An outline of a typical Volunteers' workday

Volunteers meet twice a month on average either at Welcombe Barton or at the Trust's organic smallholding across the valley at Well Farm. We try to give as much advance notice of workdays as we possibly can - it is not unknown for Volunteers to arrange a day's holiday from work so they can come!

We have coffee around 10am and catch up with what has been happening in our lives, divide up the jobs and get started. Lunch is provided by us - a small show of gratitude for the energy and commitment given by everyone - finishing the day at around 4pm.

Volunteer Weekends

These weekends were requested by volunteers who are working during the week, but would still like to feel some of the Yarner magic. We provide accommodation and delicious food whilst volunteers contribute some of their time to create sustainable environmental projects.

Volunteer Weekends

These weekends were requested by volunteers who are working during the week, but would still like to feel some of the Yarner magic. We provide accommodation and delicious food whilst volunteers contribute some of their time to create sustainable environmental projects.

The annual Volunteers' party

Around the beginning of each New Year we have a celebratory supper for the Volunteers which are always the most joyful of occasions and an ideal opportunity to review what has been achieved over the previous twelve months.

Some of the Volunteers' achievements

Of the very many areas of work involving Volunteers the following stand out as milestones in the progress of the Trust's recent development:

• The creation and maintenance of our demonstration organic kitchen garden;
• The completion of three beautiful mosaic tops for our cob constructed garden seats;
• The planting and harvesting of our organic willow beds growing both basket making and living willow varieties;
• A hugely successful fundraising Plant and Basket Sale held at the garden of one of our Volunteers in June 2005;
• The completion of the wattle and daub panelling on our two green oak framed buildings now in use as composting toilets;
• Lime washing, lime plastering and rendering of both internal and external stonework of our ancient buildings;
• Construction work to our Strawbale buildings;
• Learning all the skills related to the construction of an 18ft diameter Yurt;
• Volunteers are also welcome to help with the general administration of the organisation - most significantly in the many aspects of our annual Summer Camp - as well as in the office.