Support a project for endangered ponies on beautiful but rugged Skyros Island, Greece

Infos

• 

  Description

  Hello and welcome to our profile, and thank you for taking the time to read it .
  
  Spring and Summer have arrived, the island is beginning to bloom, and it’s a beautiful time to be here.
  
  The farm is now ready to open its doors once more—to new faces, new energy, and people who feel called to contribute to this very real, meaningful, long-term project.
  
  After a short pause from hosting new Workaway volunteers over the past six months, due to the heart breaking loss of my life partner, Stathis, in March 2025. During this time, I only welcomed long-term or returning volunteers while finding my feet again. Although grief is still present, I am excited, and now ready to meet new volunteers.
  
  Before writing to us, please do read the whole profile, so you can see whether we are the right fit for you.
  
  We are a registered Greek non-profit supporting the conservation, education, and lifelong care of the critically endangered Skyrian horse, alongside a number of other rescue animals, inadvertently a bit of a Noahs Ark !
  .
  At the moment, we care for:
  ● 31 Skyrian ponies
  ● 3 larger rescue ponies
  ● 3 young rescue dogs and my elderly dog
  ● 14 stray cats
  ● A lot of chickens
  ● One very elderly goat
  
  Our project is entirely non-commercial and exists for one reason:
  to serve the animals we care for and protect a rare native breed on an island with extremely limited resources.
  
  Our project started in 2006 and since 2009, we have enjoyed hosting over 500 volunteers , not just from Workaway but also internships, independent travellers, people via horsemanship networks, and other volunteer sites.
  …………
  We are looking for volunteers who can stay 4 weeks or more (longer is even better) and who have at least one or more of the following:
  
  ● Experience with ponies / horses
  ● Experience with dogs or livestock
  ● Farm work, Fencing or land-care experience
  ● Gardening, DIY, or maintenance skills
  ● Emotional maturity and self-motivation
  ● A grounded, calm presence
  ● Reliability, initiative, and respect for boundaries
  
  We are neither a riding nor holiday centre .
  
  The work is physical, simple, repetitive at times, and outdoors in all weather. But it is meaningful, real, and deeply connective.
  If you are seeking:
  ● peace
  ● nature
  ● purpose
  ● quiet
  ● contribution
  ● animal welfare
  ...then we might be the right place for you.
  
  Caring for animals on the farm is rooted in a very clear ethos based on:
  ● species-specific behaviour
  ● clear boundaries
  ● respectful and conscious interaction
  ● presence, observation, and patience
  ● meeting their needs, not our own
  
  We are dedicated to helping to protect and save the critically endangered small Skyrian horse - via conservation, education, and welfare initiatives on our small, completely non-profit project on the wild island of Skyros. With this comes many economic challenges, of caring for so many animals on an island with limited vet support, and needing to import at a great cost from the mainland much of what the animals need.
  
  We are committed to doing our very best for our animals within the context of a small , remote, Greek island with very limited resources, no equine vet and a small animal vet who is only here intermittently.
  
  So in brief our volunteers helps us care for the daily needs of all these animals, meaning cleaning up after them eg lots of poop ! making sure their water sources are clean and filled , helping with feeding, and helping ensure they are all kept healthy.
  
  Maybe you are someone who is looking at settling in for a long stay offering you the opportunity to immerse yourself in our project alongside of rural Greek life, in a traditional agricultural Greek Island area - getting involved and engaged in the daily care of our rare breed ponies who are very kind natured & intelligent and maybe coming up with some equine enrichment ideas or if you are interested in supporting us with some day to day tasks such as pruning and clearing fence lines, or helping us set up and maintain some small vegetable patches just for the farms use.
  
  We love volunteers who are mature in character, able to be trusted , understand there need to be boundaries and a schedule of tasks /farm routine, enjoy physical work and are energised and can take initiative. People who are practical, can listen and follow directions and are also able to problem solve, enjoy simple down to earth tasks, intelligent, positive, open minded, flexible, enjoy quiet time, are dedicated, emotionally intelligent, enjoy outside physical dirty farm work and have experience with horses/ponies or farmwork and are happy with the basic pleasures of life, away from the world of social media and ringing phones and lots of chatter.
  
  We prioritise volunteers who have experience with horses OR gardening, maintenance, farm experienced people. particularly if you are also open to understanding that we are on an island with limited resources meaning we have to think out side of the box - in terms of best methods of horse care eg Track systems, non pasture land, water shortages due to drought conditions, no equine vet , farrier etc.
  
  We also accept people who have experience with farm animals or farm work or have good maintenance or DIY skills or are interested in veg gardening and can stay for at least 6 weeks.
  
  We have been blessed in having volunteers who return to our project many times over many years and have also had volunteers who stay with us frequently for a year or more, We love long stay people as a true authentic trust is built over time and our animals appreciate getting to know people over a period of time to be able to trust them too, it also means volunteers can see some projects through to completion and immerse themselves in the true slow deep pace of island life, and it allows our non profit to run more effectively and efficiently.
  
  So if you are seeking to have a meaningful, authentic, interesting, experience please do get in touch. We frequently form long term friendships with our volunteers and are blessed to have past volunteers who return on an annual basis...
  
  Our project started in 2006 and since 2009, we have enjoyed hosting over 300 volunteers , not just from Workaway but also internships, independent travellers, people via horsemanship networks, and other volunteer sites.
  
  *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️We are sorry but we are unable to accept people with children as our accommodation is just not set up for this and we also find it challenging to host couples due to accommodation issues . *️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️*️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️( Please note the ponies are small, 10.2 to 11 hands, so we are a non riding project ( there is the occasional exception to this).
  
  Our base is a rustic, basic, old small working farm, based in a remote and traditional Greek farming area which is near the sea, an archaeological site and pine forest, on a traditional , wild and beautiful Greek island.
  
  If you want to be part of a genuine charity/non profit project, and help us care for our herd to the best of our abilities , then please do get in touch and we will send you detailed information about our project and a volunteer application form.
  We really look forward to hearing from you and thank you.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  Projets artistiques

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Histoire

  

  Politique/justice sociale

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Ferme

  

  Écriture

  

  Livres

  

  Animaux

  

  Nature
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Volunteers get the chance to be in close contact to nature, the sea and forest & Greek culture. It is a simple basic life far away from the modern world , with the most amazing star filled night skies..
  
  You will support a genuine project that is - conserving a rare breed , committed to understanding equines way of thinking and behaviour and very much aiming at what we can do to support the equine and putting their needs first rather than them fulfilling our needs.
  
  You will get to understand the challenges of looking after many animals 24/7 and 365 days of the year .
  
  Skyros is an incredibly safe place great for walking and exploring and as a woman this can be extremely liberating . Houses and cars doors are left open and their is still a real sense of community. We have incredible night skies with no light pollution, and an overwhelming quietness of nature and it is an extremely safe space to walk hike around. It is a great place to put away your mobile phone and get reconnected to nature and her rhythm.
  
  You will have the opportunity to learn about horse management and we will offer at least one ethical horsemanship ground skills training during your stay.

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  Aide

  Most of the tasks are centered around our herd of friendly Skyrian ponies , watering, yard work, sweeping, pooh picking their fields, moving hay, filling hay nets, making up and giving our at need ponies their supplements, developing enrichment ideas for our track system, unloading hay deliveries, handling the ponies, grooming , picking out feet , mending fences etc . But also walking our rescue dogs or feeding cats cleaning their bowls etc
  
  Depending on the time of the year also supporting occasional horsemanship projects and showing visitors around and possibly painting walls and stables etc. Sometimes there are some very specific projects like fencing , or fruit picking ( we have orange, lemon, apricot, fig trees), and pruning and if enough olives- olive picking in late autumn. We also have some creative projects going on at times.
  
  For volunteers with real experience and who are staying for an extended length of time and have skills with ponies their are opportunities to get involved with a positive reinforcement approach to training, ground skills, liberty work, etc .
  
  The work is usually a split shift with approx. 3 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the evening but this changes a little between the summer and winter months.
  
  Their is always a good amount of time free to explore the island , take a walk, rest, sit in a hammock, go to the nearby beach, explore the paths and walks nearby, read a book etc.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Intermédiaire
  Greek: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  The accommodation is a very basic simple shared room with beds and mattresses and with its own very basic bathroom, and a small area with a fridge toaster kettle sink and a woodburning stove .
  
  In summer and warmer months there is the possibility to camp in our small olive grove .
  
  This year we also have two Wooden huts that we are trialling as volunteer accommodation in spring summer and Autumn which seem to be a big hit with our volunteers.
  
  We provide a do it yourself breakfast ( muesli, porridge, cheese on toast, peanut butter, tahini, milk,) and a good healthy home cooked lunch.
  We can cater for vegetarian and non vegetarian people BUT WE can't cater for Vegans, lactose intolerant , gluten free etc its just too challenging , expensive and time consuming to cook for so many different types of diet . Thank you .
  
  We don't supply an evening meal although there are frequently left overs from lunch. So volunteers either get shopping or voluntarily contribute a small amount for us to get some extra supplies for them.
  
  The volunteers room is painted once a year and deep cleaned but it is then up to the volunteers who live in it to keep it clean.

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  Autres infos...

  Skyros island is still very traditional, with an unspoilt wild beauty whilst also being very safe as everyone knows everyone, possibly one of the last places in the world where doors are left unlocked and one can walk day or night as a woman and feel safe. Farm life is basic, rustic, simple and far far away from modern conveniences. The farm is in a traditional farming area close to the beach and pine forest. There is a taverna in easy walking distance , and a wonderful ancient archaeological site next to the sea in 10 mins walking distance. There are other beautiful beaches about 1 hour away by foot or with a bike 20 minutes away.
  
  The main village ( 10km away from our farm), is vibrant and very beautiful and traditionally Greek and has good access to internet, two museums and many good cafes and bars. There is limited public transport and if you want to explore the island especially off season the best way is walking , borrowing a bike , hitching or hiring a moped or car. We will also gives you lifts when we are going into the village if we can.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Cet hôte a de la place pour les vans.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  34 ponies

  31 skyrian ponies 3 rescue ponies

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