Helping out at the Centre
Helpers / wwoofers
We have been running the centre so far with the generous help of a number of people who have worked enthusiastically and diligently alongside us in exchange for food and accommodation. A huge thanks to them! Helpers are an extremely important element of the centre on Clare Island. From the feedback we have received, for most helpers, their time on Clare Island has has been a very positive and unique experience.
During the late spring and summer season, when we are running large courses, we have room for two helpers (a couple or two friends sharing a room seems to work best), who can commit to either the entire period or a substantial portion of this time (minimum six weeks). The work usually consists of gardening and landscaping, as well as helping out in the kitchen (a great opportunity to learn vegetarian cooking) and house cleaning. It is usually possible for helpers to attend some of the yoga classes, but this cannot be guaranteed for all courses. When the yoga studio is not being used, it is available for self-practice. In exchange for their help with the running of the centre, helpers receive all food and accommodation as well as occasional yoga tuition. There is always one day off every week.
Outside
the summer season (until June, and from September), we have space for a
few helpers/wwoofers who are willing to work in the garden, on the
land, with the animals, or to help with house maintenance or any
on-going building project, in exchange for vegetarian food,
accommodation and occasional yoga tuition (the yoga room is usually
available for self-practice when it isn’t being used for a
class). Unless you have been here before or have a very specific skill
(organic gardening, experience working with horses, eco-building, etc.)
that is relevant to us, we ask you to commit to a minimum stay of 2
weeks. and preference is given to those who would like to come for
longer periods of time. Please note that the work can be physically
demanding (like carrying heavy things, digging the garden, or moving
manure around in a wheel barrow), and usually involves spending a lot
of time outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather. So far more important
than an interest in yoga or meditation is the ability to work hard!
Some previous experience of gardening, farm or building work is
recommended. Work is usually 5 to 6 hours / day, with one day off per
week.
Please note, that during the off-season, the island is very quiet. A high degree of independence and self-reliance is necessary to be able to truly enjoy living the type of lifestyle it offers. There can be periods of very bad weather when outside work is impossible, and sitting by the fire reading is the only option, (there is no television, but we have a large and varied library...) followed by days of intense work when the weather improves. Some people like this kind of unpredictability as well as the relatively slow pace of life, for others it can be very unsettling. During the off-season, helpers stay in a confortable house completely independent from, but nearby, our home, and at times will self-cater (we provide the ingredients), or will have meals taken in common with us at the centre. When courses are running, helpers have their meals with the yoga students, a great opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the world.
In all
cases, whether someone is interested in coming during the peak or
off-season, it is important to understand that the work here can be
hard, and the hours can be long. From our experience with different
helpers, from various backgrounds and cultures, the happiest outcomes
are with those people who are truly interested in the sort of place we
are running, (organic food production, island life, sustainable living,
self sufficiency, etc) and who are not afraid of working hard. If what
you are looking for is a cheap holiday, or if you are the sort of
person who will be looking at your watch, waiting for the time to knock
off work, or who needs a very active nightlife, etc, our centre
is not the place for you. While we ask people to commit for a
specific period of time, if the working/living relationship between a
helper and ourselves is not working out, we may ask them to leave ahead
of schedule. From our experience, this is a better option than sticking
to a situation which is not working out for one or both parties.
