paddocks and next to our caravan every evening.
Compared to… read more
Compared to… read more
(Very good
)
9 Jan 2024
Left by host (Registered animal sanctuary ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
We loved having Ellie and Cam stay with us. Cheds their dog made us smile everyday. Between Ellie and Cam, they had so much experience in Sanctuaries and we really valued their input and knowledge. Their hard work and contributions on a daily basic was greatly appreciated and they were always so lovely to be around.
They are very missed and we… read more
They are very missed and we… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Nov 2022
Left by host (Animal sanctuary and ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie is a wonderful girl! I wish her so much to come here again! She helping so much with everything and have the eye to see what is important for animals and and property - she will make you happy with her suggestions. She is nice company for animals and humans. She is responsible and you can count on her every time. She will improve your… read more
(Excellent
)
27 Oct 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Animal sanctuary and ...)
My stay with Zjelka and her family of animals was an inspiring experience. To see all the animals living together with no fences or boundaries separating them was incredible. Watching them all interact with each other on the sunny hill or down by the river was so calming. Zjelka really has created a special place here in Daruvar. But she… read more
(Excellent
)
Friends
Photos
Feedback
26 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Animal lovers welcome on our ...)
I spent a couple of months volunteering with my boyfriend and our dog over summer this year. If you have a little bit of experience with animals already I think this is a great place for you to get stuck in and help out with the daily care of a big mixture of rescued farm animals – including pigs, sheep, alpacas and cows. Once you know the routine… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Jan 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Registered animal sanctuary ...)
We've just spent 2 lovely months at this peaceful sanctuary near Toodyay and thoroughly enjoyed working with their beautiful assortment of animals. Seeing the sunsets and stars each night was really special, as well as sitting out watching the wild kangaroos hopping through the animal paddocks and next to our caravan every evening.
Compared to… read more
Compared to… read more
(Very good
)
9 Jan 2024
Left by host (Registered animal sanctuary ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
We loved having Ellie and Cam stay with us. Cheds their dog made us smile everyday. Between Ellie and Cam, they had so much experience in Sanctuaries and we really valued their input and knowledge. Their hard work and contributions on a daily basic was greatly appreciated and they were always so lovely to be around.
They are very missed and we… read more
They are very missed and we… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Nov 2022
Left by host (Animal sanctuary and ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie is a wonderful girl! I wish her so much to come here again! She helping so much with everything and have the eye to see what is important for animals and and property - she will make you happy with her suggestions. She is nice company for animals and humans. She is responsible and you can count on her every time. She will improve your… read more
(Excellent
)
27 Oct 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Animal sanctuary and ...)
My stay with Zjelka and her family of animals was an inspiring experience. To see all the animals living together with no fences or boundaries separating them was incredible. Watching them all interact with each other on the sunny hill or down by the river was so calming. Zjelka really has created a special place here in Daruvar. But she… read more
(Excellent
)
29 Sep 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help out on our quaint rescue ...)
Not sure why I didn't leave feedback sooner - sorry! But this was an incredible place to spend most of 2021. I arrived just looking for somewhere peaceful to spend time with beautiful animals and other volunteers, but it became my second home and I can't wait to visit again soon. I learned more than I could have expected here and of course also… read more
(Excellent
)
13 Nov 2021
Left by host (Help out on our quaint rescue ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie has been at the farm for 9 months, and very quickly became a member of the family and such a treasured workawayer here.
The bonds Ellie has formed with the pigs and other animals here have been a pleasure to watch grow. A very special mention to the friendship she had with Aoife, a land race pig who definitely favoured Ellie!
We could not… read more
The bonds Ellie has formed with the pigs and other animals here have been a pleasure to watch grow. A very special mention to the friendship she had with Aoife, a land race pig who definitely favoured Ellie!
We could not… read more
(Excellent
)
10 Sep 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help us at our vegan animal ...)
I had a lovely short stay here with David, Ria and Aurora. They are such a laid-back and down to earth family and their connection with the animals is very special. It's the perfect place to just be present and connect to nature and beautiful furry friends :) thank you for having us to stay, hopefully see you again one day!
PS - don't get eaten by… read more
PS - don't get eaten by… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Sep 2022
Left by host (Gardening, mud building and ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie came as a last minute volunteer just when I needed some extra help doing a load of repairs and renovation on an old mud property. She worked hard in the hot sun and was very brave with the hornet's nest.
A great volunteer and good worker, thanks.
A great volunteer and good worker, thanks.
(Excellent
)
31 Aug 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Gardening, mud building and ...)
We only stayed a short period with Kathy, but we learned a lot and really enjoyed working as a team on the current construction project. Mud is messy, of course; but just go with it and you'll have fun and enjoy the natural, outdoor work.
Kathy always cooked us delicious food and the volunteers have their own house in the village. So there's a… read more
Kathy always cooked us delicious food and the volunteers have their own house in the village. So there's a… read more
(Excellent
)
25 Jul 2022
Left by host (Enthusiastic people welcome ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
It was a pleasure to know Ellie. She had great relations with others. I am always delighted to meet such a lovely person. Don't be hesitated before accepting her to your place. Thank you for your contribution. Hope to see you back.
(Excellent
)
22 Jul 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Enthusiastic people welcome ...)
Burak's farm is a special environment. With a good group of fellow volunteers, you can really have a perfect balance of work, fun and adventure! The farm itself is pretty isolated, but there's plenty of nature to explore nearby, plus buses to larger cities, such as Istanbul, for weekend trips are easy to catch.
The work schedule at the farm is… read more
The work schedule at the farm is… read more
(Excellent
)
6 May 2022
Left by host (Help at a dog sanctuary near ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
It was an absolute pleasure to host Ellie and nothing was too much trouble.
She was brilliant at picking up the tasks instantly and her love and affection for the dogs was amazing. She was only here for a short time but achieved so much and never stopped working. She used her initiative and just got on with things without having to be asked. It… read more
She was brilliant at picking up the tasks instantly and her love and affection for the dogs was amazing. She was only here for a short time but achieved so much and never stopped working. She used her initiative and just got on with things without having to be asked. It… read more
(Excellent
)
4 May 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help at a dog sanctuary near ...)
I stayed just a very short period with Helen (due to my own plans), but I had a wonderful experience and the opportunity to really get stuck into working with the dogs. There is such a range of different dogs there in the rescue shelter - small, big, noisy and quiet - so many different, fun characters to spend time with if you are a dog lover like… read more
(Excellent
)
26 Jan 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help with our hobbyfarm in ...)
I didn't stay long here so I'd only just settled into the daily life when it was time to leave again - thank you for accommodating me for just a couple of weeks at short notice. I will miss the animals anyway; they don't take long to get to know. The 3 dogs are great fun and the little lambs and their mamas are incredibly affectionate when you… read more
(Good
)
12 Aug 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie had been a good helper here, in a period of lot of work to do in the kitchen garden.
She never complained about the job and she completed all the tasks in a good and fast way.
She really loves animals and she demonstrate it with ours too, expecially with Izzie and Micia.
If you are searching a person to take care of your animals she is the… read more
She never complained about the job and she completed all the tasks in a good and fast way.
She really loves animals and she demonstrate it with ours too, expecially with Izzie and Micia.
If you are searching a person to take care of your animals she is the… read more
(Excellent
)
4 Jul 2021
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help us with our kitchen ...)
Our stay with Erica and Emy was a great social and cultural exchange. They were so generous and welcoming, we felt really comfortable living with them. We had our own private bedroom and bathroom, which is perfect for Workawayers – but we also socialised and ate together very often. In our spare time Erica and Emy gave us lots of suggestions about… read more
(Excellent
)
26 Jan 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie is an overall great volunteer. Fast to understand everything and quick to offer her help. Besides the work with the animals, she cooked delicious meals for all of us. And Ellie also bonded very well with Stevie, our pig! We highly recommend receiving Ellie as a volunteer!
(Excellent
)
20 Jan 2021
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Care for rescued farm animals ...)
Five weeks at the project flew by! Taking care of all the animals (donkeys, horses, a pig and a dog) was really quite chaotic at times. But the large number of volunteers there made the work manageable and fun - we really got to know each other well and had a fab time working and hanging out together.
The work here follows roughly the same routine… read more
The work here follows roughly the same routine… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Dec 2020
Left by host (Come and join us at our ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie came and stayed with us for 2 weeks, it was a rainy time but she was out there in the rain helping. An excellent cook and fun easy going person you will be glad to have around.
We have been very lucky to have such great volunteers, Ellie and Lucas were definitely a pair of them 👍 thanks for all your help 👍
We have been very lucky to have such great volunteers, Ellie and Lucas were definitely a pair of them 👍 thanks for all your help 👍
(Excellent
)
11 Dec 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Come and join us at our ...)
We spent a fun couple of weeks here. Well-structured working days; two awesome dogs; nice communal mealtimes (from a well-stocked, vegan-friendly kitchen!); lots of laughter with the hosts and other volunteers; and plenty to explore in our free time. Ellis and Camilla are very friendly and down to earth. You can take part in Camilla's morning yoga… read more
(Excellent
)
1 Dec 2020
Left by host (Help in the garden, ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
When Ellie and Lukas applied to volunteer at our place they wanted to help with the olive harvest and we were looking forward to them helping. In the end the olives were faster, so there was only one day left to pick. But we had started an unexpected building project before they came - and even though it was quite hard and dusty they stepped in… read more
(Excellent
)
24 Nov 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help in the garden, ...)
Our time here was really great. The atmosphere was always positive - from morning to evening, both on working days and during free time. It felt very much like being part of a small family or community - always people around to work with, chat to, play games with, watch a film with or just have a laugh with.
The work was varied, both weather and… read more
The work was varied, both weather and… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Nov 2020
Left by host (Join and help us in our ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Lucas and Ellie stayed a little over 3 weeks with us and we shared such good times ! Always keen on doing one job or another, they are young friendly guys, working hard on every project given to them...
Lucas, helped by the team, provided the roof we were waiting for to our wooden house, thanks so much to him, to them !
He drived a mini-digger or… read more
Lucas, helped by the team, provided the roof we were waiting for to our wooden house, thanks so much to him, to them !
He drived a mini-digger or… read more
(Excellent
)
6 Nov 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Join and help us in our ...)
I spent the last few weeks here with Emmanuelle and a few other volunteers and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. To be part of such a hard working team was very rewarding; we achieved a lot in quite a short space of time, though there's always more to be done of course... Emmanuelle was as much a part of the team as any of us - her enthusiasm is… read more
(Excellent
)
10 Nov 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie And Lukas are top shelf workaway volunteers.
they are an asset to any situation.If any Host Has a request from them, then do not hesitate to accept, Good Luck Mates , please drop in any time you are this way,
Best Wishes ,
Alan&Sheila xxxx
they are an asset to any situation.If any Host Has a request from them, then do not hesitate to accept, Good Luck Mates , please drop in any time you are this way,
Best Wishes ,
Alan&Sheila xxxx
(Excellent
)
12 Oct 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help us around our rural ...)
We spent a heart-warming week with Alan and Sheila and couldn't have asked for it any better. Such a down to earth and caring couple, it felt like home after just one day. Working hours and tasks were generally discussed the night before so there was never any confusion. And the work was varied but nothing too complicated or demanding - little… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Oct 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Interesting projects at our ...)
I somehow forgot to write this review sooner with it being such a hectic time to travel right now, but that doesn't detract from how warm, friendly and enjoyable my time here was. I visited with a friend for 2 weeks in the run up to the health centre's planned opening dates, which meant there was lots of little jobs to get done and so ensuring we… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Oct 2020
Left by host (Interesting projects at our ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
24 august Till 9 september,
Elly was togehter with her friend Lucas, they worked soo good as a team! We had mostly painting job but they really delivered some stunning white walls ;-)!
Nice and social in the group and so kind to the children! We loved having her and Lucas.
Always welcome back!
Elly was togehter with her friend Lucas, they worked soo good as a team! We had mostly painting job but they really delivered some stunning white walls ;-)!
Nice and social in the group and so kind to the children! We loved having her and Lucas.
Always welcome back!
(Excellent
)
24 Aug 2020
Left by host (Help us on our farm and care ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie was an absolute enrichment for the farm. Her amazing sense of humor got us some fun evenings. She is absolutely up to hard work and lovely with the animals. Also is she willing to learn new things and happy to give everything a try. She even drove the Traktor and the digger. Everyone can count himself happy to have this girl. We'll be happy… read more
(Excellent
)
30 Jul 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Help us on our farm and care ...)
Albeit unplanned, spending the Corona lockdown here at Emanuel's farm turned out for the best. The longer stay (approx. March - July 2020) gave me time to really get to know the farm, the animals, the regular helpers and many other Workawayers too. This wouldn't be somewhere I'd want to volunteer on my own, but with quite a large of group of… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Jul 2020
Left by host (Join our farm and help us ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Elli stayed at my little horsefarm for a couple of weeks and she was a great help! She is a quick learner, she saw the work who needed to be done without asking and she was really gentle to my horses, goats, pigs, dogs and specially to my foster dog. She took him always for long walks and gave him a lot of love!
Ellie is a very polite and… read more
Ellie is a very polite and… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Jul 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Join our farm and help us ...)
I felt very quickly at home when Kathi and Alex welcomed me to their farm. With horses, dogs, goats and pigs, as well as many friendly faces often about the place, it didn’t take long to slip into the daily routine here and feel comfortable. The routine itself is repetitive – essentially mucking out and moving the horses between indoor and outdoor… read more
(Excellent
)
21 Jun 2020
Left by host (Join us in our little ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
dear ellie,
it was so pleasant and comfortable to have you stay here with us.
thanks for all the small steps and works, for all the millions of dishes you washed, for being there when i needed a hand.
wonderful how you grew and developed to a self confident babysitter for the small and bigger ones.
we wish you so much a enjoyable journey and… read more
it was so pleasant and comfortable to have you stay here with us.
thanks for all the small steps and works, for all the millions of dishes you washed, for being there when i needed a hand.
wonderful how you grew and developed to a self confident babysitter for the small and bigger ones.
we wish you so much a enjoyable journey and… read more
(Excellent
)
19 Jun 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Join us in our little ...)
I am so grateful for the time I spent here. The weeks flew by and it was really relaxing to adapt and fit into the family’s lovely, calm way of life. Of course, with babies and young children there is always something going on, but that made my stay more fun! The setting was beautiful – directly at the edge of a lovely forest, which was perfect… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Jun 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Live with a vegan unschooling ...)
Staying with Jenny and the boys was wonderful – they are such an open, welcoming and caring family, I don’t think I’ll ever experience the same generosity again! What a way to start my Workaway travels. Getting to know the boys and seeing them gradually gain trust and confidence, slowly wanting to play more and more with me, was so valuable and… read more
(Excellent
)
26 May 2020
Left by host (Live with a vegan unschooling ...) for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie stayed around 5 month with us (october 2019 to february 2020).
It was such a nice time with her and we all didn’t want to let her go.
Officially Ellie helped us from morning to lunch (mo-fr). Very often she stayed and helped also in the afternoon or at the weekends because she said she likes being around people and around us, which was… read more
It was such a nice time with her and we all didn’t want to let her go.
Officially Ellie helped us from morning to lunch (mo-fr). Very often she stayed and helped also in the afternoon or at the weekends because she said she likes being around people and around us, which was… read more
(Excellent
)
14 May 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Ellie)
Ellie was a great help to our shelter. She is a person who puts a lot of effort into everything she does. In addition to that, she is a person who is available to help in whatever is necessary and is also always ready to help in the face of unexpected events.
Ellie loves animals, our dogs really appreciated her patience and all the love she gave… read more
Ellie loves animals, our dogs really appreciated her patience and all the love she gave… read more
(Excellent
)
1 May 2020
Left by Workawayer (Ellie) for host
(Come help at our animal ...)
Working with Franco, Nelly and the Workaway volunteers here in Sicily was an unforgettable experience. We were dropped right into the midst of things from the very start, which is definitely challenging - but there's so much work to do and so many dogs to care for that it's the only way to do it. This place needs all the help it can get and your… read more
(Excellent
)
