**UPDATE: the retreat is now full but you are welcome to help out on individual days 5 – 8 October** Please complete the form and be in touch to confirm your attendance. Knowing in good time really helps for planning. Thanks!
Viveka Gardens is a retreat place in Mid Devon. We’ll be doing work on the land. The seasonal work for this autumn retreat includes chipping wood for mulch and harvesting apples. The retreat culminates in the Community Orchard Day with Apple Pressing here at VG
It’s a six-hour work day in return for:
– vegan meals
– morning and evening meditation
– yoga classes
Accommodation is shared in a converted cob barn
Requirements: Benefits -an opportunity to develop yoga practices and explore spirituality
– physical strength and fitness for outdoor work (work will be safely paced)
– willingness to listen to safety and task guidance
– taking personal responsibility and caring for the safety of the group
-ad hoc training in horticulture according to the tasks in hand of the season
-a safe, warm and inclusive environment for relaxation, learning and sharing
-an ashram/monastery-style life
-accommodation and vegan soulfood
It is possible to join the group for individual days if you are local but you must arrive in time for the group briefing at 9am (c8.45)
To comply with employment rules (volunteering is classed as employment) you must either be a UK citizen or Commonwealth citizen with the right to abode in the UK, EU Settled Status, BNO passport holder (Hong Kong) or have a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme (working holiday) visas. We reserve the right to ask for proof of this.
As a 100% vegan retreat place there are no livestock or carnivore pets here. The land is managed to increase plant, animal (especially pollinator) and fungal diversity. A Barn Owl has moved in and the main field is the Hare-Prayer field. Fox, deer, badger, field voles and possibly dormice are among the other mammals using the land.
Read more about the land and projects here since 2016
Before applying please read full info here
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Be in touch with any questions!
WORK EXCHANGE RETREAT 4- 11 October Complete this form being sure to include:
SCHEDULE
Tuesday 4th October
3pm arrival, settling, briefing
5pm early dinner and tour
7pm gentle yoga class
Weds 5th – Sat 8th
7.30 group meditation
8.00 breakfast
9.00 briefing and work
12.30 lunch
2 – 3.30 work then freetime
6pm dinner
8pm meditation then mouna (silence til after meditation next morning)
Sun 9th
Community Orchard Day with Apple Pressing!
nb on Thursday we’ll have a snack at 5, practice yoga class at 7 followed by souper soup with the group
Monday 10th
meditation, breakfast and departure
you are welcome to rest til noon if you wish