Volunteering Opportunities at Common Knowledge

Join more than 300 people in our community who have already volunteered their time at The Common Knowledge Centre.

We see our volunteering opportunities as a form of energy exchange. The Common Knowledge Centre benefits from the energy you bring to creating and cultivating this special place.

In turn, we commit that you will have the opportunity to spend time in nature, working with an enthusiastic and creative team, learn new skills through doing and feel the reward of doing meaningful work in a natural environment where many people tell us they leave with new connections and a renewed sense of belonging.

Before applying for our volunteer programme, we ask that you make yourself familiar with the below requirements and code of conduct to ensure you have clear expectations for the time you will spend with us.

    • A willingness to pitch in with whatever tasks are needed

    • To learn and be a team player.

    • Good communication skills and the ability to interact people in a friendly and constructive manner.

    • A positive attitude and a willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing needs.

  • As a Centre that prioritises the safety and comfort of all our guests the following guidelines for volunteers serve as a means to encourage a harmonious and inclusive space for all to enjoy.

    1. Respecting Each Other - Please make a commitment to treat everyone on site with respect and not engage in any behaviour that is harmful to others through action or speech. Any form of discrimination or bullying will not be tolerated and the managers of the centre reserve the right to ask any volunteer to leave. Please remember that we are welcoming guests onsite and as a volunteer you are also representing Common Knowledge

    2. Respecting the Environment - Please respect the beautiful natural surroundings of the Common Knowledge Centre and the Burren including all of its flora and fauna. Please use eco-friendly products for cleaning and personal hygiene during your stay and take care to not leave any impact or trace on the surrounding environment.

    3. Respecting Our Shared Spaces - Please make a commitment to keep shared spaces such as the dining and living area clean and tidy and to participate in shared tasks such as washing dishes and cleaning toilets. Please adopt a ‘leave no trace’ policy, leaving your accommodation in good condition and ready for the next volunteer to use.

    4. Conserving Resources - We wish to create a model of a sustainable future and as such make the commitment to be mindful of our use of resources, such as water and electricity, and try to conserve them whenever possible.

    5. Being Flexible and Proactive - The Common Knowledge Centre is a brand new environment for our organisation and many of the systems and procedures are still being designed. Please make the commitment to be flexible and open to new experiences. Volunteers who do not take part in the daily schedule will be asked to leave.

    6. Creating a Safe and Healthy Environment - In order to create a safe and healthy environment for all volunteers, staff members, and visitors, we are creating a drug-free space and ask everyone to refrain from bringing drugs of any type onsite.

Field Good Fridays

Join our Permaculture team any Friday to learn and work together with our local community, no application needed.

  • Help harvest produce for our kitchen, plant fruits and vegetables in our polytunnel, hugelkultur, no dig, and traditional dig gardens. Other important maintenance activities include compost management, weeding, seed saving, foraging, and propagating.

    As part of our re-wilding efforts and eco system restoration on our 50 acre site, we are looking for help to remove invasive species, plant native trees, wildflower meadow management and habitat creation.

  • Orientation takes place at 9.30am on Fridays weekly.

  • Lunch is provided and eaten together with the team at 1pm.

Long Term Volunteer

Join the team from 1-3 months for a deeper experience, with private accommodation.

  • When joining us as a long term volunteer, you’ll team up with our staff in undertaking a wide range of tasks on site and on the grounds, with the support of our 5 day and day volunteers.

    CORE DUTIES 

    The work is varied, but volunteers will help with the following:

    1. Maintenance & Caretaking - Helping to keep the main spaces clean and assisting in the maintenance of grounds and renovation of buildings.

    2. Kitchen Duties - This will be operated on a roster system amongst team on site and will include making breakfast and lunch, and helping to clean the kitchen.

    And other duties as required.

    ELECTIVE DUTIES

    1. Gardening - Maintaining the permaculture garden and other outdoor spaces. We also provide the option of staying for another 5 days, with two days off per week to chill and enjoy our beautiful natural suroundings.

    2. Herd management - Caring for on-site animals including chickens, bees, goats and sheep.

  • Orientation starts when you arrive, when you’ll be shown where you’re staying. You’ll then join the team for a communal meal and weekly briefing at 1pm on Wednesday.

  • Common Knowledge provides groceries for a simple breakfast, and communal staff meal in the middle of the day made by staff, volunteers or our catering chefs. Basic groceries are provided for making dinner. We operate as a team on a leave no trace basis, so everyone helps clean up after both communal and individual meals. A staff kitchen is available for use.

  • Common Knowledge will provide you with a private room with shared bathroom/shower facilities. We ask that you bring your own bedding, including a single sheet and pillow case even if you are using a sleeping bag. Towels are not provided, so please bring your own.

  • You’ll be staying on a beautiful wild site in the heart of the Burren, and we encourage you to enjoy your breaks and time off immersing yourself in this special place. You’ll have access to bikes to travel to nearby towns.