Help on Hand - As Advised By James!

Property & Home
1

Hello all,


I am not a very regular contributor to this group.


In fact, I don't think I have ever written a post or comment!


However, I wanted to share this, as it was James who originally put me on to this organisation.


This summer I trialled the idea of having volunteer help at home - the link below to the piece will tell you why.


I thought it may be of use to some of us who are renovating our homes and the project is getting out of hand.


James and I chatted about it quite a while ago about the use of an organisation called HELPX


Simply put, it is a site where people who are travelling, offer to come and stay with you and help you with whatever you need help with.


You will see that my requirements were not actually construction based, but I am currently talking to a couple about this at the moment.


So, take a read as it may offer a solution for you.


Winter, while not a good time for outside building plans, IS a good time to ask Helpx people to come and stay, as a lot of the agricultural style work dries up, and there are a lot of volunteers wanting to carry on through the colder months.


If you can provide a warm bed and decent food, then you could find yourself with a very valuable pair of hands (or two) to speed your project along. I have come across artisan style help, DIY help, and general help, so you need to be creative when thinking as to how you might use your volunteers.


Care too needs to be given with younger volunteers, as they are locked into the traditional style travel, and use Helpx as a method of touring the world - some a serious and others are not.


There is another site called WORKAWAY too, and I am hoping to welcome someone to my home from there as well.


So, despite having a health slant, the principle of finding help when you need it should shine through.


Have a good working day!


Helen


2

Hi,

I have today signed up with an organization called Troc Heures.. a skill sharing group...but unfortunately there appears to be hardly anyone signed up with them living anywhere near me.

I wondered whether there was/is anything like this dedicated to the Dordogne area (Bergerac actually). I am trying to renovate an old stone house here with a miniscule budget and I have some masonry and carpentry (floor renovation that I need help with.

Thanks Hilary D.

Thanks

3

I would also recommend them as I've used them for years - especially during the high season when I needed extra hands for gites and chambres d'hotes. Girls in bunks in one room and guys in tents outside. I had girls to help within the house (though sometimes the boys were as much help) and guys for the upkeep of the garden and diy. Out of season it is even better as I have more accommodation available and can get help with the refreshing of the house. But yes, you do have to be selective and ensure that they are happy and capable to do the work you need, the hours you want and have everything clear and in writing agreed beforehand. These people are paying their own travel and you have the right to send them away whenever you wish if you feel that there is a problem. One downside is that they sometimes need to earn money to continue their travels and this is not permitted within the rules of helpx and workaway. If you are flexible with their hours however they can then be offered to other people to work for pay. This helps to keep everyone happy.