Hexham Retreat Kitchen and Food prep

Volunteers who join the residential volunteer team at Land of Joy support the centre’s daily functioning and help create a calm, welcoming retreat environment. Tasks are varied and collaborative, suited to people who want meaningful work in a peaceful rural setting.

Typical Tasks and Activities Volunteers Will Engage With:

Food preparation & kitchen support – helping with meal prep and supporting kitchen operations.

• Vegetarian meals
• Batch cooking
• Large meals 
• General kitchen clean up and cooking
• Volunteers typically work 6–8 hours per day, five days a week, for a minimum of one month

Volunteers receive:

•  A comfortable single room.
• Three nourishing vegetarian meals per day.
•  Opportunities to learn about Buddhist philosophy and deepen personal practice.
• Being part of a supportive community in a beautiful rural setting.

https://landofjoy.co.uk/residential-volunteering/

We are open to those who want to just travel in if they live locally.

Skills

Personal Qualities & Attitudes

• Kindness and compassion towards others—central to the volunteer ethos.
•  Willingness to learn about yourself and others and engage in communal living.
•  Respectful and accepting of others, regardless of background.

Ability to work collaboratively with a team and support a nurturing culture.

Experience & Skills

• No specific qualifications are required—people with or without prior volunteering experience are welcome.
  
• Existing practical skills (e.g., cooking, maintenance, gardening) are welcome and can be used in relevant roles.
  
• Ability to follow instructions and contribute reliably to daily tasks.
  

Commitment & Practical Requirements

• Willing and able to commit to the daily hours and minimum duration (usually 1–3 months).
  
• Follow the centre’s ethical/cultural expectations, including respect for others and the retreat environment.
  
• For longer stays (over 3 months) or volunteering during family retreats, appropriate DBS background checks are required.