Great British Projects 2010
Great British Projects 2010
UK-IVS 6.1 Monkton Wyld Court (Dorset)
11 Jul – 24 Jul
Number of volunteers: 8
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. 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: The work will involve creating levels around the insides of the drained pond in order to create space for biodiversity, a potentially species-rich environment for the enjoyment and enrichment of the local public, the community and a high number of visiting guests and volunteers throughout the year. IVS volunteers will work alongside our land manager and other members of the community as well as other volunteers.
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.
Study: Volunteers will learn about ecosystems and bio-diversity.
UK-IVS 6.2 Leckmelm (Ullapool)
25 Sep -09 Oct
Number of volunteers: 6
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 will focus on a community-led archaeological project with regard to the restoration of an historic stone and thatch house. Work will involve stone walling, clearance of stones, fencing and digging a drain.
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.
Study: Permaculture design and ecosystem enhancement.
UK-IVS 6.3 Environmental Arts I, Gowanbank (West Lothian)
17 April – 1 May
Number of volunteers: 14
Gowanbank Environmental 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: Volunteers will be tree planting and restoring a stone wall to help complete the restoration. As well as this, there is also costume making for a children’s project promoting healthy eating with the theme of fruit and vegetables.
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: Topic: Environment
UK-IVS 6.4 Environmental Arts II, Gowanbank, (West Lothian)
31 Jul - 14 Aug
Number of volunteers: 17
Gowanbank Environmental 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:Volunteers will be repairing dry stone walls, landscape work, garden work, traditional fence making using hewn timber, some interior works.
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.
UK-IVS 6.5 Rubha Phoil Forest Garden (Isle of Skye)
10/4/10 – 24/4/10
Number of volunteers: 4
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 its deep peat soils and mild climate.
When the current owner of Rubha Phoil took over the site 20 years ago it was an abandoned tree plantation. Since then, Rubha Phoil has been developed into a forest garden and woodland walk, along with the building of several buildings made from local wood from the site.
Work: To develop organic growing and create an eco campsite. Volunteers on this project will be helping with the ongoing conservation of the forest garden and the upkeep of the woodland walk. Also they will be helping to prepare the eco campsite.
Accommodation: Volunteers will be staying in one of the basic wooden buildings made with local wood by previous volunteers. An electric shower is available, and a 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.
X: In their free-time volunteers will have the chance to explore the island of Skye, such as the Cuillin mountain range, and learn about the environment and more about the history of this beautiful area of Scotland.
UK-IVS 11.1 Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre (Ulverston)
5 Jun – 19 Jun
Number of volunteers: 20
Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre is the first Kadampa temple of its kind to be built in Britain in 1994. It was built by the Buddhist community at Conishead Priory to provide a place for quiet reflection and spiritual inspiration. The centre is located at the southern end of the English Lake District and it provides a peaceful and inspiring environment in which people from all walks of life can learn about Buddhism and meditation.
W: The work will be based on repairing of a woodland walk alongside a stream, paths through mature woodland and garden stone staircases. If skills are available also rebuilding a garden wall.
A: The accommodation will be in dorms (separate male and female). The food is all vegetarian with cooked meals both at lunch and supper. Breakfast is cereal etc.
S: During the two weeks stay volunteers can attend 5 meditation classes that will be free of charge. There is also a Meditation Weekend Retreat starting on the evening of the 18th June which volunteers can attend for only £20 (would normally be £70 in a dorm for the weekend).
UK-IVS 11.2 Scottish Churches House (Dunblane)
30 Aug -11 Sep
Number of volunteers: 12
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.
UK-IVS 11.3 Camphill Botton (Yorkshire)
17 Jul – 1 Aug
Number of volunteers: 8
Botton Village is a land based community belonging to the Camphill Movement. About 60 co-workers and special needs people work full time on the land (about 350 hectares) and in the summer many extra hands are needed to get the work done on farms, gardens and forest. Since 1955 the land has been under biodynamic cultivation (for more background info google biodynamic association). The village is situated in a stunning natural environment as it lies in the heart of the Yorkshire National Parks which offers great opportunities for hiking.
Work: The project’s focus is on the harvesting of soft fruit, herbs and summer maintenance of those areas , weeding, etc. Also there will be some light forestry work and other occurring seasonal land work activities. In case of very bad weather, we will do some maintenance painting. The work activities will be planned with a lot of diversity in the activities during the week. Most of the time you will work as a team but there will be also plenty of opportunities to mix in with the other co-workers and people with special needs.
Accommodation: You will stay in simple group accommodation on one of our farms which offers cooking facilities, male and female shared bedrooms and a living room.
Study: Introductions will be given on biodynamic agriculture, Camphill Community living and other relevant subjects which might arise during your stay. We will encourage cultural and social integration with the village population.
UK-IVS 11.4 Interfaith (Leicester) PVP
09 Aug- 21 Aug
Number of volunteers: 10
The project will be in the name of Piere Ceresole the
founder of SCI. The project will look at the work of SCI
and IVS.
Full details to follow.
UK-IVS 11.5 Earth Connections (Isle of Eigg)
19 Jun - 29 Jun
Number of volunteers: 10
The Earth Connections Project is developing an exciting new low-energy living course to help people take practical steps to live more lightly on the planet. In partnership with IVS we are planning a trial project with volunteers in June 2010, on the beautiful Isle of Eigg.
Join us on an exciting 10 day course to transform your life to a low-energy lifestyle. Learn practical, low cost skills to reduce your carbon footprint and energy consumption, and also help us to finish our renovation work. W: Activities will include food growing, energy efficiency and eco-renovation work.
A: Is in the Centre, an old house, in twin rooms with shared bathrooms and showers, food is vegetarian and organic.
S: alongside study/workshops on climate change and social/environmental justice. Participants will be empowered with new skills and ideas to help themselves and others back in their homes and communities to make positive changes to their lifestyles.
X: Find out more about ecology and environmental issues whilst exploring the wilderness of Eigg.
UK-IVS 11.6 Holy Rood House Centre (Thirsk)
15 Aug -29 Aug
Number of volunteers: 20
Set on the edge of the beautiful Hambleton Hills in the charming Yorkshire market town of Thirsk the Centre for Health and Pastoral Care is a small community whose charitable aim is to “relieve those in need, in particular the sick and those in poor health.” The House will be closed to guests for the duration of the project.
W: The volunteers will undertake some gardening and grounds maintenance, including the rebuilding of our Labyrinth; which is modelled on the meditative practice of Chartres Cathedral (but on a much smaller scale). There is opportunity for work with our animals as we enhance their enclosure and paddock. Within the houses there will be teams involved in painting and decorating, assisting with basic maintenance and a deep clean of the facilities.
A: Home comforts, beautiful surroundings and comfy beds, are all enhanced for the volunteers by the provision of splendid home cooked meals. We will have a good pace of work and coffee breaks with home baking. If for no other reason: for the cakes themselves it is worth volunteering!
S: The opportunity to stay in a gentle therapeutic setting where there will be some workshops on meditation techniques, a seminar on the work of Holy Rood House, the chance to use the library and some of the arts facilities as well as the reflective spaces of the house and grounds. There will be training in conflict resolution by IVS which will be “dove-tailed” by the option of experiencing a number of spiritual and meditative programmes.