Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Am travelling without a plan, currently in Buenos aries but will be leaving soon, likely to return to Uruguay for a little while, but also seeking volunteering opportunities.
Description
My name is Lee, I am from South London and for the past six and a half years have been working for one of the UK's biggest homeless charities, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society in regards to things like housing, health and immigration, amongst many other things.
I have a great passion for travel, to me the opportunities to learn, grow and develop that come alongside exploring new places, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures is so thoroughly rewarding. In August I started a year long sabbatical and have been traveling in South America since then.
I have split my time here between exploring some of the wonderful places of natural beauty and emerging myself in local communities through volunteering, one big goal for me was to learn Spanish, which is developing, although I do still have much to learn.
I am strongly driven by a curiosity about both the natural world society, I strive to see beyond socially constructed notions of boarders, as I approach the end of this trip I am seeking another volunteering opportunity that will give me opportunity to learn and develop my skills, experiences and knowledge.
Interests
Writing
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Sailing / Boating
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Plant care
Nature
Outdoor activities
Music
Mountain
Hitchhiking
Languages
LGBTQ
History
Hiking
Gardening
Farming
Events & social
DIY & crafts
Cycling
Culture
Charity work
Cooking & food
Books
Carpentry
Camping
Astronomy
Beach
Animals
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
One big motivation behind my choosing to travel in South America was the desire to learn Spanish, to a level adequate to be able to use it efficiently and to have free flowing conversations. I have developed this a lot over that past six months, and generally can have conversations and make a point understood, although I do still have some way to go before it is fluent, I am happy to support others with their English too.
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
Charity Work
Languages
Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Life at a Farmstay
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
General Maintenance
Helping with Computers/ Internet
House sitting
Teaching
Babysitting and creative play
More details about your skills
My regular work, for a homeless charity, has provided me with a lot of experience in support some of the most vulnerable people in society with various issues they face, not only with their housing needs but also issues linked with immigration support, both mental and physical health conditions, it involves a lot of strategising, safety planning and risk assessing, as well as responding to situations and emergencies, sometimes life threatening, as they arise.
I am a good problem solver and a fast learner which allows me to be able to successfully work in a variety of environments. I have experience, through my volunteering of working on organic allotment sites, which has included tasks such as sowing, weeding, harvesting, creating fertiliser as well as some construction of things such as raised beds for growing food in, rain water irrigation systems and seating / storage areas.
In London I have also volunteered in other projects with a variety of aims including providing advice, support and advocacy to migrants, outreach work providing food to rough sleepers, I have worked in a food redistribution warehouse, supplying surplus food,that would otherwise be thrown away, to various charities, both as a volunteer and as a coordinator, I have volunteered on two allotment sites that were growing food for a food bank supporting refugees, one was also a collaboration with a young offenders aiming to support them to gain skills to lead them towards lives away from crime, through these i have also gained some construction experience.
I spent a little over two months of this trip living and volunteering on farms in Chiloe, which have expanded my knowledge and experience of gardening, cultivating and construction.
Abroad I have worked and lived in France for a year, managing a social mobilisation program for vulnerable people, providing opportunities for them to socialise, build skills and experience new things and places. I spent some time in Cambodia, teaching English as a second language in a orphanage and also worked in an animal rescue sanctuary in Ecuador. This involved not only caring for the animals welfare, such as feeding and cleaning but also general park maintenance, grass cutting, tree planting as well as construction work of new cages and also tour guide.
Age
37
What else ...
My biggest passion is for travel, see as much as possible of this wonderful world, to learn about different cultures and ways of living. I enjoy many types of music and like to watch it live, when indoors I like playing games, board, cards and dice type games rather than computer. I love cooking, usually making things up as I go, and would love to share this while also learning new skills
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
Special dietary requirements
Photos
