Jamie & Maddie

Travel information

We are currently

Activities we are interested in:

Surfing
Skateboarding
Running
Hiking
Farming/gardening
Cooking

Description

Myself (Jamie) and Maddie are constantly on the chase to be outside. Environmentalists by profession. We take most of enjoyment from the coast, mountains, but in any place or climate love to push ourselves outside our comfort zones both in our sports and day-to-day tasks. We're early risers, who like to squeeze every second out of the day, but thrive most in groups and motivated most when thrown in the deep end of a project.

I have worked across different areas of sustainability, from renewable energy to nutrition. I hold a masters in climate change, and have worked overseas on island conservation projects. Maddie, holding a marine biology degree, works in nature recovery as a Ranger, working with everyone from kids to farmers on biodiversity protection and land management, and is a great content creator - managing social media and marketing for @veyseloil, an organic and sustainable olive oil company. Both of us are keen surfers, with Maddie ISA level 1 instructor qualified, and myself a snowboard instructor. We're both very into fitness, from running and swimming to weightlifting and gymnastics. We are curious about the connection between food and the natural environment, particularly how plants support health, recovery, and performance. We are looking for ways to share knowledge and support people growing their own food/restoring their land.

We are versatile, reliable and live to learn from new groups, cultures and foods. We love hands on work, and can open discussions about different areas of climate change including personal routes to action. Maddie is much more arty than me however, and can always find something creative to add to a place.

We have lived, worked and volunteered all over. From Albania to Seychelles, Oregon to North Wales, and now India. We are comfortable quickly adapting to a new place and routine. Maybe our most applicable skills for many hosts is our farm experience on our friend’s olive groves where we support the seasonal harvest every year, with long physical days. Also, any content creation/filming/photography.

We always have the urge to be in remote places and meet new people to experience their ways of living. The busier we are and more we can move, help, and get involved, the better and more at home we feel.

Interests

Pets

Languages

Photography

Plant care

Animals

Charity work

Hitchhiking

Self development

Yoga / Wellness

Winter sports

Water sports

Vegetarian or vegan

Team sports

Sustainability

Outdoor activities

Nature

Music

Mountain

Hiking

Gardening

Fitness

Farming

Cooking & food

Beach

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I (Jamie) have been learning French on Babble (a phone app) for around three years. This has given me and moderate understanding of reading and writing french. I'm still far away from being confident speaking French, but want to get there, and know this comes with being surrounded by those who speak it. Any small lesson structure or general support would be huge to me, as i've never had in-person lessons!

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Languages

Life at a Farmstay

DIY and building projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Charity Work

Art Projects

Being an elderly companion

Gardening

Animal Care

Helping around the house

General Maintenance

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Able to teach about:  

Eco Projects

Teaching

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Hospitality/Tourism

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

- Through past roles in the UK and overseas, we share over 10 years experience in hospitality and tourism, from lifeguarding, child care, event production, bar and cafe work and as chefs. Maddie loves being given a colourful DIY project, whilst I am always looking to make something out of nothing. This is reflected in our cooking, with both of us keen to use few and new ingredients to make a meal. We love speciality coffee and recently did a refresher barista course in India.

- We have experience farming from Europe to India, both hands on gardening work and animal care, as well as bringing new ideas to diversify projects. We are interested in the effort and time it takes to grow crops, and like to play a part in that.

- social media marketing skills gained from time and running different accounts in conservation and food- both reel making (maddie) and photography (me). We know what filming sticks.

- Through university and work, we have experience in teaching various areas of sustainability to all ages, and are keen to help with any eco projects, whether that's at hostels or farms creating, public speaking, computer softwares, writing or just encouraging people to find ways to be more environmentally friendly. Specifically, my knowledge lies in food and energy transitions, whilst Maddie's marine protection and biodiversity conservation. We strive to be good communicators, are supportive, and can motivate others well.

Age

28 & 25

What else ...

We're both mad about our fitness, and regularly participate in weightlifting, CrossFit and general functional training, sometimes competitively. Maddie is a keen swimmer and all round water baby, being a qualified swim teacher and surf instructor. Despite surfing regularly myself, I prefer running, and have been skateboarding and snowboarding on and off since 8 years old. Sometimes we can't sit still, and always learning new ways to move.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian