Do you want to do volunteering that makes a difference?
Go WWOOFing!
Finished those exams and not sure what to do next? If you love being outside and what to learn more about food, farming and sustainable living, making lifelong friendships along the way, why not go WWOOFing?! WWOOF hosts and other WWOOFers become your teachers, friends and team mates, working together to achieve great things.
For just £20 you can join the WWOOF UK network to find hosts. Your food and accommodation are provided in exchange for roughly half a days help each day with plenty of time off to explore the local area. Skip to the middle for a great little video “Ready for an adventure?” by Nathalie Baker.
With such a wide range of things to learn and get stuck into why wouldn’t you want to spend your time off, holiday or gap year WWOOFing? Scroll on for just a few of the things WWOOFing encompasses.
Growing food
From ground preparation, seed sowing, seedling nurturing, watering and admiring growth all the way to harvesting…
Farming animals & food crops
Haymaking, sheep shearing, milking, looking after field crops, commercial veg growing, tractor driving, feeding chickens…
Sustainable building & construction
Constructing sheds, greenhouses, polytunnels, compost bays, fruit cages, cob building, timber frames, fencing…
Cooking & processing food
Cooking seasonably, processing & preserving, jams, chutneys, fermented foods, cider, wine & cheese making…
Community & friendships
Eating, living & working together, forming strong lifelong bonds, experiencing different ways of living…
Introvert? Don’t worry
Plenty of hosts accept singular WWOOFers, have your own secluded living space, time and space to breathe in the calm…
Photo credits to – Scarlett Penn, alice@wwoof, Edward Acland, Landmatters, Ben May, Pink House, WWOOF UK staff and other WWOOF Members
Have we convinced you yet?
Duke of Edinburgh – DofE
These activities may count towards your Duke of Edinburgh Award. Depending on your hosts and the activity, it could count towards your Physical, Skills, Volunteering or Residential section, please check with your DofE Leader for applicability before applying.
Once you’ve decided to start WWOOFing
Watch this 25 minute video about how to be a ‘good WWOOFer’ & what to take with you (and what not to take)
Spend some time travelling and volunteering sustainably in the UK learning about so many different things along the way. Your main expense will be travel so, if you’re under 25, get a railcard and bus cards to help you save money if you’re going to more than one place.
