Get Involved in our Summer Building Party
We’re welcoming volunteers and hiring two paid team members to help create a nature-inspired retreat centre on 6 lovely acres on the edge of the Cotswolds in North Gloucestershire between May and September 2025.
Find out more about the project here, or scroll down for descriptions of the various roles and how to apply ↓
Volunteers
1-month placements, May-Sept
Who is this for?
This is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning hands-on skills in natural building, permaculture, and off-grid community living. Whether you dream of creating your own homestead or just want to be involved in an exciting land-based project, this experience will give you practical knowledge and a chance to be part of an inspiring community.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Assisting in the construction of straw-bale roundhouses, timber-framed buildings, and working with cob
Learning and applying permaculture techniques, including edible landscaping and soil regeneration
Helping with the making of compost toilets and water filtration systems
Creating a natural swimming pond
Living on-site in a communal, co-creative environment
What’s Provided:
Hands-on training in natural building and permaculture
Lunch and dinner six days a week
Off-grid camp facilities, including a yurt and tipi for communal space
Evening circles, live music, and shared meals
Occasional guest facilitators and workshops
Our volunteer crew will be central to the success of this project, so we’re looking for passionate, hard-working, creative and community-minded people to join us for this exciting opportunity, and in return we’ll offer a rich learning experience and a supportive group space.
Register as a volunteer →
Paid Role 1 : Permaculturalist
5-month contract, May–Sept
Who is this for?
We’re seeking someone trained in permaculture / ecological landscaping and with some experience in natural building. This is a wonderful opportunity to incubate a range of practical sustainability skills in the creation of an exciting land-based retreat centre.
Your main role will be to help us to create a permaculture wonderland across a 6-acre regenerative site. You’ll be leading a small team of volunteers to implement a designed edible landscape, establish a vegetable garden, help create a natural swimming pond and 2 greywater filtration reedbeds, as well as tree-planting, and lots of other leafy jobs. You’ll also be contributing to roundhouse construction.
Responsibilities:
Implementing an edible landscape design
Creating a vegetable garden
Constructing a natural swimming pond and greywater filtration reedbeds
Tree planting and creation of re-wilding zones
Leading small groups of volunteers
Assisting with roundhouse building and other land-based tasks as needed
Requirements:
Experience in permaculture design and implementation
Knowledge of edible landscaping and regenerative agriculture
Hands-on experience with natural water systems (ponds, greywater filtration)
Ability to lead and teach volunteers
Willingness to live on-site for the summer in your own van/tent/yurt/etc
Compensation & Benefits:
£450 per week for 38 hours
Lunch and dinner six days a week
Off-grid camp facilities
Be part of a vibrant community living experience
Collaboration with an expert ecological designer
Closing Date & How to Apply
We are open to applications until Sunday 21st March.
To apply, email james@landbasedliving.com with relevant experience and why you’d love to be part of this project.
Paid Role 2: Natural Builder
5-month contract, May–Sept
Who is this for?
We’re looking for an experienced natural builder who also has good general construction knowledge to help us build a range of natural buildings over the summer. This is a great opportunity for someone with a range of prior building experience to consolidate their skills and contribute to an exciting project.
You’ll be leading volunteers and working hands-on with roundhouse construction while also undertaking more conventional building tasks where needed.
Responsibilities:
Constructing straw-bale and timber-framed roundhouses with reciprocal roofs
Leading small groups of volunteers in natural building projects
Assisting with more conventional building work
Managing a safe working environment
Requirements:
Experience in natural building techniques (straw-bale, cob, timber framing, reciprocal roofs)
Some general building experience (e.g., carpentry, slab-work, second-fix plumbing and electrical)
Ability to lead and teach volunteers
Willingness to live on-site for the summer in your own van/tent/yurt/etc
Own tools a big advantage
Compensation & Benefits:
£450 per week for 38 hours
Lunch and dinner six days a week
Off-grid camp facilities
Be part of a vibrant community living experience
Closing Date & How to Apply
We are open to applications until Sunday 21st March.
To apply, email james@landbasedliving.com with relevant experience and why you’d love to be part of this project.