Sean

United Kingdom
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Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
Hi! I am Sean, a retired PR and marketing consultant based in the lovely city of Norwich, UK. I am married to Julie, who is a researcher in social work at the University here in Norwich. Between us we have 6 grown up children and one grandchild.

I now have more time on my hands for exploring the world and meeting people. I prefer to have something purposeful/helpful to do when I travel, hence joining Workaway. I am interested in community living and would like to explore that more deeply. I get on well with people and try to bring lightness and humour into everything I do.

I have extensive experience of household maintenance, DIY and gardening. I am very practical with my hands and don't mid rolling my sleeves up and getting "stuck in". This includes carpentry, plumbing and basic electrical work . I am focused when I work and do not require constant management!

I am also a CELTA-qualified English language teacher, with 5+ years' experience working with refugees and asylum seekers here in Norwich.

My professional expertise is in marketing, especially PR, and I am happy to make 30+ years of experience available to hosts. I had a successful business career, including as the owner and CEO of my own PR agency in London. This included strategy and planning, as well as content creation for websites, blogs, etc.

I graduated in early modern history (a long time ago now) and remain very interested in the subject. I speak good German, some French and basic Italian, and I have travelled extensively - Europe, South Asia, North America. I am therefore comfortable in new situations with new people.

My hobbies are gardening, DIY, cooking, cycling, walking, reading and music (listening to and I am trying to learn the melodeon).
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Writing
Technology
Sustainability
Sailing / Boating
Politics / Social justice
Nature
Outdoor activities
Music
Mountain
Languages
Farming
Fitness
Gardening
Hiking
History
Events & social
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Cycling
Culture
Books
Camping
Carpentry
Charity work
Cooking & food
Beach
Art & design
Architecture
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Italian: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I am a CELTA qualified ESL teacher
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Life at a Farmstay
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Eco Projects
Charity Work
Able to teach about:
Languages
Teaching
More details about your skills
I speak several languages (German, French, Italian) and am a CELTA qualified English teacher.
After several decades as a PR and marketing consultant, I can offer advice on strategy for business and charities.
I have written a lot of content for websites and blogs, etc. , over the years.
I love gardening.
I can research topics quickly and focus on outcomes.
Age
66
What else ...
I enjoy cooking - I am vegetarian
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian

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15 Jan 2025

Left by host (Help our Buddhist community ...) for Workawayer ()

Sean was with us for a few weeks in the autumn and was an excellent community member, sensitive, conscientious and hardworking. We'd would definitely welcome him back.
He did a range of different tasks from working on the land to decorating, he was professional, skilled, receptive and able to respond intelligently to whatever was needed in the… read more

(Excellent )

2 Dec 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help our Buddhist community ...)

I stayed here for 2 weeks in November 2024 and had an extraordinarily memorable and rewarding time - one of the most positive experiences of my life.

I chose this place as I enjoy physical work and have worked on house restoration and DIY maintenance over many years, although not on a professional basis. I am also a practicing Buddhist and… read more wanted the opportunity to live in a community and the chance to deepen my practice. It has been many decades since I last stayed in a community and I was a bit apprehensive about it, but I had a great time and gained (and hopefully offered) an incredible amount. My age was not an issue (I was a bit apprehensive about that too!) - it seems it is well used to, and encourages, older visitors. The residents (about ten people) are very kind and welcoming and help Workawayers (there were about 6 of us while I was there) to find their feet quickly.

As far as the work goes, I enjoyed the tasks I was given and felt I made a useful contribution to the community in the short time I was there. What was more surprising was the spiritual impact on me of the stay, which was profound. I tend to be a private person and living in a community challenges that. There is plenty of scope to be private here, but there is also the opportunity to get to know people who are open to deeper connections. The short daily talks on Buddhist practice by the community leader are very insightful, funny, inspiring. Daily meditation in a group (not compulsory) is an opportunity to deepen practice and while I was there we were very fortunate to be offered a meditation workshop (theoretical and practical) that I found incredibly helpful.

In terms of what you do each day, there is a 40 minute meditation at 7.30am, followed by breakfast (help yourself from muesli and toast). Silence is observed until 9am, when there is a morning meeting when you say how you are feeling at that moment, discuss community issues and get allocated work tasks. Work starts at 10, tea break at 11.30, lunch at 1.15 until 2.15, another tea break mid afternoon before work finishes at 5pm. A shorter meditation (30 mins) at 5:30 until dinner at 6pm. There is usually something arranged in the evening at 7.30 as either entertainment or as a chance to discuss Buddhist practice.

The project is massive - restoration of a large country house that was allowed to fall into deep neglect. I was involved in a couple of decoration tasks that included filling, sanding and painting. These are things I'm comfortable with but one of the core team has extensive professional decorating experience and is available for guidance.

The large walled garden is very beautiful and produces a lot of the food eaten by the community. Although I was on a different work group, everyone is asked to spend at least an hour working in the garden per week. Lunch and dinner are prepared by 2 people and there is a washing up rota - you sign up for 1 lunchtime and 1 dinner per week. It all works very smoothly and the vegan food is great. There is also an admin team if your skills tend more in that direction.

Would I recommend a visit? Absolutely. Wonderful people sharing a beautiful vision, with opportunities to learn and grow. If you are prepared to work reliably and open yourself to new experiences, you have a lot to gain from a visit to this place.

(Excellent )