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Springwood Sanctuary Volunteer Retreat Programme

 

The Springwood Volunteer Retreat is designed to offer an opportunity for individuals to enter a Sanctuary environment, to live for a few days with us and to participate in mindfully caring for the animals and the land. The programme is intended for those who are interested in mindfulness, nature and a conscious vegan life, who want to use the stay as a retreat and take time for internal focus, wellbeing and connection with nature.

 

During your time here you will be given a general orientation toward the principles of Mindfulness, our ethos with equines and our approach to caring for the land and wildlife holistically. The initial duration of this programme is up to five days.

 

Springwood Volunteer Retreats are by invitation and are free of charge in return for 2 hours per day volunteering  Participation is available every week throughout the year, space permitting.

 

Working as a part of the Springwood volunteer team is physically demanding and an educational experience. It provides an opportunity for you to be in retreat, and at the same time to experience the benefits of living within a vegan sanctuary, to develop your Mindfulness practice and to become inspired to live a gentler pace of life. This programme provides a place to set yourself and your preferences aside for a while and practice selfless service to nature and the animals. What you receive from being here will be directly reflective of what you give.

 

Aims and objectives of Springwood Sanctuary:

Springwood Sanctuary is set in 80 acres of Welsh countryside with a two acre lake and is bordered by a mile of the River Teifi. Under the ground is white quartz and fresh water springs. We are blessed to have this spring water nourishing us by feeding the cottages (having first gone through a filtration system). The land and river is home to an abundance of native wildlife. We protect the land and wildlife and create a healing environment for people by living mindfully with love, compassion and care for the Earth and her inhabitants. We’re rewilding the land, enabling it to heal from previously being farmed for decades, now enabling it to increase the rich biodiversity of flora and fauna so that ecosystems can flourish and everything can live in balance. We encourage the wild medicinal plants (often referred to as ‘weeds’) to grow, we do not micro-manage the land, we allow trees and hedgerows to self-seed and plant trees to support riverbanks and other areas where necessary. All this creates natural habitats for wildlife and nature to thrive.

 

We aim to live a sustainable lifestyle by minimising consumerism, waste, toxins, chemicals and therefore living with a lighter footprint on the Earth. Where possible we use hand tools on the land, reducing disruption to wildlife, pollution and noise.We grow vegetables and flowers in our polytunnel and vegetable garden with organic, permaculture and no dig methods. We are aiming to also establish a medicinal and sensory herb, flower and forest garden.

 

We offer others the experience of being at one with nature in this peaceful, healing sanctuary setting via residential volunteer retreats, volunteer days, wellbeing retreats, creative workshops and sanctuary stays.You don’t have to be vegan to visit, but we do ask you to please respect our values and not to bring animal products into the sanctuary. We’re happy to support you by cooking tasty meals with you if you do not wish to cook your own plant-based meals. Please discuss this beforehand with Jacqui. If you’d like support transitioning to a vegan lifestyle when you leave the sanctuary we are happy to offer this too.

 

The Springwood herd are a mixed herd of horses, ponies and donkeys who have been rescued and rehabilitated with healing and holistic care. They enjoy the sanctuary land here along with Ted the sheep and four dogs. We do not use the animals here in any way - we enable them to live with autonomy and free choice in a species appropriate way. We give them the highest standards of animal welfare and care, 24/7 access to shelter and companionship, good quality food, foraging and grazing, fresh spring water, herbs and healing. The sanctuary's mission is to inspire a shift in awareness and consciousness away from the “use” and “mis-use” of animals in any way. We support others with a model for change that can be replicated around the world. Our ethos is to recognise that we can all only really thrive when nature, humans and other beings live in balance with each other. Therefore our three guiding principles are to mindfully combine animal welfare, nurture of the land and holistic wellbeing for humans.

 

Please specifically note: Springwood Sanctuary respects the precept of ahimsa (non-violence) and therefore adheres strictly to a vegan diet. Meat, eggs, dairy, honey and any other animal products are not permitted on our premises, nor are recreational drugs. We request that you do not drink alcohol or smoke whilst on your volunteer retreat. We suggest that you limit caffeine consumption during other times whilst on retreat to fully benefit from your experience here.

 

For your safety and in line with our insurance policy, smoking and consumption of alcohol before / during time spent around the herd and other volunteer tasks is forbidden. Please be mindful of minimising toxins and chemicals in your cleaning and personal hygiene products whilst you are here as these go directly into the septic tank on the land. If possible use vegan products that have not been tested on animals and are kind to the planet.

 

Please always respect the sanctuary’s rules and boundaries and do your best to work within the structure provided in a safe and mindful manner. Any injuries or losses whilst undertaking the volunteer retreat programme are at your own risk and Springwood Sanctuary bears no legal responsibility for these.

 

Availability We have space for up to two people per week on the Springwood Volunteer Retreat programme. It is recommended to book well in advance to reserve your space.

 

Volunteer periods usually involve activities like; clearing fields and barns of manure (poopicking), putting out hay for the herd, fencing, painting and repairs of barns, feeding horses, ponies and donkeys, gardening, tree planting plus a variety of ongoing jobs that require attention. In addition to this you will be expected to cook your own meals and clean the areas that you have used in the house, cabin and annexe and keep things tidy please. Cooking of your meals and cleaning is to be done outside of the volunteer hours. 

 

Working Hours: Springwood Retreat Volunteers are expected to work in a caring and mindful way. For those on the Springwood Volunteer Retreat Programme, the main work period is usually from 10.30am – 12.30pm. There is a meeting at 10.15am for participants with the co-ordinator where we check-in and after which volunteer assignments are given.

 

Food and drink:

This is a self catering vounteer retreat. Please bring your plant based food and drinks with you. There is a separate fridge provided for you and cooking facilities. Drinks - Spring filtered water, tea, coffee, plant milks and herbal teas are available throughout the day.

 

Accommodation:

Volunteer Retreat Programme accommodation is in Jacqui & David’s home, with shared bathroom, kitchen and living room facilities. You are welcome to camp on the land by prior arrangement. Wifi and mobile signalWifi is free of charge, please use your own device. All phone calls are to be made using personal mobile phone. The mobile signal is not strong here but WhatsApp and wifi calling work well. To fully benefit from being on retreat it may be beneficial for you to “unplug” from technology for as much as possible. However, if you need to work remotely whilst here please discuss this with us so that we can accommodate your preferred work schedule and ensure a good wifi signal if needed. There is a cabin by the lake and a cabin by the river which you are welcome to enjoy during the day time whilst you are here. 

 

Things to Bring:

For your enjoyment - As previously mentioned, in order to fully benefit from being on retreat it may be beneficial for you to “unplug” from technology for as much as possible. You therefore may want to bring books, a journal, some creative projects, a camera, sketching / painting materials, musical instruments etc.

Clothing - please prepare for all weathers: waterproof coat, waterproof trousers (even in the summer as it’s a lovely experience sitting with the herd early in the morning whilst the dew is still on the ground), closed toe walking shoes, wellington boots, comfortable clothes, hat (sun hat in summer / warm hat in winter) and gloves (gardening gloves year round & warm gloves in winter) are all recommended.

Food – your choice of plant based food and drink for breakfast, lunch and supper plus snacks during your time here. 

Towels – for showering (also wild swimming in the lake / paddling in the river if you are interested in doing this).

Bedding – it would be helpful (although not essential) to bring your own sheets and duvet cover. Duvets, blankets and pillows are supplied.

Other – you may want to bring slippers, thick socks and a hot water bottle.

 

Out and About Shops & public transport – We are very rural here. The nearest shops are a 10 minute drive away. If you don’t have your own transport we usually go to the local shops once a week and can give you a lift.

Online shopping can be delivered (Tesco and Morrisons).

Carmarthen is 30 minutes drive away with train station and large supermarkets, restaurants, Botanical Gardens etc.

Buses – nearest bus stops are 10 minutes drive away in Pencader, Llandysul and Llanybydder.

We are able to pick you up from the station / bus stop by prior arrangement.

Bicycles aren’t recommended here as the lanes are very narrow, with a lot of steep hills.

The Cardigan coast with many beautiful beaches is 30 minutes drive away.

The Brecon Beacons are 40 minutes drive away.

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Futher information and contact details

Jacqui Howe is the main contact when you want to arrange to book onto this programme.

There is an application form on the volunteer page of our website for you to complete which will assist us in organising your stay here. Jacqui’s mobile / WhatsApp contact number is 07946 869454. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the above further, please contact Jacqui, who will be happy to assist you.

 

Sanctuary Stays - “The Retreat Cottage” our two bedroom self-catering cottage is sometimes available to rent from April to October at £110/night - for those wishing to have their own private space and for those not wishing to spend time volunteering whilst here. Prior booking of The Retreat Cottage is usually necessary.

 

Volunteer Days – if you are local to the sanctuary and able to visit on a regular basis we greatly appreciate your help volunteering for 2 hours a day, either once a week, once a month or whenever it fits with your schedule.

Please contact Jacqui about regular volunteer availability, 

 

Please be aware that when you have agreed to come here you are making a commitment to yourself and to us, and we are relying upon your participation. If you are not able fulfil your booking please let us know as soon as possible. We greatly appreciate your offer of help and support at the sanctuary. Our volunteers are very important to us. Your input greatly improves the smooth running of the sanctuary and benefits the lives of all the animals living here.

 

Thank you very much for your interest in supporting us.

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