Our new website

May 18, 2019

It’s been several months since our new website was launched, probably just about enough time for all of us to reflect a little on the change.

Some people have pointed out to us that the previous WWOOF UK site was fine, and asked why change it? Some of the reasons are:

  • WWOOF UK’s old site was nine years old and very complex. 
  • WWOOF around the world has long wanted to unite its look, resources and technology and it was WWOOF Canada who took the bull by the horns to develop a new site.
  • When they’d finished, and in great co-operative spirit, they gifted the new website to the Federation of WWOOF Organisations (FoWO) and this Common WWOOF Platform (CWP) was born.
  • It makes sense for us here in the UK to join the initiative and become part of the wider WWOOF community, using our time and money to support a collaborative resource, rather than continue trying to ‘go it alone’ or stick with our old tech. Many other WWOOF organisations around the world, both large and small, have already adopted the new platform and there are many more to come.
  • Volunteer organisations similar to WWOOF are using systems with features that members like and are demanding. WWOOF must be innovative too or it will go the way of the Dodo.

The launch was generally very successful given just how complicated the process of setting up the new site and transferring all the data was. We’ve had tremendous help and support from our colleagues at FoWO before, during and since the launch; very dedicated help during the transition from Chris Cant who provided IT support for our old site, and incredibly committed work from WWOOF UK team members Scarlett Penn and Taryn Field who have both been on a huge learning curve to get us this far. Thank you to everyone who has given so much.

There are some lovely new features on the current website which need to be explored so that you can make the most of them, and we have lost a few of the customised features we had grown used to on the old site.

There have inevitably been some teething troubles and we are very grateful for your patience as we try to deal with them – some things we wouldn’t have found without your feedback which shows how important it is for us to hear from you. Please stay in touch and bear with us we try to find solutions.

Our colleagues at FoWO are working very hard to roll out planned new features for the website that will help hosts and WWOOFers manage their stays more easily. We are able to suggest improvements when we identify a need but implementing them is now with the international developers and there is a new global voting system so we can’t necessarily prioritise in the way we used to.

Thanks again for your patience and please stay in touch with us with your feedback and questions.

Episode 7 – Claudio Pozzi

Episode 7 – Claudio Pozzi

The guest of this episode is Claudio Pozzi from WWOOF Italia. Despite being the founder of WWOOF Italia, Claudio played a key role in the early development of the Federation of WWOOF Organisation. His long term involvement and his vision of the WWOOF movement are very...

WWOOF UK needs YOU! We’re recruiting Trustees

WWOOF UK needs YOU! We’re recruiting Trustees

Would you like to join an existing group of five dedicated individuals who are committed to overseeing the direction of WWOOF UK? Do you want to help more people experience first-hand the meaningful connection to self, land and others that immersion in a low impact...

25% off WWOOF UK membership until 2nd April

25% off WWOOF UK membership until 2nd April

Use discount code DAFFODILS when you sign up before the 2nd April for a 25% discount on any WWOOF UK membership. Don't be an April fool and miss out on this great discount! We have lots of hosts eagerly awaiting new enthusiastic WWOOFers for the season, and plenty of...

Follow up ‘Rat Control’ responses

Follow up ‘Rat Control’ responses

Thank you all for such a great array of responses to the #PennToPaper Rat Control article in the last newsletter. If you didn’t get around to reading it or want to refresh your memory, then here’s the link. Read on to explore the answers you all contributed, and don't...

Lesley Gorski a WWOOFing legacy

Lesley Gorski a WWOOFing legacy

Last year, we received the sombre news that long-standing WWOOFer Lesley Gorski had passed away. We were very saddened to hear this news as Lesley was well known by WWOOF staff, and had been one of the last remaining old-school members still using the...