Volunteer at Laughton Lodge
Join a work (‘busy’) day
Once a month (usually the first Sunday) we spend a day working together on the land and buildings at Laughton Lodge. We call our work days ‘busy days’ (a name given by one of the kids which stuck), and they’re one of the best ways to experience community life here first-hand. We often welcome volunteers and we’re always very grateful for the extra hands!
You might find yourself clearing brambles, working in the allotment, painting windows, planting bulbs, or helping maintain our community buildings. The work varies with the weather and the seasons and there’s always something to suit different abilities and energy levels. No particular skills are needed, just a willingness to get stuck in.
We work in teams through the morning, break to share a home-cooked community lunch, and finish off the big jobs in the afternoon. If you’re curious about community living, or considering a move to Laughton Lodge one day, a busy day is the ideal first step. There’s no pressure and no expectations – just come along, work alongside us, chat to a few different people and enjoy spending time on our beautiful site.
What to expect
Busy days run from 10am to around 4pm, but you’re welcome to leave after lunch or whenever you need to. We’ll provide lunch (always with vegan and gluten free options) and keep you going with hot or cold drinks throughout the day. Please wear clothes and footwear suitable for outdoor work – it gets very muddy here in the winter and spring!
Children are very welcome and there are usually other kids around who will be happy to show them our kids’ room, swings, treehouse and animals – though they’ll need to be supervised by their own parents or guardians. Unfortunately we’re not able to accommodate visitor pets.
Stay a little longer
Our guest rooms are available for volunteers – a good option if you’re travelling some distance or simply want to spend a bit longer getting to know the place and the people. Camping is also possible during the warmer months.
Get in touch
To join a busy day or find out when the next one is happening, just drop us a message. We’d love to meet you.