Help build a natural eco-house in the beautiful Lake District

Help a sustainable project: 14 travelers confirmed that this host is actively contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone!
Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with nature: 14 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Connect with international travelers: 12 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

30h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

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What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Tent: You will sleep in a tent at a camping site.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

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Availability

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Stay at least: 2 weeks

Stay up to: 2 weeks

The Experience

We are building a roundwood timber-frame house on a stunning 13-acre (5ha) site just outside Kendal as part of a small co-housing development with 4 other families. We have started by building a 9m x 5m building (using the same building technique and almost all natural materials) which we are now living in. We will shortly need help with construction of the frame for the main building, as well as developing food growing areas.

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Requirements

Intermediate English
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers
Mandatory volunteer introduction video

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

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Connect with those who will also be there

Become a Verified Member and exchange ideas before your trip with other worldpackers who will be volunteering in the same place as you.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals

Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.

Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Sustainable cities and communities

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy.

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16 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Sustainable Community

4.5

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

14 Get in touch with nature
12 Meeting international travelers
11 Learning about sustainability
10 Meeting locals
9 Developing environmental awareness
7 Immersing in the local culture

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

10 13. Climate action
8 7. Affordable and clean energy
8 11. Sustainable cities and communities

daji

France

We couldn't have had a better experience for a first volunteering experience. Rick and Ruthie are pleasant people who do their best to make you feel good. The project is interesting and we are proud to have contributed to the construction of their dream house. Working hours are respected. Ruthie cooks delicious vegetarian and healthy dishes. Outside of working hours Ruthie and Rick took us to see the scenery of the Lake District which was wow. We also met members of the HHF community and had a great time with their pets. This experience will be forever etched in our memories.

10 months ago

Sofia

Spain

An amazing experience! It was my first volunteer experience and I wouldn't change a thing. I felt welcomed from the beginning, Ruth and Rick are such genuine people, they always make sure you feel comfortable. They convey a lot of passion for the project which is really incredible, based on sharing and sustainable living. Personally, I found the work fun and entertaining, it's amazing to see how everything is taking shape and how you participate in it. The food was spectacular, varied and delicious. I felt very loved and connected a lot with them and their project. I would love to come back!

10 months ago

Vasu

India

My time with Rick and Ruthie was absolutely amazing, and I'm not sure 600 words are enough to express how great it was! I felt right at home. Rick's global stories and knowledge kept me engaged and I learned so much. Ruthie's cooking is amazing—her quiche is unforgettable! She's also a gardening pro. Getting to know them was pure joy—they're so warm and welcoming. Helping with their dream home was a truly special experience, and I can't wait to see how it all turns out. I left with new skills and wonderful friends. Highly recommend staying with them—don't miss Ruthie's incredible quiche!

10 months ago

Joao

Brazil

This experience was incredible for me, Rick is a very friendly host, my English is beginner and he helped me and encouraged me to practice my English more, in addition to the comfort that he and his wife offered us, Rick and Ruthie have very good cuisine , healthy and tasty (I'm going to miss it hahaha). I want to thank you for the tours and the magnificent places you took us to visit. Thank you hosts, I will miss you!

11 months ago

Marcos

Brazil

Rick and Ruth are incredible hosts, polite and easygoing. They both have a lot of patience to teach new words in their language. Rick knows how to lead a team well and we work in incredible harmony which resulted in effective and positive volunteering. The environment is very peaceful with a peaceful energy. I was very happy to be invited to go hiking and discover new places in England. Ruthie welcomed us very well and provided wonderful gastronomic experiences, the vegetarian cuisine is sensational and expanded my mind and made me realize that we can eat healthily without eating meat.

11 months ago

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About the host

Hosted by Rick

Response Rate: This host usually answers to 70% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in Less than a day

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Academy

How to become an outstanding Worldpacker

Understand how the volunteer experience works, what hosts value in exchange and what it's like to live collaborating with people from all over the world!

45min
4.7

Academy

Eco Certificate for Volunteers: Basic Concepts

Learn about ecological projects and travel with purpose. Receive a certificate of completion for this course, increase your chances of acceptance by hosts, and expand your volunteering opportunities, contributing to a positive impact on the world during your travels.