Great Britain Projects 2009
LECKMELM FARM I, Ullapool (18 April - 02 May)
The project is based on Leckmelm Farm, south of Ullapool, in a particularly beautiful part of NW Scotland. Leckmelm Farm aims to develop an organic market garden using permaculture design. The aim of the project is ecosystem enhancement.
Work: On an organic farm with some day-to-day tasks such as vegetation management, work with vegetables and animals. The project with focus on a community-led archaeological project with regard to the restoration of an historic stone a thatch house. Work will involve stone walling, clearance of stones, fencing and digging a drain.
Study: Permaculture design and ecosystem enhancement.
Accommodation: In a holiday cottage, with bath, shower, and kitchen. Bedding is provided but a sleeping bag would be useful for a trip to the bothy.
Code: UK-GB-6.01
Topic: Environment
Number of volunteers: 6
Minimum age: 18
Maximum age: 70
THE WYLDSIDE PROJECT, Dorset (14 June – 28 June)
The project will create a circular trail around the grounds for the use of the public and will bring environmental improvements to an already diverse and beautiful site by creating a wildlife pond and doing some much-needed bramble-bashing. This will create a woodland, riverside, herb-rich meadow, wildlife pond and orchard ecosystems with observation points along the way, a valuable resource for the local community. A strawbale house will be used as an interpretation centre and teaching space.
Work: volunteers will work together, sometimes alongside local volunteer groups, under the direction of our land use managers.
Accommodation: Is in shared single sex rooms: some twin, some three/four bed. There are showers and toilets. The volunteers will eat with the team in our community dining room. All food is vegetarian.
Code: UK-GB-02
Topic: Environment
Number of volunteers: 6
Minimum age: 18
Maximum age: 70
RUBHA PHOIL FOREST GARDEN, Isle Of Skye (13 June – 27 June)
Rubha Phoil is a well wooded peninsula situated near the Armadale ferry terminal on the Sleat peninsula of Skye. This area is known as the Garden of Skye because of it's deep peat soils and mild climate.
By creating a woodland walk, it is planned to promote the Rubha as an educational resource and aims to offer a wide variety of educational activities.
Work: Each volunteer will help with Woodland Walk path-making and bracken, rhodedendron clearing. Some heavy work will be involved for a short time bringing stones up from beach. Clearing small area of brambles to erect raised beds for food production. Bringing seaweed from beach. Learn to demolish and dispose/recycle caravan safely. Help design replacement structure.
Accomodation: Volunteers will be living in basic caravan accommodation. Please bring own sleeping bag and waterproofs. No mains power in caravans. Electric shower available and compost toilet in idyllic secluded woodland.
Study: Will have an opportunity to learn about organic growing techniques and construction of raised beds. Well stocked library on Permaculture, Environment, Food Production, Health, Herbs cordwood and log building etc.
Code: UK-GB-6.03
Topic: Environment
Number of volunteers: 6
Minimum age: 18
Maximum age: 70
TARA BUDDHIST CENTRE I, Derbyshire (08 June – 21 June)
TARA BUDDHIST CENTRE II, Derbyshire (17 August – 30 August)
The Centre is based at Ashe Hall which is an old manor house built in1867. It is surrounded by 38 acres of land. For the past 3 years, we have not been able to maintain the lovely grounds due to not having the staff. There are four fields which need weeds clearing, re establishing trees which have not been looked after and a general tidy up. There are the ponds and the beautiful gardens which are now very much over grown. There is a woodlands walk which is on the side of the fields require cutting back and tidying.
Work: Weeding, re-establishing trees, gardening restoring ponds and the gardens, some decorating.
Accomodation: In Ashe hall dormitory rooms, (separate male and female rooms). Sharing communal bathroom facilities.
Study: Volunteers are able to attend any meditation classes held here during their stay free of charge.
Code: UK-GB-6.04 / UK-GB-6.05
Topic: Environment
Number of volunteers: 15
Minimum age: 18
Maximum age: 70
ENVIRONMENTAL ARTS, GOWANBANK, West Lothian (13 June – 04 July)
Gowanbank Enviromental Arts was formed by a group of friends restoring historic buildings and landscape for the past 16 years. They have an interest in innovative and environmentally conscientious new log buildings. Eleven years ago a social element was incorporated into community activity by welcoming and training homeless young adults.
Work: Work will involve mostly tree-planting and landscaping the grounds. Some laying out paths, building stone walls and planting shrubs and flowers.
Accommodation: Will be in a bunk house or log-cabins. Food will be vegetarian.
Study: There will be a chance to observe and learn about the construction of an Eco-friendly log cabin.
Code: UK-GB-6.06
Topic: Environment
Number of volunteers: 10
Minimum age: 18
Maximum age: 70
SCOTTISH CHURCHES HOUSE, Dunblane (18 July – 25 July)
Scottish Churches House is a conference centre belonging to all the Scottish churches together. It was created at the end of 1950s out of the conversion of some 18th century cottages on the Cathedral Square in Dunblane, with a large, secluded garden and mediaeval chapel behind the house.
Work: To continue the international workcamp tradition including gardening, wall-building, interior decorating, internal and external wood and metalwork painting and maintenance work.
Accommodation: In comfortable twin rooms with shared facilities in the main house.
Study: Theology, arts and counter-culture
Code: UK-GB-11.01
Topic: Others
Number of volunteers: 12
Minimum age: 18
Maximum age: 70
BOTTON VILLAGE, North Yorkshire (15 March – 21 March)
Camphill centre created to offer opportunities to adults with learning disabilities and other special needs, Botton Village has grown to become the largest Camphill community today, continuing to develop our support for vulnerable people to meet changing individual needs and aspirations. Botton is home to around 280 people including 130 with special needs. The village and its five farms nestle in Danby Dale in the beautiful North York Moors National Park.
Work: The work will be alongside the special needs adults, who live in the community as their home, on jobs around the farm, forest, garden, dairy and bakery.
Accomodation: in an 18 bed hostel in the community and mainly self catering.
Study: Volunteers will have to supply references to comply with British legislation regarding Children and Vulnerable adults.
Code: UK-GB-4.01
Topic: Others
Number of volunteers: 4
Maximum age: 70
Minimum age: 18
