Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
Hi, I am new to Workaway but have plenty of experience hosting and guesting through Couchsurfing, Warmshowers and WTMG, and enjoy meeting like-minded people with an 'adventure mindset'.
For the last decade I have been owner/operator of Ireland's first natural wine bar: www.thegallerywestport.com
It's a very special place! (please look at my Google and Trip Advisor reviews).
I now aim to travel during the off season to learn more about regenerative farming, self-sustainability, slow travel, ethical food practice and use these experiences as fuel for my upcoming podcast.
I enjoy surfing, mountains, being in nature and fresh air, practice QiGong and mediate daily, integrating this into my everyday life. Creatively, I find outlet through music, photography, web design and writing, which I do both personally and professionally.
My background includes teaching and training across a range of disciplines, including outdoor pursuits, habitat management, landscaping work, gardening etc, to designing and delivering accredited training courses as well as intervention programmes for 'spirited' young people and adults, with decades of experience working of running sessions and courses.
Ideally I am looking for paid work so that I can focus on learning new skills, and documenting my travels and workaway experiences for my podcast: Sacred Spokes.
I aim to close my bar fully from mid October to March each year and to use some of this time working on a farm or in a vineyard etc and to also source new wines from small scale producers and farmers to then bring back to my bar to showcase and sell for specialist events that focus on natural processes and soil health.
I'd love to hear back from people that may be able to offer paid work, but this is not essential as I believe the connections made on my journey will be useful in guiding me as I create and shape my new path. I can also travel in my camper van or on my touring bicycle and am very self-sufficient, so accommodation does not have to be an issue. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I wish you a wonderful day.
With kindness,
Tom
Interests
Animals
Beach
Culture
Mountain
Music
Photography
Writing
Sustainability
Self development
Videography
Yoga / Wellness
Van life
Outdoor activities
Nature
Farming
Cycling
Hiking
Events & social
Carpentry
Cooking & food
Adventure sports
Books
Camping
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Life at a Farmstay
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Art Projects
Able to teach about:
Eco Projects
Hospitality/Tourism
Teaching
More details about your skills
Here is a a snapshot from my CV:
Multi-skilled manager/trainer with 20+yrs experience across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the fields of Outdoor Pursuits, Conservation, Environment and Regeneration.
Experienced in upgrading electronic and physical processes in office and field.
Adept in building solid relationships, and nurturing new opportunities to achieve common goals.
Excellent motivator and manages projects with energy and empathy.
Staff management, training and evaluation.
Training, delivery and evaluation of sessions, workshops & accredited courses in: outdoor pursuits, life skills, employment, creative arts, music and environmental activities.
Client relationship building: 1-2-1, groups & multi-agency partnership working.
Design skills: adverts, information capture, project workflows, web design, social media, photography and video. Risk Assessment of individuals, groups, built environment, outdoor / indoor activities.
Mac & PC & APPS: iWork, Office, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Filmora, Davinci Pro, Wordpress, Facebook, Instagram etc
Copy writing skills, evaluation & report writing skills.
My working life is as follows:
2014-date: Owner of The Gallery, Westport. Ireland’s First natural Wine Bar
Set up The Gallery with no experience in wine, now in my tenth year of business!
Helped to reshape the wine industry in Ireland focusing on natural wines. I am Ireland’s first member of Kiss The Ground (Soil Regeneration Organisation), Ireland's first member of Raisin (Natural Wine app), McKenna's Good Food Award 2016 - 2024, and achieved many other industry firsts.
2010-2013: Operations & Training Manager
Managing an NVQ assessor and instructor training programme, across four centres.
Recruitment, training and management of senior staff (as well as disciplinary procedures as required).
Overseeing equipment and activity scheduling of holiday camps and schools [day & residential] activity programmes. Successfully delivered training project and left to pursue my own goals.
2007-2010: Social Development Manager
Writing / managing & delivery of a range of personal & social development programs with specific educational and accredited targets, in partnership with head teachers, local government department heads and other agencies.
Achievements include set up and running of a specialist behavioural school, balancing management with teaching and working with clients / parents and referral organisations to deliver agreed outcomes.
The role also involved writing confidential reports, and company policies in line with current legislation, staff procedures and a whole range of systems and processes as well as teaching materials that successfully engaged some of the most ‘spirited’ young people in UK society. (IMD)
2005-2007: Director. Life Mechanics (Social Development Company)
Day-to-day management, networking, project evaluation and delivery with music, dance and creative arts. Working with Celebrities / external agencies ensuring successful completion / evaluation of projects. Design of all marketing and PR displays.
2003-2005: Environmental Project Manager
Voluntary, public and private sector project work in a multi-agency environment.
Funding procurement and evaluation, project design and delivery, including all necessary office admin work. I also taught life skills and employability techniques whilst seconded to another projects.
2001-2003: Conservation Skills NVQ Assessor
Environmental NVQ training and assessment with at risk and marginalised adults on a Government back-to-work scheme.
Writing, design and delivery of careers guidance and basic skills training.
Problem solving, organisational skills and life skills design and delivery.
Teaching a range of land and water based conservation skills from hedge laying to dry stone walling to habitat creation and surveying.
1997 - 2001: Advertising Executive
Designing adverts, copy writing and selling space in national press, working to strict deadlines. Cold calling and maintaining / developing client relationships.
Maintaining databases and training new staff.
Age
52
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
NoSpecial dietary requirements
No
