Help shape a hidden green oasis in the centre of Diest, Belgium

Infos

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  Description

  Hi, I'm Nick,
  
  I'm a Dutch landscaper, and gardens have been my passion for as long as I can remember. In 2025, I bought a beautiful 200+ year old house in the heart of Diest, Belgium. The property has a huge garden with lots of potential, and I'm slowly bringing both the house and grounds back to life.
  
  My long-term dream is to create a welcoming community space where people can connect with nature, share skills, learn from one another, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. There are always interesting projects on the go, from gardening and landscaping to renovation, maintenance, and creative improvements around the property.
  
  The house is gradually becoming a community-oriented space, and you'll get a glimpse of local Belgian life while also meeting people from different backgrounds and walks of life.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Dev. durable

  

  LGBT+

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Jardinage

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Architecture

  

  Danse

  

  Plage

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  I'm happy to share my knowledge of landscaping, gardening, and working with historic properties, and I enjoy learning about the experiences, cultures, and perspectives that travellers bring with them.
  
  I'm gay, and my partner Tom lives with me for part of each week. We both work full-time, so during weekdays you'll often have the place largely to yourself while we're at work. Evenings are usually more social, whether that's sharing a meal, chatting about life, or spending time with friends who regularly visit the house.
  
  The house is gradually becoming a community-oriented space, and you'll get a glimpse of local Belgian life while also meeting people from different backgrounds and walks of life.
  
  Diest itself is a lovely historic town, and there is beautiful nature within walking distance of the house, including forests, walking trails, and peaceful green spaces to explore in your free time. Whether you're interested in gardening, local culture, nature, or simply experiencing life in Belgium, there's plenty to enjoy here.

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  Aide

  There is always plenty to do around the house and gardens, and the work changes with the seasons and the current projects.
  
  Right now, my main priorities are sanding, painting, gardening, and helping to keep the house clean and comfortable during ongoing renovations. The gardens are large and full of potential, so tasks can include weeding, planting, pruning, landscaping, and helping to create new outdoor spaces.
  
  I also appreciate practical help with moving heavy items. Some projects involve shifting rocks around the gardens, relocating plants, or moving old furniture and fittings within the house and property. If you're reasonably fit and don't mind a bit of physical work, that's a big help.
  
  The house is over 200 years old and currently undergoing restoration, which means dust has a habit of appearing everywhere! Volunteers who enjoy cleaning and organising are especially welcome. Tasks can include vacuuming, mopping floors, dusting, cleaning windows, tidying rooms, and helping keep the house feeling fresh and welcoming.
  
  You don't need to do everything. Some volunteers prefer gardening and outdoor projects, others enjoy painting and DIY, and some are happiest helping with cleaning and organising indoors. We can usually find tasks that match your interests, skills, and energy levels.
  
  You don't need to be an expert. A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and enjoyment of hands-on work are far more important. There will be opportunities to learn about gardening, landscaping, renovation, and the ongoing transformation of a unique historic home.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Hollandais: Courant

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  Hébergement

  The house is a beautiful 200+ year old property full of character, history, and quirky features. It is located right in the heart of Diest, a charming historic town in Belgium, with Brussels only about an hour away by train.
  
  You'll have your own large private bedroom with a comfortable bed and space to relax. The house has plenty of room both inside and out, including extensive gardens that are constantly evolving as part of the ongoing restoration and landscaping projects.
  
  Shops, cafés, restaurants, and local amenities are within easy walking distance, and there are beautiful natural areas nearby for walks and exploring during your free time.
  
  This is an old house rather than a luxury hotel, but if you enjoy character, history, and being part of a unique project, you'll feel right at home.
  
  All meals can be agreed on together, taking into account any allergies or intolerances.
  For myself, breakfast is usually yoghurt with granola and fruit. Lunch and dinner are mostly vegetarian. We’re flexible with meals: I can cook for you, you can cook for yourself with provided ingredients, or we can cook together – whichever works best.

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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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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Fast WiFi available

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Open to discussing pets.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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