Volunteer opportunities
Below you'll find volunteering opportunities for all manner of green building projects. We're scouring the UK and Europe to bring you straw bale building projects, rammed earth projects, cob and light earth building projects, hemp and lime projects, timber projects and many more besides.
UK
Yurt Building in West Wales
April 2012 onwards. Friendly family in West Carmarthenshire in the process of setting up a retreat and eco-holiday centre. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with a range of projects in 2012, including yurt building, preparing and landscaping a small yurt field and eco renovation of a small barn for shower block. We live on an organic farm so some maintenance/farming/garden work possible. Comfortable caravan accommodation and meals provided in return for work- If you are interested contact Guy for more information: ndavies_puddy@hotmail.com
April 2012 onwards. Friendly family in West Carmarthenshire in the process of setting up a retreat and eco-holiday centre. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with a range of projects in 2012, including yurt building, preparing and landscaping a small yurt field and eco renovation of a small barn for shower block. We live on an organic farm so some maintenance/farming/garden work possible. Comfortable caravan accommodation and meals provided in return for work- If you are interested contact Guy for more information: ndavies_puddy@hotmail.com
Cottage Restoration Project, Corris, Mid Wales
"We are about to purchase an old cottage in Corris. We are working to a very tight budget and want to lime plaster the interior walls, insulate ceilings etc. We currently need volunteers to help lime plaster." Email Barry for more information: barryeveleigh@aol.com.
"We are about to purchase an old cottage in Corris. We are working to a very tight budget and want to lime plaster the interior walls, insulate ceilings etc. We currently need volunteers to help lime plaster." Email Barry for more information: barryeveleigh@aol.com.
The Meadow Orchard Project, North London
Community Building in Progress A a community meadow in North London of around 2 acres, that we want to protect and grow into an orchard, a healing garden, a wildlife sanctuary and an edible forest garden - to inspire, to feed, to heal and to educate about permaculture food growing practices and a truly sustainable living. We are currently constructing a community building in conjunction with Cob In The Community to be used for education, meetings and socialising. This will be part cob, part straw bale with a stem wall of rammed earth tyres, and with a reciprocal shingle roof, thus providing opportunities to learn a variety of techniques. Volunteer days and workshops are running throughout October (and beyond...depending on the weather) Website here Facebook Page here Other Facebook page here  | 
South Wales Tyre & Straw Bale Project
Over the spring, summer and autumn of 2012, there will be ongoing work helping construct a straw bale building at the back of a garden. The work will include plenty of digging & tyre ramming, along with straw bale raising and plastering. The building will also have a green roof installed. Volunteers will be greeted with friendly workers, unlimited supplies of tea and cake and some homebrew beer for the evenings. Please sign up to the newsletter on http://www.inglepingle.co.uk which will allow more information to be sent out on dates when they become available. 
Down to Earth, Gower, South Wales
Various Ongoing Projects 'Down to Earth Project is a social enterprise specialising in Sustainability Education and Natural Building. Based on a beautiful site on the Gower Peninsula, Swansea, we offer a range of groundbreaking programmes for ‘disaffected’ young people and training programmes for adults in Traditional and Natural Building methods. As a centre for Sustainability Education (ESDGC), we offer educational programmes and training for workers from informal and formal educational sectors. We also work with schools and community organisations to design and build beautiful outdoor spaces using natural materials.' www.downtoearthproject.org.uk |
Clayworks, in Cornwall
Outdoor Classroom in Progress Clayworks normally has cob building projects on the go and are keen to have volunteers help out. They currently have a cob project, you could help with. It is a stone, cob, oak and turf roof structure that they are building as an outdoor classroom for a local primary school down in Cornwall. Find Clayworks here Link to facebook page here | 
The Centre for Alternative Technology,
Machynlleth, Mid Wales: Long Term opportunities, March/September start The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in mid-Wales takes Long Term Volunteers every March and September to volunteer full time with particular departments. Centre for Alternative Technology Contact michelle.clarke@cat.org.uk. |
The Orchard Barn Project, Suffolk A new eco-project being undertaken We are currently trying to complete a big cob wall whilst the Indian summer continues. Beyond that we will be applying clay render, making it an oak shingle roof, then looking at setting up a rainwater harvesting and purification system, laying cobble stones in the yard and a chalk floor in part of the barn and so on. We are looking for volunteer help with all of these projects - especially the rainwater purification part. http://www.orchardbarn.org.uk/Vounteers.htm | 
Low Carbon Trust, Brighton, England
Ongoing opportunities Low Carbon Trust offers a wide range of educational experiences ranging from training courses, tours, sustainable education to volunteering opportunities on our various projects. We have opportunities for volunteers to support our training courses and on live projects as well. If you are interested in volunteering, then please contact info@lowcarbon.co.uk. http://www.lowcarbon.co.uk/education/volunteering |
Pembroke Dock Eco Houses, Pembrokeshire, West Wales
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106433309412872&v=wall
This project involves the building of a pair of urban load-bearing straw bale houses in Pembroke Dock, West Wales. The project will be hosting a free event for volunteers focusing on making and applying clay plaster to the inside of the straw and lime render to the outside. Basic accommodation is available in the houses. Photos of the build to date are on facebook - follow link above to group "Pembroke Dock Eco Houses". Please contact mail@sureline.org.uk if you'd like to know more.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106433309412872&v=wall
This project involves the building of a pair of urban load-bearing straw bale houses in Pembroke Dock, West Wales. The project will be hosting a free event for volunteers focusing on making and applying clay plaster to the inside of the straw and lime render to the outside. Basic accommodation is available in the houses. Photos of the build to date are on facebook - follow link above to group "Pembroke Dock Eco Houses". Please contact mail@sureline.org.uk if you'd like to know more.
Straw Bale Barn Restoration, Hollingdon
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Straw-bale-restoration-in-Hollingdon/206554409395198
I am restoring an old barn with straw infill and lime rendering. We have run courses on straw building and now will be rendering. If any volunteers would like to assist we will happily feed and have room for tents or plenty of room in the barn.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Straw-bale-restoration-in-Hollingdon/206554409395198
I am restoring an old barn with straw infill and lime rendering. We have run courses on straw building and now will be rendering. If any volunteers would like to assist we will happily feed and have room for tents or plenty of room in the barn.
Timber frame building project in a woodland in Herefordshire, England: Ongoing project.
This exciting project is a good opportunity to gain experience in round wood construction and green wood working. All food included and a chance to camp out and eat food cooked on the open fire (or in the outside covered kitchen!). Call Sherwood Keogh 07980 867464 for more details.
This exciting project is a good opportunity to gain experience in round wood construction and green wood working. All food included and a chance to camp out and eat food cooked on the open fire (or in the outside covered kitchen!). Call Sherwood Keogh 07980 867464 for more details.
Help required with building a straw bale house in Charente, France: from June 2012
We are building a single story load bearing cottage with external lime render and either lime or earth plaster on the inside. The foundation is rubble trench and the floor will be poured adobe. We start the wall raising on the 2nd of June and the rendering will be starting on the 9th of June. The build is based in the Charente, France, with the closest airport Limoges. We can provide a certain amount if accommodation but that is almost full up and we have heaps of camping space.
Contact: napcat@hotmail.com
We are building a single story load bearing cottage with external lime render and either lime or earth plaster on the inside. The foundation is rubble trench and the floor will be poured adobe. We start the wall raising on the 2nd of June and the rendering will be starting on the 9th of June. The build is based in the Charente, France, with the closest airport Limoges. We can provide a certain amount if accommodation but that is almost full up and we have heaps of camping space.
Contact: napcat@hotmail.com
Lilac (Low Impact Living Affordable Community), Leeds, England: Winter 2011/2012
http://www.lilac.coop/
Get involved in the UK's pioneering eco cohousing project. Lilac (Low Impact Living Affordable Community) aims to build the UK's first affordable ecological cohousing project in Leeds. We will be on site this autumn building 20 homes. There will be volunteer opportunities this winter (2012) over a six week period to help us build the Modcell (www.modcell.com) wall panels that will form part of Lilac. We will be looking for volunteers who can spend a few days or better a few weeks with us and under guidance you will learn basic skills in prefabricated straw, timber and lime wall construction. This will be unpaid and you will need to arrange your own food and accommodation. Email: info@lilac.coop.
http://www.lilac.coop/
Get involved in the UK's pioneering eco cohousing project. Lilac (Low Impact Living Affordable Community) aims to build the UK's first affordable ecological cohousing project in Leeds. We will be on site this autumn building 20 homes. There will be volunteer opportunities this winter (2012) over a six week period to help us build the Modcell (www.modcell.com) wall panels that will form part of Lilac. We will be looking for volunteers who can spend a few days or better a few weeks with us and under guidance you will learn basic skills in prefabricated straw, timber and lime wall construction. This will be unpaid and you will need to arrange your own food and accommodation. Email: info@lilac.coop.
Europe
Help construct strawbales houses in Central Ukraine, Baranivka village from 1st of May to 15th of October. You may join our team for a period from 2 weeks to 3 months.
The building of the house is a part of the project, which mission is to create a free-spirited meeting place, open to everyone, that is aimed at the harmonious development of individuals and society.
The future house will be:
The building of the house is a part of the project, which mission is to create a free-spirited meeting place, open to everyone, that is aimed at the harmonious development of individuals and society.
The future house will be:
- a meeting place for those who strive to change their lives and the life of their communities through practicing awareness, responsibility, service and integrity.
- a training centre that helps visitors to gain inspiration, knowledge and skills and to strengthen their desire to bring positive change to their society.
- a place to inspire and implement a variety of initiatives: cultural, ecological, educational, peace-building, social, etc.
- Food (including vegetarian option) and accommodation (there are few places in the house and almost unlimited opportunities for camping).
- Opportunity to experience and learn technology of house construction from straw bales.
- Life in nature – hills, an apple garden, a pine forest and a river Psiol are situated nearby. Besides, there are amazingly beautiful sunsets!
- Entertainment and learning opportunities: different workshops, trainings and excursions are possible to organise.
- Good company and unusual acquaintances!
- To have experience in building from strawbales or to be interested to learn;
- To be over 18 years old or to come together with parents
- To be ready for teamwork.
- To share universal principles of respect and integrity and be ready to follow rules of the house (we don’t use alcohol and drugs, smoke at a specially allocated place and try to keep quiet after 11 pm).
- To fill in this simple application form.
More details about the project you may find here: www.baranivka.org/en/
PermaLot Centre of Natural Building, Moravia, Czech Republic: Ongoing volunteer opportunities
www.permalot.org
www.jen-sen.cz
A quaint rural permaculture homestead, we offer a series of weekend courses and events, significantly we hosted the European Straw Bale Gathering in 2011.
We always have a wide selection of ongoing natural building projects going on, as well as tending vegetables, fruit and animals on our 17 hectares...oh; and a forest kindergarten!
We can frequently use an extra hand (or 6), however much depends on the right chemistry between us. In brief feel free to contact us if your personality can fit through our 1x2 m gate, if you are aware that you have more to learn and are able to help out more than being a burden...!
www.permalot.org
www.jen-sen.cz
A quaint rural permaculture homestead, we offer a series of weekend courses and events, significantly we hosted the European Straw Bale Gathering in 2011.
We always have a wide selection of ongoing natural building projects going on, as well as tending vegetables, fruit and animals on our 17 hectares...oh; and a forest kindergarten!
We can frequently use an extra hand (or 6), however much depends on the right chemistry between us. In brief feel free to contact us if your personality can fit through our 1x2 m gate, if you are aware that you have more to learn and are able to help out more than being a burden...!