Fed up of normal life

[grantdan]

Well as the title suggests im reasonable fed up of the current situation with employment. I struggled my bum off for nearly 7 years completing an apprenticeship, and the company shut down in July 09.
Since then i have done odd jobs/ labour work but nothing has been longer than a week or two.

So my question to you is, with little or no money, no house (parents), id like a few years of the wildlife, but need help/advice. Ideally id like to work for say 6months + and move on, and get some general life experience away from everything commercial and political.... Help

 

[Toddy]

How about the rural farming network ?
It's a Europe wide thing, I think it's got connections to America and Canada too though ?

Basically for a pittance wage, but food and lodging, you go and help out on organic farms.
You get a chance to meet a lot of good people, be part of a wide network of active and hard working small communities.
You don't end up longer than a couple of months usually in one place, and they help you find the next place where you will be welcomed

Locum76 will know the details I'm sure.

cheers,
Toddy


p.s. It's Willing workers on organic farms. Wwoof.
Like this Romanian link
http://www.adventuretravelabroad.com/listingsp3.cfm/listing/50569

or
Fruitfuljobs

or
http://www.organicfarm.org.nz/links.html

 

[Crowe]

Sorry to hear that. How about working at a youth hostel for a while ?
Crowe

 

[grantdan]

i dont mind what the work is, i just feel like i need to find myself, and what makes me happier. i enjoy working outside, and all my previous work has been practical environments, which suits me better.

Being in my mid 20's would i be a suitable applicant for a youth hostel? and having no qualifications other than engineering/mechanical background?

 

[Biker]

Grantdan,
By the sounds of things Toddy's talking about something that I've heard about firsthand here in France. I have a mate who, with his wife, run a lavander farm... they extract the oil via a still. Anyway, last year for about 4 weeks they had 3 people from Aussieland come and live in thier barn/outbuilding/B&B and helped harvest and prep the lavender. I'm not even sure they they were paid as such, just got room and board. I'll be seeing them on Tuesday to help fit a staircase so I can find out more details.
Another couple I know also had some UK people from an agency come over and do much the same thing, they stay with them tending their organic farm, livestock and helping with some building work too.
Once the work was finsihed these people moved onto another job someplace else

So basically there's an alternate life out there if you want to chase it. You're still young enough. S**t! I'm in my late 40's and just got fired up again about bushcraft and plan on learning new stuff and getting out into the woods, so grasp life while you can. Don't get to your 30's and say "If only." You're never too old to make changes.

Not to sound too cliché but "Go for it!"

If I get some details from those people I'll PM you the info OK?

Aaron

 

[Mesquite]

Being in my mid 20's would i be a suitable applicant for a youth hostel? and having no qualifications other than engineering/mechanical background?

Well you're on here for a start so you have an interest in the outdoor life which is a good start. Look at your whole experience, not just what you've trained in. What transferrable skills have you got that would interest them?

End of the day what have you got to loose applying to the YHA?

 

[rik_uk3]

How about VSO?

http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteer/apply-now/index.asp

 

[Alexlebrit]

I worked with the YHA for a few years in my 20's and had no real experience of anything much, before that I'd been a chef in a French bistro. It's still one of the best things I did. I ended up warden of a small hostel, got a bit of pay (not a lot) a slightly run-down house to live in and a steady stream of new friends coming in and out. I'd thoroughly recommend at least trying. Here's their page http://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/volunteering/index.aspx or the weirdly named http://www.hokey-cokey-jobs.co.uk/

EDIT:Richard, you got in with the VSO while I was posting, so I'll delete my bit.

 

[Doc]

Scottish Natural Heritage often have jobs.

They currently want a Fieldworker in the Western Isles for the wader project, among other things.

http://www.snhjobs.co.uk/

 

[forestwalker]

http://www.wwoof.org/, which I think is what Toddy was thinking about.

Is there a UK version of the Peace Corps? Anyone looking for skilled people in the Haiti rebuilding? I know the mountain lodges (Fjällstation, run by http://www.svenskaturistforeningen.se/) every now and then need people for everything from cooking by way of general mainenance to cleaning.

 

[nolightweight]

This thread isn't making my 'mid life crisis' any easier

Good ideas though.

I'd say get amongst it. What have you to lose, and look what you might gain.

Almost convinced myself then...

 

[demographic]

The good news is that whilst you are living with your parents you don't need to worry about losing a house while you go about the world. Later on if you buy somewhere it all gets the bit harder to take on low paid jobs so now's the time to be thinking about it.

 

[phill_ue]

Are you currently on the dole? If you are and have been for a while, take a look at the Future Jobs Fund. 6 month contracts but you may get some skills that will stand you in good stead. It's hard work, minimum wage but if you enjoy the job and don't have massive outgoings the what is the issue? Like you, I a at my parents so have only board to pay to the 'rents. I don't need pots of money.

 

[tobes01]

I found myself unable to get a job in the '91 recession despite a good degree, so joined up instead. OK, so it's a slightly radical solution to the problem, but it certainly broadened my horizons...

 

[Adze]

Another vote for

http://www.wwoof.org.uk/

I've a few friends who've done this - it's not a holiday, you work for bed and board, depending on who you get as a host means you either get a relatively easy ride or you're slave labour - generally people's reputation precedes them.

Cheers,

 

[Woodlark]

Got to agree with Bikers sentiments here - don't spend any energy worrying just do what you've started ie checking out possibilities. And take a bit of a chance, a little graft and goodwill can take you round the world and back - you'll be just as skint when you get back but you'll have something that no man or beast can take away - EXPERIENCE!!! My godson has just done this - started off intending to take a month out as life had gone tits up over here, and got back one year later! My cousine did it 30 years ago .... and never came back - now living in Australia. For the time being, you might also consider the Tallships Trust - a real "get away from it all" experience, and a diesal fitter could be useful to them!! Check it out on the web, I know that grants are available for people in your position too - PM me if you need more info.

Keep smiling and Good luck!

 

[TeeDee]

This thread isn't making my 'mid life crisis' any easier

Good ideas though.

I'd say get amongst it. What have you to lose, and look what you might gain.

Almost convinced myself then...

What the Big man said.

Go walkabout around Europe , your 24 , take a year out and explore ( Wish i did ) , a year of cultural exploration will look good on your CV when you get back.

Need any more help , get back to me.

Good luck and make it happen.!!

 

[MartinK9]

This thread isn't making my 'mid life crisis' any easier Good ideas though.

I'd say get amongst it. What have you to lose, and look what you might gain.

Almost convinced myself then...

You're not the only one

 

[TeeDee]

You're not the only one

I think i've reached mine earlier then most.

 

[Mesquite]

You're not the only one

And he won't be the last one either

I bet if you did a quick poll most folks on here would say they'd like to change careers/do something different or take a gap year out and explore the world