Escape from the abbey

[kenneal - lagger]

I've only just found this post. I'd noticed your change of name again and wondered if you'd been let out early for good behaviour! Welcome back and if you're ever passing you're welcome to call in for a cuppa or a journey break.

[Bandidoz]

"Off Topic" is where all the stuff that's hardly related to PO goes - it's usually moved to there by a moderator.

I've moved this topic to "Preparations"; seems like the most appropriate section.

[emordnilap]

LOL - and welcome back Tess.

Why is this under "Off-Topic"?

Cos I put it there?

So you're a moderator here Tess? Just wondering, that's all. It's good that you are, I approve.

[featherstick]

Wow. Lots of big decisions for you in the last couple of years. Sounds like you're on a really interesting journey. I'm glad you'll be able to post here a bit more. Welcome back.

[RevdTess]

So you're a moderator here Tess? Just wondering, that's all. It's good that you are, I approve.

Yes I've been a mod for a few years, from when I was an oil market analyst. I couldn't do much moderating from a convent though

I didn't realise I needed to be a mod to start my own thread in off-topic; I just thought it was a suitable place. Still, 'Preparations' is fine. I maintain that forming (or integrating yourself into) communities (as tightly knit as possible) is the best type of preparation for economic hardships and disruption. And it's a pretty nice thing to do even when the economy isn't dying. In a good community you find yourself learning new skills all the time, and it improves your sense of self-worth to be able to contribute your own abilities and effort to everyone's wellbeing. There's nothing quite like being completely affirmed, accepted and loved by those closest to you. Not all communities are happy places of course, but most of us probably have good internal radar for that kind of dysfunction by now.

[RevdTess]

I don't know if I mentioned where I'm living at the moment. I'm here which is a former farm between Exeter and Dartmoor now converted to a Christian retreat centre primarily supporting church ministers and their families who need time out from the rather intense work they do especially in deprived areas and prisons and hospitals. I'm doing a mixture of cooking, cleaning, gardening and office admin and computer work. It's a lot more relaxed than the abbey though. I even get days off. Last week I went walking on nearby Dartmoor for the first time for a few years and I was so happy to be there again I was jumping up and down with excitement. Such a stunningly beautiful part of the world...

[Ballard]

Nice to have you back Tess.

[biffvernon]

I don't know if I mentioned where I'm living at the moment. I'm here which is a former farm between Exeter and Dartmoor..

From the home page:

...plus Pig Pens for private retreats

I daren't click the link.

[RevdTess]

From the home page:

...plus Pig Pens for private retreats

I daren't click the link.

Allegedly there was a charitable funding body that withdrew their support over that name... The Pig Pens are some of the best accommodation on site! And I'm living in one of the Hen Runs.

[biffvernon]

Ok, I checked the Pig Pens. Wow, happy pigs.

[lurker]

How does it work.


Sorry being nosey

Is it rent/bill free accomadation?

Volunteer work in lieu of ren &t do you have a set number of hrs per week to make sure everyone pulls there weight?

[RevdTess]

How does it work.

Sorry being nosey

Is it rent/bill free accomadation?

Volunteer work in lieu of ren &t do you have a set number of hrs per week to make sure everyone pulls there weight?

Actually that's a good question. There is no hard and fast rule. People have different needs and capabilities. In this particular charity there are community members who have committed to being here for a certain number of years, there are alongsiders who are here for months rather than years but don't get as much say in how things are done, there are volunteers who come for maybe a week to help out on a particular project (such as cooking for an event or outdoors maintenance work), and there are paid staff (cleaners, outdoor maintenance and reception staff) who are all part time.

I'm currently an alongsider so I'll answer from that perspective. I am working 6 days a week, roughly 6 hours a day. My accommodation and food are included. I don't pay any other bills. The only thing I pay for is when I want to buy drinks from the bar, or anything from the on-site shop etc, or when I want to buy toiletries in the weekly grocery order.

I find the work quite hard because I've spent my working life sat in front of computers or studying, and now my week is split roughly in thirds between cleaning, cooking and admin work in reception, with a bit of gardening. I don't really get much choice about what I do, but if someone has a love of one thing and a hatred of another then every attempt is made to let them do what they find fulfilling. There are lots of maintenance jobs as well for those with a fondness for machinery and tractors. . It's a very comfortable and happy place to be in stunning countryside. We do work hard though. It feels more like a normal job than the sort of relaxed volunteering where you choose for yourself when you 'put the hours in'. The focus is always on making sure the guests have the best possible experience. This place doesn't exist for the sake of the community or volunteers, but for the guests, and that flavours the whole experience of being here.

Hope that helps.

[Little John]

How does it work.

Sorry being nosey

Is it rent/bill free accomadation?

Volunteer work in lieu of ren &t do you have a set number of hrs per week to make sure everyone pulls there weight?

Actually that's a good question. There is no hard and fast rule. People have different needs and capabilities. In this particular charity there are community members who have committed to being here for a certain number of years, there are alongsiders who are here for months rather than years but don't get as much say in how things are done, there are volunteers who come for maybe a week to help out on a particular project (such as cooking for an event or outdoors maintenance work), and there are paid staff (cleaners, outdoor maintenance and reception staff) who are all part time.

I'm currently an alongsider so I'll answer from that perspective. I am working 6 days a week, roughly 6 hours a day. My accommodation and food are included. I don't pay any other bills. The only thing I pay for is when I want to buy drinks from the bar, or anything from the on-site shop etc, or when I want to buy toiletries in the weekly grocery order.

I find the work quite hard because I've spent my working life sat in front of computers or studying, and now my week is split roughly in thirds between cleaning, cooking and admin work in reception, with a bit of gardening. I don't really get much choice about what I do, but if someone has a love of one thing and a hatred of another then every attempt is made to let them do what they find fulfilling. There are lots of maintenance jobs as well for those with a fondness for machinery and tractors. . It's a very comfortable and happy place to be in stunning countryside. We do work hard though. It feels more like a normal job than the sort of relaxed volunteering where you choose for yourself when you 'put the hours in'. The focus is always on making sure the guests have the best possible experience. This place doesn't exist for the sake of the community or volunteers, but for the guests, and that flavours the whole experience of being here.

Hope that helps.

On the bright side, with all that physical work, you'll end up as fit as a butcher's dog....

[mikepepler]

Looks like a great place Tess, and pleased to hear you'll be able to post more often here! I like the idea of a community like that myself, but I think it might drive Tracy a bit crazy as she likes her own space for a chunk of every day...

[Kentucky Fried Panda]

Tess, your avatar reminds me of a young Julie Andrews.