Josie & Kevin

United Kingdom
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Profile information

Travel information
We are currently
Travelling
Description
Kevin retired from the police force a few years ago and we set off travelling, which also included volunteering.
Kevin has qualified in various general building work skills and has helped labour on many projects tuning his hand to most things. He also has a full HGV licence and has an interest in restoring classic motorbikes. He also gained his qualification in teaching English as a foreign language.
Josie worked in France at an equestrian and trekking centre for 8 years, gaining relevant qualifications and speaking fluent French.
She also had her own horse for 24 years enjoying eventing, dressage and natural horsemanship and has continued exercising horses since.
Josie worked as cabin crew on the airline, and as a detective in the police force. Josie now has her business in complementary therapies, including massage, reflexology, energy healing, including equine and animal healing. Josie teaches meditation, Reiki to master teacher level and is a qualified mindset and calm coach, has run retreats and is experienced working at all types of events and holding workshops.

We are both physically fit, where we enjoy walking, cycling, kayaking and going to the gym, I also enjoy horse riding, sea swimming and running.
We have previously volunteered at horse safari centres in Africa and Botswana, volunteered in Tanzania, Sri Lanka and France and other local projects. Our volunteering has included general building work, gardening, animal care, teaching English, children and complementary therapies.
Our passion is travelling and helping people, so after a few years out, looking after elderly family, we are back looking for opportunities.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Languages
More details about your skills
Josie; Horse care and management, riding, natural horsemandship.
Holistic therapies (as above)
French speaker
Customer service, retail, care, security.

Kevin; Retired police officer
General building work
Classic motorbikes.
HGV driver, class 1 and 2. experienced motorbike rider
Customer service and care, security.
Age
56 & 66
What else ...
Ideally we are looking for a placement to enhance my horse and/or holistic interests and Kevin is looking to use his skills inorder to help others having served so long in the police.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  0
- Special dietary requirements
  Josie is vegetarian.

Website Safety

Feedback

16 May 2025

Left by host (Join our small grassroots ...) for Workawayer ()

We were unable to be present in Mayreau during Kevin and Josie's stay, and so we arranged for a full and comprehensive handover to be conducted by an outgoing volunteer. It was only after Kevin and Josie left the island that we learned of the problems that they faced. There were indeed serious issues, including the unacceptable state of their… read more accommodation, and a handover which was clearly wholly inadequate. We are extremely sorry about this, and of course have apologised directly to them. That said, we were surprised and disappointed not to have been informed of their concerns during their stay. Throughout their short time with us, we made repeated efforts to check in with them to ensure that they were comfortable in their accommodation and that all was going well, but we received no response. Had we known, we would have acted immediately to resolve the issues. It is deeply regrettable that we were not given that opportunity.
With regard to the troubling safety issues they raised, safety for all concerned is of course our highest priority. We have strict safety protocols in place, including structured dog walks, the use of muzzles when appropriate, clear handling guidelines for the animals in our care, and behavioural advice regarding the wider dog population. Our safety procedures, both with regard to the animals and generally, are outlined in our Information pack and standard agreement with our volunteers. As safety protocols must often adapt to constantly changing conditions - eg. updated requirements for the use of a muzzle for a specific dog - all updates are customarily communicated directly to incoming volunteers during the handover process. We are extremely sorry that this did not happen in this case. Moving forward , in any future instance where we as hosts are unable to give the handover ourselves, additional precautions will be taken to verify that the handover has been conducted fully and correctly. With regard to some points mentioned in the feedback which were inaccurate : - there was a functioning two burner gas stove in their volunteer house; a shared fridge was available in the second volunteer house, one minute's walk away; the bucket shower arrangement was explained prior to their visit, hence they took out their own portable shower attachment . As a matter of course, we inform incoming volunteers that Mayreau was badly impacted by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. Much of the island's infrastructure was destroyed, and our volunteer houses were damaged, and many of the house contents destroyed. The houses have been repaired, but we always stress in advance to our volunteers that living conditions are still simple and quite basic. Kevin and Josie also raised concerns about local people "taking advantage" of our support. We understand this viewpoint completely, but the context is that we work closely with veterinary professionals and educators and the police to promote responsible animal ownership and to advocate for legal enforcement of welfare standards. Cultural change around animal welfare takes time, and whilst we are commited to education, hands-on care is often the only thing standing between an animal and continued suffering.
In conclusion, we are very sorry and shocked that Kevin and Josie's experience was so far from ideal. We just wish that they had communicated this information directly to us during their stay so that we could have addressed and resolved these issues.

(Neutral )

24 Apr 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our small grassroots ...)

I have thought long and hard about giving this feedback as I realise that it is a negative one. I do not think it is a forum to broadcast issues and make personal statements as per the guidelines for feedback. I have out of respect given full honest and frank feedback direct with the host which to her credit have been taken on board and in fact… read more due to the nature of events was travelling out from the UK to deal directly. This however does not take away from the basic facts that need to be known by others who may consider this as a visit. I travelled with my wife with our eyes open as we are very experienced travellers and travelled the world volunteering. We had issues prior to leaving with moving house but decided to continue as we never let anyone down last minute. On arrival the situation was clearly very difficult, we had no sleep at all due to the dogs kept in the house, the walking of the dogs as required on a lead was at times dangerous as the majority of local dogs are running free so attract attention. This included some biting incidents which were totally preventable, we were surprised that the locals attitude to the charity in general as quite happy to stand and watch while we watered there animals, this encouraged laziness, it was compounded by the next door neighbour who I found was the brother in law of the host telling us off for the way we were supposed to be feeding his dog, cats and goats while he sat on balcony watching. the same happened with other families who just took advantage. We were aware that the facilities were basic but with no fridge cooker and shower lack of sleep and general lack of communication all round the matter was becoming untenable. The volunteer who was on site to meet us and guide us was erratic and all over the place, The serious issues with her have been relayed direct but were significant. The issues of dog attacks again were real andthe attitude of some locals was problematic and concerning. We had taken on this project with a view to maybe extending it for a long period but It became clear that we were hugely out of pocket travelling a long way and not making a real difference, actually feeling used. It really needs education but the locals need to embrace this. I have as said contacted the host directly with full details, I have also made workaday admin aware of exactly the same. I would summarise this as I would advise my daughter who is a vet nurse to not consider this at all, the health and safety even on a foreign island is unacceptable and it is not safe. I personally feel let down and amazed after reading the previous reviews, that is not what we encountered at all. I applaud the host for the ideals involved in this and grateful that it was taken seriously . We decided to prioritise our own issues at home so cut our visit short.

(Neutral )

12 Sep 2016

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help running a 26 acre, two ...)

We stayed with Pete and Marion for nearly two months, it is safe to say that I think both of us were a little nervous staying for such an extended period. Well Wow what can we say.... Pete and Marion are the kindest most generous couple who work so hard to make this beautiful place so special. It is a pleasure to have been out with them, Marion is… read more

(Excellent )

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