Here is the story from our of our Group Coordinators, Alex, who lead an international group of volunteers at an Eco-Festival project in Worcestershire during summer 2017, especially helping with the set up of the site before the festival started.
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The main marquee of the Eco Festival Green and Away |
After
I came returned to the UK, from an amazing long term volunteering project in
Romania through Concordia, I had a meeting with the Concordia team to discuss the experience and settling back in. Soon,
the conversation turned to the future; “What’s your plans for the summer?” (or
something to that effect). Bored of my small room in a busy flat and full of
wholesome memories of my Balkan travels, I gladly said “I’m down for anything!”
(or something to that effect).
Before
I knew it, I was heading to the Concordia office for a coordinator training
course, where I’d meet a bunch of like-minded volunteer types. We discussed
everything that we might encounter as a UK coordinator, if and when we ever
coordinated other volunteers. The handy information we were given had
strategies for dealing with matters like group cooking to conflict resolution,
the latter transpired to be more applicable than the former.
Inspired
and intrigued I came away with many new ways to take two weeks off work and volunteer
instead. I could have stayed at Buddhist sanctuary, worked with deserving young
carers or taken part in a music festival! Instead I was bound for two weeks
camping in a muddy field eating vegan food – not my grandparents’ idea of a
good break. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to working with ‘Green and Away’,
an eco-friendly and creative events venue.
My first notable encounter of Green and Away
hospitality came when one of the Concordia volunteers missed their connection
and was going to arrive in the middle of the night. Although it was only my
responsibility to ensure the Concordia volunteers were settled into camp, half
the other volunteers at Green and Away stayed up with me to welcome the lonely traveller
in with a cheer and a hug! It was very warming and I knew I would I be with
good company for the duration of the stay.
As the long hot days went on we could see the camp
growing and taking shape. Structures were being built every day and the muddy
field was transformed into a homely venue. We could see the fruits of our
labour. Everyone had their jobs to do, which was increasingly difficult in +30oC
heat, but we had plenty of water and support. In the midday sun we would swim
in the stream and cool off, it really put you in touch with your senses and
with nature. Later in the evenings we would sit around the campfire or snuggle
up in the Mongolian yurt and get to know each other. It was a satisfying,
social and wholesome lifestyle.
We would get days off allocated during the week, so
there was the opportunity to head into town and relax. The Concordia volunteers
and I went for a day in Worcester, where I treated them to a full English
Breakfast. Despite having a vegetarian among us, everyone enjoyed their meal
(the café offered a veggie full English). This was their first encounter with a
British classic, since they all came from different countries. It’s nice to
know I could offer a cultural experience as well as a tasty one.
Once all the physically hard work was done and our
beautiful camp was ready for guests. This is when the dynamic on camp changes
from being practical and resourceful to being hospitable and service driven.
The guests were always lovely and everyone on camp bands together to help each other
out.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. After
being so absorbed in the atmosphere of Green and Away I had to don my
coordinator hat once more. Gathering the other volunteers feedback was great,
because I got to hear that they had a magical time too. This project was very
comfortable from a coordinator perspective. Although, I think the role was
useful, the accommodation, food and task allocation was excellently handled by
the Green and Away team, so my job was to keep everyone happy and having the
best time possible.
Despite having to resolve an issue between Green and
Away and one of the volunteers after I got home, which was later resolved, I
had such an amazing time. Green and Away is a special place where you can
forget time passing and enjoy eco-living. They a strong sense of community
which is welcoming and supportive. The work is hard and can be physically
challenging, but it certainly pays off. I’m proud to have been a part of Green
and Away and to have helped spread the message of sustainable development while
personally having a lot of fun.