Jane

United Kingdom
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Profile information

Travel information

I am currently

At home

My next destination:
Turkey
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Description

I love nature and being and working outdoors. I am very keen to help in gardening, permaculture and sustainability projects. I work hard and am flexible. I adore walking and swimming, especially in rivers and the sea. I also love food and cooking and I ran a small cafe kitchen in Turkey once. I’d be very happy to cook for groups of volunteers or the public. I also love photography so would be happy to take photos to add to your website or profile.

I have worked and travelled in South America for nine months and in Central America for three months so beginning to feel a little bit familiar with this vast continent!

In England I work as a teacher trainer in a field of education known in the U.K. as "global learning". It is all the things I am passionate about like human rights, equality, social justice, sustainable development etc. I am also a qualified TEFL teacher (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) and have taught for many many years. I am fluent in Spanish after living in Madrid for nearly 7 years and I also speak Turkish and French. I have been learning Quechua for several months and want the opportunity to improve it. I am a single parent and my daughter has now left home.
Interests

Beach

Books

Cooking & food

Cycling

Dancing

Gardening

Music

Outdoor activities

Plant care

Sustainability

Water sports

Writing

Van life

Politics / Social justice

Photography

Nature

Languages

Hitchhiking

Hiking

Fitness

Farming

Culture

Charity work

Architecture
Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Turkish: Intermediate
Quechua: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Life at a Farmstay

Art Projects

Some knowledge of:

Light gardening

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Eco Projects

Hospitality/Tourism

Able to teach about:

Helping around the house

Charity Work

Languages

Teaching
More details about your skills

General gardening especially growing herbs, light building/painting/decorating, Cooking, Fluent Spanish and other languages, English Language teaching, Teacher training, Philosophy for Children, Translation and Interpreting, Bringing up a child, Good amateur photographer, keen eye for colour and interior design/decorating.
Age

62
What else ...

My immediate plans are to spend some more time in Turkey improving my Turkish.

Ultimately I would like to get back to South America and spend a few months back in Peru and/or Bolivia as I wish to learn more Quechua. I love working on projects outdoors in nature. I like to be with children and young people and I would be happy to provide occasional childcare or babysitting for a family, although would prefer not to be doing this every day. I may be older than many volunteers but I am fit and very healthy and very young at heart! (the only thing I can't do is lift heavy loads due to a back issue - heavy digging or intensive planting may need to be mixed with other tasks). I can also provide help with tourists on reception in hotels and hostels and am happy to do general upkeep and cleaning too. Due to my back problems though I cannot make beds or hoover!
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Bee stings!
- Special dietary requirements
  No. I happily eat anything and everything!

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15 Jul 2023

Left by host for Workawayer ()

We had a short and nice time with Jane. I was very satisfied with him. an elegant and kind person. I will take his suggestions into consideration. I wish him success in his next life.

(Very good )

10 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help make delicious meals ...)

I stayed at Süreyya’s place for just a week in July and found him as a host to be kind and generous as well as a great cook.
The profile is described very accurately although during the week I was there perhaps four volunteers were too many for the amount of work that needs doing (for Süreyya too).
The work we did consisted mainly of early … read more

(Very good )

6 Nov 2021

Left by host (Learn new skills and trek in ...) for Workawayer ()

Jane contacted me very long time before she arrived and always kept me updated about her trip to Turkey. This was very nice of her as we are little bit tired of volunteers who promise a lot about their participation, then don't show up without a y prior notice.
The COVID caused some delays in her trip, but finally she could make it and joined us … read more

(Excellent )

5 Nov 2021

Left by Workawayer () for host (Learn new skills and trek in ...)

I stayed with Bulent, Ivett and their family for close to four weeks in August ~ perhaps not the wisest choice of time to stay as I struggled with the heat! I immediately felt very comfortable with the family. They are well-used to having people from all over the world and it felt very natural to be accepted straight into the family's daily life. … read more
The place is gorgeous, surrounded as it is by all the home-grown organic fruit, vegetables and grapes and Mehmet Amca does a great job of tending to them.
Communication with Bulent was good and he does his best to be flexible and accommodating of volunteers' needs and is happy to give lifts into the town of Gazipasa.
Due to previous experience of working in a Turkish kitchen, I worked in the restaurant and kitchen the whole month and it felt like a good fit. Customers arrive all day from before 08.00 to perhaps past 22.00 so the family, Perihan Tezye, Emine and Fatos in particular work long hours. For the first few weeks I was working way over the stated five hours but that was my choice and was fine as there are 'down times' during the day when we could sit and chat or have a snack.
The work was much as you might expect in a working kitchen; preparing salads, making tea, loading/unloading the dishwasher, serving food and drinks, and keeping things stocked up. In the final week the dishwasher had taken its toll on my back and the family were happy for me to ease off and do other tasks, including photography for the website and social media.
The time I was there was a very sociable time with visits from Ivett's parents and also friends from the East and it was great to enjoy times around the restaurant tables in conversation. After work we usually piled in the family's old van for a trip to one of the many stunning local beaches. Again feeling that you are just one more member of the family along with Mum, parents-in-law, kids, friends etc was great!
The surrounding area really is stunning and even little daily walks with my camera after work were nice, although the restaurant IS on a very busy main road so you do have to choose your route carefully.
Although I do speak Turkish it was good to have some opportunities to improve my vocabulary with the family, especially with names of local natural life and produce (otherwise both Bulent and Ivett's English is superb).
As they had family and friends staying I slept on the roof terrace (used for hanging laundry). On the one hand it was wonderful to see the starry night and shooting stars every night but I also would say that it is noisy with the road traffic and the total lack of privacy was also challenging for me, especially as a woman. Even getting under the sheets was tricky sometimes once the neighbours opposite had moved back in!
All in all this was a wonderful experience and I would strongly recommend it to other Workawayers (but maybe choose another time of year and not August!). I felt like I left Zeytinada as a friend of the family and send my best wishes and kisses to everyone ~ Perihan Teyze, Mehmet Amca, Bulent, Ivett, Emine, Fatos, Baris and the children.

(Very good )

6 Mar 2019

Left by Workawayer () for host (Volunteer at a Mayan school ...)

Estuve nada más que un plan de dos semanas aquí y fue una experiencia muy interesante. Me gustó mucho empezar a conocer a los estudiantes (“patojos”) aunque dos semanas no es mucho para esto. Desafortunadamente tengo que decir que, cuando yo estaba allí, hubo varios problemas que hicieron que la experiencia no fue tan positiva como puede haber … read more

(Good )

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Communication:
(4.5)

Skills:
(4.5)

Observed house rules:
(4.5)

15 Jul 2023

Left by host for Workawayer

We had a short and nice time with Jane. I was very satisfied with him. an elegant and kind person. I will take his suggestions into consideration. I wish him success in his next life.

(Very good)

10 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer for host (Help make delicious meals ...)

(Very good)

6 Nov 2021

Left by host (Learn new skills and trek in ...) for Workawayer

(Excellent)

5 Nov 2021

Left by Workawayer for host (Learn new skills and trek in ...)

(Very good)

6 Mar 2019

Left by Workawayer for host (Volunteer at a Mayan school ...)

(Good)

6 Mar 2019

Left by Workawayer for host (Translate classes at a ...)

Esto fue mi primera experiencia de Workaway en Guatemala y fue una introducción buenísima a la cocina y cultura Guatemalteca. Braulio es súper simpático y te ayuda en todo lo que pueda. Las cocineras Sonia y Ody y el resto del equipo, Alejandra y Krystyna (cuando estaba yo allí) son todas muy lindas. El trabajo es fácil y las horas muy levaderas- … read more

(Very good)

16 Oct 2018

Left by Workawayer for host (Welcoming help to make an ...)

Pasé una semana nada más con Nancy y su familia pero fue una experiencia súper bonita! Vino al final de mi viaje de nueve meses cuando llevaba ya unas semanas sola y fue re linda estar en el calor de una familia. Trabajé en el jardín quitando malezas y formando un cerco natural con el jardín conlindante. Es trabajo caluroso pero no demasiado duro. … read more

(Excellent)

12 Jun 2018

Left by host (Welcoming help to make an ...) for Workawayer

jane es una persona muy agradable y trabajadora siempre esta ayudando y compartiendo también su tiempo con la familia entre conversaciones y juegos de mesa fue estupendo tener su compañía mil gracias jane

(Excellent)

24 May 2018

Left by host (Bioconstruction and recycling ...) for Workawayer

Jane was an excellent workaway, really attentive on things around the house and taling carr of the kids. She is bringing calm energy and respect and always a good conversacion about her exciting life abroad:)

(Excellent)

25 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer for host (Bioconstruction and recycling ...)

Yo quede alli en la casa una semana nada mas. Lucie respondió a una solicitud de ayuda que puse en plataformas de Arequipa despues de que me robaron todo. Necesitaba un lugar donde quedar y Lucie fue super-amable en ofrecerme un voluntario mas ligero en la casa en vez de en el proyecto (ya que también estaba enferma y su marido Pablo estaba … read more

(Very good)

23 May 2018

Left by Workawayer for host (Join us on our small farm and ...)

Yo pasé tres semanas en la finca en Playa Jihuay y cada semana semana fue distincta pero genial. La primera semana fuimos 15 personas y la última yo era la única voluntaria con Álvaro y Kristiane. Son una pareja muy buena onda y súper buena compañía.
El trabajo es caluroso pero no se trabaja muchas horas y acabando a mediodía sobra tiempo libre … read more

(Excellent)

25 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer for host (Spanish speakers welcome in ...)

Pase una semana en el hospedaje con Maria y Carlos.
Maria es una persona muy buena con compasión y empatia hacia otros.
Era la semana de Navidad y la verdad es que apenas habia huespedes - solo un grupo de 6 trabajadores unos dias. Yo habia entendido que era un hostal y pensaba que habria muchos huespedes jovenes etc pero no fue asi y en … read more

(Good)

25 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer for host (Volunteer at our English Club ...)

I stayed with Edgar and his family for a few days when he very kindly responded to an appeal for help I put on Arequipa onlne platforms after I was robbed of everything. As an English teacher I was hoping to do the conversation club but unfortuntely students were not back yet and there was no club to speak of. However Edgar happily hosted me for … read more

(Very good)

25 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer for host (Help in a hostel in San Pedro ...)

Please see our feedback policy for more info about why this review is not displayed

(Neutral)

25 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer for host (Volunteer needed in hostel, ...)

I spent two weeks up at the beautiful finca in the rain forest. It really is stunning and Andres has created a wonderful place for himself there in peace and natural beauty. He is incredibly knowledgable about all things relating to plants and permaculture but also the local culture. He is also generous in his sharing of learning and expertise and … read more

(Good)

16 Dec 2017

Left by Workawayer for host (Help on my homestead in ...)

I arrived at Cris’s at the best time and the worst time. Cris had just returned from months away in Canada to find that her employee had left. The animals and the land were not in a good state and this made the first week very challenging for Cris and naturally impacted on others. But, along with a new worker, we worked hard to bring some kind of … read more

(Very good)

15 Dec 2017

Left by host for Workawayer

Jane joined our team and quickly managed to understand the system. Helped servers with their tasks, and also helped on our garden. She also tought some english clases to our staff.
Very enthusiastic person and always ready for a new job.
She comes up with ideas and will share her point of view on how she can help with different tasks.
She has an … read more

(Excellent)

6 Nov 2017

Left by Workawayer for host (Come and help us with our ...)

This was my first workaway experience and it was a great way to start. Giovanni and Bruno run a beautiful and well-organised restaurant and the role of workawayers is always very clear. Giovanni is always very respectful of sticking to the average 5hrs per day for workawayers. For me it was a great experience to see all the different aspects that … read more

(Excellent)

14 Dec 2017

Left by host for Workawayer

It was great to invite and host Jane for 2 weeks and a half. She is a super qualified English teacher, a total expert in her field, of course she was helping me to improve my English all the time. First two days here she cleaned my house and took over the vegan cooking task. I felt very supportted by her, those days I needed a lot of help around … read more

(Excellent)

19 Nov 2017

Left by Workawayer for host (Collaborate with an ...)

Juan approached me with an e-mail offer to come stay and I stayed with him for two and a half weeks. The first thing I’ll say about Juan is that he is super-generous in every sense of the word; with his home, his food, his friends and his time. He shares his space so easily - not something everybody can do - and really makes you feel part of a … read more

(Excellent)