Helpx / Wooff hosts. How do you choose?

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Helpx / Wooff hosts. How do you choose?
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Sally Too

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2511
Location: N.Ireland

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 10 8:37 pm Post subject:
Very jolly. Can I come too?

T.G

Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 10 8:40 pm Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

It being Yo, she'll probably be in a flowery dress and Hunter wellies

sean? never had him pegged for a floral print man more a twinset and pearls

Bulgarianlily

Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 1667
Location: South West Mountains of Bulgaria

Posted: Sat Jul 31, 10 6:25 am Post subject:
We make sure they get to see the local attractions, go out of our way to find events or village happenings that they can be involved in, and have recently bought two bikes for them to get off into the forests paths on. We plan some sports equipment like a table tennis table or such at some point.

Green Rosie

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France

Posted: Sat Jul 31, 10 8:06 am Post subject:
We don't pay them but likewise take them out and about to local attractions and usually pay for a meal for them on their last day. One did ask of they could do some extra work for pay but they turned out to be the Helper from Hell who didn't even manage to do the work they were supposed to let alone any extra .

Sally Too

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2511
Location: N.Ireland

Posted: Sat Jul 31, 10 9:52 am Post subject:

Green Rosie wrote:

We don't pay them but likewise take them out and about to local attractions and usually pay for a meal for them on their last day. One did ask of they could do some extra work for pay but they turned out to be the Helper from Hell who didn't even manage to do the work they were supposed to let alone any extra

I always think the "extra for pay" throws up a load of dilemmas. Really because as a host you then would have to define exactly where their help for their stay ends and the pay for the extra starts.

I like to think that if folk appreciate what we are doing for them then they will do a little "extra". We certainly give "extra" to just board and lodging. So if we were paying helpers more then we'd have to put a value on the extras we give them too.

Considering most get: to ride horses, a bike for their own use, use of trampoline, trips out and lifts when they ask, and generous servings of wine etc. in the evenings. I think it could only become an awkward arrangement.

woodsprite

Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2943
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Sat Jul 31, 10 10:13 am Post subject:

I agree. We provided a bike, use of all of our sports equipment and in the helpxers room there was a small fridge stocked with beers ( not masses) and milk etc, a kettle and tea/coffee making stuff, chocolate/crisps and a portable TV.
Some prefer to be slightly independant from the family, some were with us 24/7. One New Yorker who was with us for 3 months bought his own games machine to hook up to the TV. I'd say that you have to be prepared to have them with you 24/7, if you cant face that, dont do it. Having said that we only had one who was truely like that and she was ridiculously homesick, poor kid.

T.G

Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not

Posted: Sat Jul 31, 10 10:56 am Post subject:

we board ours in the SC we tell them this is where they will be staying and we've not had any issues or them changing their minds. It sleeps 8 and at most there are 2 helpx folk at a time. It has a large seperate livingroom with tv/dvd double bedroom, twin bedroom and a seperate shower so its rather nice.

It has a fully fitted kitchen which we stock with a weeks worth of shopping, and then they have meals with us if they so choose. The horses can be ridden, if they seem capable, we also take them into town if they request it and fetch them back - buses and taxis are far too expensive - they appreciate the efforts we go too.

If they are here for a 7 day stay we only ask work for 5 so they have two days to do as they please. That way they can explore the local area, have a choice of going near or far. It works for us, and I think that's the most important bit, you have to set up the exchange so it works for you, then the people who choose to come already fit into your plans, and you don't have any issues, we certainly haven't as yet.

Green Rosie

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 10498
Location: Calvados, France

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 10 6:22 am Post subject:

Sally wrote:

Green Rosie wrote:

Exactly - we just leant that the hard way with a particularly difficult helper. All the others have helped far more than we ever ask.

Cobnut

Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 475
Location: North Herefordshire

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 10 8:18 am Post subject:

Although I�m not ready to volunteer just yet [domestic situation] I recently put a profile up on Help Exchange to get a feel for how welcome I�d be and in preparation for emailing hosts. (All being well) I�d be travelling the UK with my dog in a caravan, so I need to find hosts who would allow me to park and could also work something out with the pooch. I�ve tried to make the profile informative and say what experience I have and what I�d like to get out of it, and so far I�ve been contacted by 4 hosts in as many weeks which is great! Provided I�m taught some skills as well as just getting on with jobs I know I�d be happy.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 10 4:15 pm Post subject:
Just had three very pleasant, enthusiastic young people round. They made vanilla soap, ate lots of bread and honey and helped Sean setting off a batch of mead. They took lots of photos and then charged around the commons with the dog who thought they were wonderful

SK

Joined: 07 Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 10 9:51 pm Post subject:

Apologies for being so late in coming back here - a bit of "stuff" going on - then we lost phone lines for a couple of days so no internet - aah - the joys of country living!!

I wanted to say thank you so much for the really kind words about my situation - and also for such encouraging responses.

I want to try some short term wwoof/helpx experiences here in Australia fairly soon - then once the loose ends are sorted, head out into the big wide world - and I have to say I am really excited about it.

Glad your day visitors went well Jamanda - and again many thanks to everyone

Best Wishes
Sue

PS - wonder if it would be a good idea to ask about toyboy availability locally in my initial contacts?? - shucks probably not - but I can always dream!!!!

Went

Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 10 6:31 am Post subject:

At the Donkey Sanctuary we also encourage volunteers to contribute to the blogs (Spanish and English) about their experiences. I think this helps as some volunteers we have seen have had poor experiences in other placements.

It is a two-way choice I believe. Having volunteers talk about their experience helps others to make the right choice for them. It also gives them an indication of what day to day life is like.

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 10 8:30 am Post subject:

SK wrote:

PS - wonder if it would be a good idea to ask about toyboy availability locally in my initial contacts?? - shucks probably not - but I can always dream!!!!

Perhaps you could make enquiries about that once you had found a placement you liked?

London10

Joined: 12 May 2006
Posts: 7

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 12 11:50 am Post subject: Re: Helpx / Wooff hosts. How do you choose?
[quote="Sally too:972576"]I've notice a few others on here Helpx hosts etc. and I was wondering... We have been on the go for a year now and it has been a great experience for all of us. Hi sally there is also workaway the same , you can talk to the people before you go helpx is good as is wwoff I think have a back up incase it goes wrong but usually ok .

Sally Too

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2511
Location: N.Ireland

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 12 12:07 pm Post subject:
Hi Zamira, This is a rather old thread now. Sadly we've taken our listing on Helpx down now, due to my reduced health at the mo. We do still keep in touch with past helpers and a couple call in when they are passing .....

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