Jonti & Jo

United Kingdom
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At home
We are currently working on our own renovation in Central France. We are starting an inclusive arts centre, and are very keen to connect with other cultural and creative projects in Europe.
Description
Hi- we are Jonti and Jo and we've known each other since we were 21, and been good friends our whole lives. We are both now creative directors of The Ministry of Making, in Central France .
You can look us and our work up on The Ministry of Making website.
We love to take time out, and visit other people and projects. We love supporting others and, since we welcome volunteers here in The Auvergne, you can be sure that we are aware of how to BE volunteers.
We're positive, happy and can work under direction, or be totally self directed, as suits you.
We are self sufficient, and can amuse ourselves, whilst also really enjoying making new friends, and happy to provide music evenings on occasion, as Jonti plays Mandolin, and Jo sings.
We love balance, harmony and good will.

We have both been teachers for nearly 30 years, Jonti as an English teacher, Head of English, then Head of Drama, and an ex-Headmaster.
Jo has worked as an artist in residence in schools for over 25 years, supporting young people's leadership and the management of change through the arts.
Neither of us was ever a "conventional" teacher. We both believe in supporting children to think their own thoughts, and become powerful and creative on their own terms.
Between us, we are parents of six fabulous children of our own, (now all grown adults), and we are very experienced at taking a parental role, ensuring that young people to feel safe and well cared for. We both have enhanced DBS clearance.

We are both keen enthusiastic workers, and have lots of experience with household tasks such as painting and decorating, and some household maintenance. Jonti can turn his hand to plumbing and (basic) electrics as well as simple repairs of appliances and IT/computer issues. Jo is a wizard with Photoshop, and loves gardening and decorating!
We both cook really well and love making meals for others. We also love to take on projects together, and can manage our time really well, with no need to be supervised. We both drive and have full, clean licences. We would bring our own car/van. We do not smoke and do not drink beyond the (very) occasional glass of wine or beer.
We're cheerful, happy people, and really love helping others, and we like to support good respectful terms with everyone.
Interests
Nature
Camping
Yoga / Wellness
Dancing
Van life
Gardening
Performing arts
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Writing
Books
Movies & TV
Music
Photography
Cooking & food
Vegetarian or vegan
LGBTQ
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Self development

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Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Language practice
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Art Projects
Teaching
More details about your skills
Jo is a printmaker, and also has some web design and graphic design skills. Jonti is a writer, so he can write copy, and is reasonably experienced with social media ( FB, Instagram, Twitter etc).
We both love painting, decorating and gardening, and have lots of experience through maintaining our own home. We really enjoy helping people find and develop their creativity through the arts: singing, drama and visual arts. Jo is a skilled feltmaker.
We're both resourceful, and very solution orientated, and can get on with things without the need for supervision.
Jonti is also pretty handy, and can fix things and help out in the house. He is a superb cook.
Jo also cooks really well.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
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.
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Age
60 & 60
What else ...
We are both avid readers. Jo is a maker and can turn her hand to most crafts. Jonti like to whittle & carve. He has been known to make flutes and whistles. We are both musicians. Jonti plays mandolin and Jo is a singer.
Jonti enjoys playing cards and word games like Scrabble.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  Jonti is a vegetarian-Jo eats everything except eggs ( not allergic).

Feedback

21/04/2021

Left by Workawayer (Jonti & Jo) for host for (Join our family and help us ...)

This adorable family gave us the most wonderful time. Everyone was very kind, generous and caring towards us. From the start communications were careful and thorough, beginning with a video call, and with good communications throughout. We felt so welcomed, and ended our 4 week stay feeling like neighbours.
Alannah managed our tasks with great… read more sensitivity and kindness. Always making sure that we were ok, and giving us things that were very achievable and suited to our abilities. Huge thanks to Alannah, a great support and manager, making sure that we had tools we needed, and always being on hand if required. We were able to work through our list of jobs at our own pace and schedule. Seton was so helpful in providing tools and being on hand to assist when he was at home.
We helped organise the storage areas, cleared some waste materials, made several trips to the dechetterie to dispose of household and garden waste , helped to start the development of "no-dig" raised "lasagne" beds, sealed a barn wall and then painted it with lime wash, helped to organise tools in the atelier, and clear the potting shed, repotted all the aloe vera's, sanded and oiled some outdoor furniture, collected 2 van-loads of manure from the local equestrian centre and my daughter, who was kindly invited for a weekend stay, painted some new directional signs for the Hamlet. We were also on hand to assist with chats about business ideas, and some online support. We were super happy to be flexible, and Sarah and the family were also very flexible and accommodating with us. That was lovely, and made for a very friendly and informal atmosphere.
I was also encouraged to run a textile arts workshop-which people seemed to enjoy on a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
We self catered for some of the time, and found everything that we needed, in our own kitchen area. At other times we were treated to a lovely meal by Sarah, or we occasionally cooked for the family ourselves, and enjoyed some lovely shared mealtimes. We were able to appreciate privacy and time to explore the area by ourselves. Sarah went out of her way to ensure that we were comfortable, and had all the things that we needed. We often came home to lovely gifts from Sarah, of wild asparagus, or an extra box of eggs.
The accommodation was absolutely lovely, in an idyllic peaceful place, which is very much like a retreat from the world, drinking clean spring water, having conversations with the chickens in the mornings, and walking the dogs occasionally in the early evening, if they agreed to accompany us, surrounded by the deep fragrance of honey from the early spring plants.
The valley is simply idyllic, as far from the crazy world as you would wish, being at the end of a country track and yet, if you have a car, or can get a lift, its just a short road trip to St Tropez, which was also surprisingly charming and unspoilt.
This placement is ideal for folks who love peace, nature and the beauty of wild lavender, fennel and mint (which grows in the streams), and working outdoors helping to organise. It was really fun, and a very healthy clean environment.
Sarah and family are the most generous folks that you could hope to meet, and we send all our kindest wishes and thanks to you all, for helping our winter be a warm one!

(Excellent )

10/04/2021

Left by Workawayer (Jonti & Jo) for host for (Join me and live near the ...)

We had a lovely month at Cavaliere, Le Lavandou. The accommodation is very private with stunning surroundings.
Our time was spent looking after Rachel: taking her down to the beautiful beach whenever the weather allowed (as Rachel does not drive), preparing the evening meal and popping in from time to time to check whether she needed shopping… read more etc, when we went out. We also helped prepare her room for the night, after dinner, making sure the shutters were closed, the lights turned off and everything secure, and placed as she needed it.
After driving Rachel out to see the sea in the morning, and spending a lovely time either walking along the beach alone, or chatting with her, we were at liberty to organise other tasks in our own time, and had long afternoons and early evenings to ourselves for exploring, before assisting in the evenings with some light cooking for Rachel’s dinner.
Other jobs included working in the beautiful Mediterranean garden, doing the weekly shopping on a Monday and nipping out to the Pharmacy or whatever as the need arose. All sensitively negotiated, and not at all demanding.
Our “duties” were very light and manageable. Rachel is very fun, and helpfully very clear about what is required. It’s possible to undertake any of the other gardening and maintenance tasks at your own pace, and at your own schedule
We shared meals around 4 times a week, and ate privately for the other 3 days.
We were happy to be available to assist for 7 days a week with preparing Rachel’s evening meal, and with short morning outings. Rachel has a lovely community of regular daily helpers, who live nearby, and are all very friendly and welcoming to us.
Rachel was able to arrange for extra help when we needed to take a night away for a visit, and also on another occasion when our car unexpectedly had to be recovered and repaired.
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The studio accommodation is very private indeed, with its own lovely shady exclusive terrace, and small Juliet balcony-ideal for sea and star gazing. An unexpected surprise was the walk up into the wild mountains behind the house, with wild lavender, aromatic herbs and cork oak. It would be possible to walk for hours here in the beautiful unspoilt mountains.
As we were mainly self-catering, we found the kitchen is equipped with everything you will need.
Whilst it was sunny during the day, the studio was lovely and warm as it was heated in the cooler evenings (during February).
It was really quite convenient as actually were able to enjoy plenty of time for ourselves, walking to the beach, relaxing in the small but perfectly appointed self-contained flat (the balcony has the most beautiful view over the sea) and exploring the countryside around.
We enjoyed our time with Rachel who is such an interesting person with a wealth of stories and who is good-natured, kind and fun.
Would we recommend this placement? Yes.
Would we go back? Yes. We hope to.

(Excellent )

06/03/2021

Left by host (Join me and live near the ...) for Workawayer (Jonti & Jo)

What can I say. These were one of the happiest times I have had. They are a charming couple, efficient, helpful, and good cookers and very good gardeners and in fact perfect and wonderful Workaway. I am very sorry that they had to leave and hope very much that they will be abe to return later in the year

(Excellent )

21/02/2021

Left by Workawayer (Jonti & Jo) for host for (Friendly Thai / English ...)

This was a fabulous experience. Nat looked after us beautifully, and spending time with Laeila gave us memories to treasure for ever. Laeila inspired me to start hand sewing again ( very calming and peaceful), and we spent lots of time together being creative, doing cooking, and ended most days playing in the waves on the stunning beach at Thong… read more

(Excellent )

20/02/2021

Left by host (Friendly Thai / English ...) for Workawayer (Jonti & Jo)

Jo and Jonti were an absolute blessing to have with us. They provided wonderful art, music and exploration sessions for our daughter including making a ukulele and indigo dying workshops! They slotted right in to island life and embraced the community and lifestyle. We greatly appreciated their amazing positive energy, total calmness and get stuck… read more

(Excellent )

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