Accommodation is on site in a single room and a bathroom. You have access to all community facilities and we hope that all volunteers share fully in the life and activities of the community.

We all work and play for long hours, so your weekly day off and the occasional free weekend will be much appreciated. We pay 'pocket money' to cover basics, all board is included and some use of the cars for days off can be arranged.  If you come from outside the UK we will try to enable you to visit some cities e.g. Bristol, Salisbury , London .  If you intend to come from a developing country with lower wage rates than Western Europe, then we will try to help with transport costs.

Our 'Day' Volunteers - From Home

We are very fortunate to have a band of regular volunteers who live locally and help out on a regular basis - some of whom have been full-time members of the community in the past and who are happy to come as 'holiday cover' for a weekend or longer, as are some trustees who stay for a week or two. Others come once a week or more and fulfil specific roles:  we have three excellent cooks who provide a lunch and a supper each week, for example; volunteer drivers and 'odd-jobbers', gardening and animal experts. All work hard but even more importantly bring the gift of their personalities.

"I enjoy gardening, love flowers and have a pretty free hand playing in the walled garden at Pilsdon.  I admit that I felt an outsider at first but am now accepted by members and guests alike and am delighted when, away from Pilsdon itself, I am recognised by guests or wayfarers." Gill

"I have been connected with Pilsdon for many years.  My work, including running a similar community has always been based around farming, both with my own small farm and working in larger units.  Coming to live at Hawkchurch, just over four years ago has enabled me to have a closer involvement.  I now help with the animals both in terms of daily routines - and in creating and keeping up with the increasing number of records required by government.  There is a desk in the office for me, where I can usually be found two or three days a week working at 'animal admin' and answering the 'phone when Alan the administrator is busy.  Percy Smith's vision lives on and it is heartening to see many of those who come here gradually rebuilding their lives through being valued and accepted unconditionally."    John

Although we have no residential volunteer-vacancies at present, we like to plan ahead.  If you like the sound of the kind of life we lead, please write with some information about yourself and any skills you would particularly like to offer, along with some idea how long you might like to stay. It would be helpful if you could send a reference at the same time.  If you are coming from the UK please be prepared to come for a trial week to see whether Pilsdon is the right place for you.