Leah

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Eu estou

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**UPDATE: I'M CURRENTLY AVAILABLE MOST DATES (EXCEPT CHRISTMAS) FOR PET-SITTING, PLANT-SITTING, FARM-SITTING & HOUSE-SITTING - ONLY - IN SPAIN & IRELAND. I LIVE PERMANENTLY IN ASTURIAS. PLEASE READ MY PROFILE BEFORE CONTACTING ME, OR AT LEAST THE FIRST PARAGRAPH BELOW ENTITLED "IMPORTANT NOTE"!**

Hello and thank you for exploring my profile. I'm Leah. But before I start to tell you a bit about me there is a little, yet...

IMPORTANT NOTE: The only exception to me home-sitting and pet-sitting via Workaway is that I'd love to help people out with beekeeping next year and to support an albergue for pilgrims in the summer. I'm not interested in any other opportunities and my main interest is home/plant/pet-sitting. If you live in Asturias I can likely help out last minute if it's for less than a week as I live permanently in Asturias. I'm only available up to an absolute maximum of 10-nights in Asturias, 21-nights in the rest of Spain and up to approx. 31-nights in Ireland. I'm not travelling - I'm happily settled in Asturias Spain, but love to help people out with a trusted, highly-skilled and experienced "sitter" whilst they're away (it's what I'd love for my land, home and animals). And I'd love to learn beekeeping and to support pilgrims on the Camino.

I'm very aware that my profile is a long one, but if you're going to trust me to look after your beloved home and pets/plants, alone, whilst you're away, then I have a feeling you'll want to know quite a bit about me beforehand... I would.

Being an animal and land guardian myself in a rural mountainous area of Asturias Spain I know how stressful it can be to find someone trustworthy that also has A LOT of animal care and plant care experience. And, also someone who has the confidence to stay alone in your home whilst you're away. I hope I can be that person for you. For me, I get to help people out, spend time in varied places with new surroundings (inspiring for a writer of eco-consciousness) and to meet new animals and plants, which I love.

MY QUALIFICATIONS & WORK: I've studied a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Care (with distinction - full-time study - for two years), a BSc Hons in Wildlife Conservation, PgDip Youth & Community Work, PgCert Ecology & Spirituality, 190-hour Ecotherapy Cert., etc., etc.., and have tonnes of work experience in those fields too. I'm a former wildlife conservationist, bat biologist, eco-consciousness thought leader and published co-author in the same topic. I've also worked extensively as an environmental community projects officer, international youth development worker for social and environmental impact (working across 32 different countries in-person or virtually - see photos) and in Nature connection for 23-years. For over a decade I've also managed coaching and mentoring programmes across the globe in themes of wellbeing, youth development, leadership and peer-support and am a known leader in the field of youth coaching/mentoring (ICF-ACTP qualified coach, EMCC EIA Senior Practitioner in mentoring and coaching, NVQ IAG Level 4, etc.). I'm also currently part of the editing team for a British academic journal, and I'm a writer and independent researcher. Yes, my CV is bizarre, but everything interlinks one way or another!

MY ANIMAL CARE EXPERIENCE: I've looked after ALL kinds of plants and animals over my lifetime, for myself and other people, including: dogs, cows, cats, axolotls, horses, chickens, geese, ducks, donkeys, lizards, fish, amphibians, goats, sheep, snakes, insects like tarantulas, small mammals, wildlife etc. I also used to work as a licensed bat surveyor and cared for injured bats. In my youth, I worked daily on a dairy farm with 55 milking cows, in pet stores, at a horse riding centre and at animal rescues too. My idea of a perfect day out is either hiking in the wilds alone with my dog, attending a flower show (I spent my 30th at the Harrogate flower show - dream birthday, for me!), wildlife watching, monitoring bears and wolves, having a wilderness picnic in silence, exploring, undertaking ecotherapy exercises, and simply being surrounded by plants and animals (I love the ancient history of villages, towns and cities too).

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU & VICE VERSA: If home/pet-sitting, I can commit to around 3-5 hours direct work for you a day 7-days a week (so around 25 hours a week commitment). For beekeeping and albergue support I can commit to five days a week. I do expect some really basic food in return for my support; it's a fair return as I'll be paying for my transport to reach you and I will also be providing the highest standard of animal, home and plant care, perfectionism and compassion. I eat anything, I don't snack and 'I would never take the biscuit' so to speak. All I need is some bare basics in exchange for my time e.g. potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese (or mushrooms/similar if you're vegan), garlic, milk, eggs (or nuts/similar if you're vegan), herbs, salt, oil and bread - I can be very creative with just those ingredients, even for a few weeks🙂. I don't need any more than that, and if I do, I can buy it. And, if home/pet-sitting, I don't need any days "off". I'm there for your animals and plants for the entire stay every day. Your home will be just how you left it, or even better; I love to clean. I can keep you updated whilst you're away with a daily message, videos and photos, if you'd like that.

YOUR LOCATION, LOCAL AMMENITIES & TRANSPORT: I mostly live in pure isolation, as you'll read below and see in my photos (the images of mountains are the views from my home), yet I've also lived in massive cities like Guayaquil in Ecuador and Kampala in Uganda, working with communities, so I don't shy away from solitude and aloneness or urban settings. I love walking and hiking, so, if you have dogs, horses, donkeys or other animals that like a short or long stroll it would be my pleasure to walk with them if they're used to that (I don't ride horses anymore). Also, I don't drive anymore (I haven't driven for 20-years by choice!) and I don't cycle (but, I can hike and hike far - I'm used to walking around three to seven-hours a day in the mountains I live in, with a picnic break in the middle). However, that being said a little shop, food seller, or bar within a 60-minute walk from your home is imperative if I'm staying longer than a week because I can't drive anywhere. Usually my husband and I drive to the Sunday market for our supplies once weekly; so I'm used to solitude 6-days a week.

MY CURRENT LIFE & PERSONAL INFO: I am married to my wonderful Spanish husband and best friend Daniel, who is from Asturias - we've been together for over 17-years (see photo in 'photos'); we lived in Leeds city centre for 10-years and in Ecuador for a year before moving here. I'm originally from Wirral, UK, with Scottish and Irish roots (mostly Irish - hence why I'd love to volunteer in Ireland next year) and a very neutral British accent. I spend a lot of time alone working in countries across Africa too (rural locations like Ndhiwa, Rusinga and Mukuni and big cities like Kampala and Livingstone). Once we settled into Daniel's ancestral Asturian lands eight years ago, a month later our Carea Leonés dog Bowie arrived by magic on the doorstep, literally (see photos of Bowie). My husband happily stays at home with Bowie when I help you out - I travel alone, and travel often so this is very normal for us. We're surrounded by plenty of wildlife and have no children. Our little cottage is in a quiet village of just 15 elderly people (except us) at the near peak of a mountain, and we have an even more isolated stone cabin in the middle of the mountains, about three-four hours walk away, with no neighbours at all as far as the eye can see, where I go to write and disconnect half of the week alone (I adore pure aloneness and solitude - see photo of it's views). The wolves and bears are my regular visitors there (no humans, not even family visit), and as a conservationist that adores privacy, and protects land, I keep the location of these special places exceptionally secret and quiet.🐺

MY PERSONALITY & VALUES: You've probably guessed a lot about me already by now. I'm super friendly (well I think I am, hehe), but I do like to keep myself to myself, unless I'm directly working with people. I tend not to socialise much in my personal time, but I do work often with people (in fact, I've worked with thousands of people over my 23-year youth and community career). I love sharing cultures and stories, but I also need my space, and in my personal life I just prefer to be alone. If you are in the house I'm sitting in or farm I'm helping on, before or after you go away, I will not shy away from a good conversation over lunch or dinner, or whilst you're showing me how to help/work with your animals; I love finding out about traditions and local culture. I'm also more than happy to meet via Zoom or GoogleMeet on video, if you'd like to check that I'm right for you first. If you're in Asturias I may even be able to meet you beforehand.

I do not smoke and I have never done any drugs of any kind. I do love a wine/sidra asturiana with food, or a beer on a sunny day. In my personal life I eat local and seasonal; especially from my own allotments and the magical land and forests that we have become the loving guardians of -- bought and protected by us in this lifetime -- and we buy products from local farmers.

YOUR ACCOMMODATION & MY STAY: I'm used to living off-grid and staying in very basic conditions: outside compost loo, mud huts, candle light only, cold water from a well, bucket shower etc. However, I do prefer to sleep on a "good" mattress. I'm happy with tents, tipis and huts, but they need a mattress; not a mat, thin foam or a hammock - my back simply hates me nowadays if I sleep without one. NOTE: I do sometimes sleep out in the wilds and for this I prefer a hammock to a tent, but can only manage a hammock for a few nights. A private bedroom/sleeping area is 100% imperative for me if there are other people in your property whilst I'm there. Although I'm not vegetarian (I used to be until I moved into the rhythm of local and seasonal!), I will absolutely respect and live by the rules in your home and eat only vegetarian or vegan food, if required. And any other rules I must follow - I will. I've lived with groups of tribal people in Ecuador and Zambia and had to follow their diets, and I also strictly adhered to their cultural rules; it's a wonderful experience. The lemon ants, caterpillars and grubs were hard, but I did it with gratitude and respect. I would never disrespect any other culture, or an individual's choice/s, ever, intentionally, and I am open to learning as much as possible to adapt.

YOUR PRIVACY: I don't use social media so I will never share photos, location or videos of your home, land, animals or property. I value privacy, it's one of my top five core values, so I will also respect yours. You could even say I'm a bit pf a part-time hermit, nowadays.

ANIMALS REQUIRING MEDICATION: My uncle is a vet, I grew up watching him work with animals. and I volunteered in several veterinary/rehabilitation centres so I'm used to supporting sick animals; but, please note, I am not a vet nor a veterinary nurse and have no medical qualifications. I'm happy to administer any medications or injections that have been prescribed by a vet. I have done this for my own pets and during my BTEC ND animal care training. You must, however, show me how to administer these meds/injections before you leave, and leave me with clear written instructions. It is important that the medication is labelled and in its original box. I also expect you to leave me with a local emergency contact in case I need help (for any emergency reason), and the name, address and number of your vet. Remember, I can't drive so you need to plan a 'backup' for transport in case there's an unforeseen emergency. I also expect you to have a fire extinguisher or easy access to a hose around your animal pens (if relevant e.g. you're in a super rural location) and a basic first aid kit if you live in solitude/a very rural location. Please ensure that your pets are flea free when I'm there; it seems obvious, but one place I stayed in, not via Workaway, last year, was riddled with cat fleas. I have my own animals so I need to protect them and it isn't nice returning with your ankles covered in bites after dedicating your time voluntarily. I am not allergic to bee stings or any animals of any kind. I am allergic to feather pillows/duvets that I sleep on, but strangely when they're on the birds feathers don't seem to bother me.

MY LANGUAGE SKILLS: I'm native British. I understand Spanish very well and speak Spanish at an intermediate level; I can have a good conversation in Spanish. However, I use translation apps to translate written Spanish as that's my weakest language skill.

REFERENCES: Obviously you can see some here, and my neighbour would be happy to provide a reference (I look after his animals and home often). Also, I do have a very complete, and active, professional LinkedIn page with my certifications and accreditations (including my animal care and conservation qualifications.), videos of me delivering international training/projects, videos of my community work, and numerous reviews/recommendations from my other work colleagues/clients (not animal care, except a mention of bats!). However, I will only provide this information if you are serious about my support and if we have agreed dates and details.

I'd love to help out if I'm right for you and you're right for me. 😊
Thank you,
Leah

Interesses

Escrever

Autodesenvolvimento

Sustentabilidade

Cuidar de plantas

Fotografia

Mascotes

Naturaleza

Montanhas

Caminhada

Fazenda

Cultura

Livros

Animais

Idiomas

Inglês: Fluente
Espanhol: Intermediário

Habilidades e conhecimento para compartilhar ou aprender

Tenho interesse em:  

Cuidar de animais

House sitting

Vida na fazenda

Ajuda a cuidar da casa

Hotelaria/turismo

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Conhecimento de:  

Projetos ambientais

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Poso ensinar:  

Trabalho beneficente

Quais são suas habilidades?

Please see description for my relevant skills. 🌞

Idade

42

Algo mais...

A private bedroom or sleeping area with a sturdy mattress is required (not a mat, blow up air bed or a hammock; some sofa beds are okay if the foam isn't super thin!), and I do not want to stay in a home where people smoke indoors (I can't bear the smell of cigarettes). I like to keep myself to myself so please be aware I may not always be social, but I can be and I'm super smiley. I'm happy to meet on a video call first.

Mais algumas informações

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  Fumante

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  Carteira de motorista

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  Alergias
  Yes. I'm extremely allergic to feather bedding, pillows and duvets that I will be sleeping on: I'm not allergic to birds and can absolutely 100% look after birds! I can explain more, if required.

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  Dietas especiais
  No, none at all, except that Octopus are one of my favourite animals, so I refuse to eat them. I also refuse to eat companion animals, including horses and donkeys no matter where I am in the world. I will adapt to any/all dietary requests/requirements in