Volunteer

Volunteers are an integral part of life at the Shen Foundation. Without their hard work and energy, it would be difficult for us to function every day and get everything done. 
Whilst working with us, volunteers get:

• Meals during the times they are working with us.
• Support - we have a volunteer co-ordinator who is directly assigned to volunteers and a Shen Team 'buddy' is offered to long-term volunteers. These support people are here to ensure that the health and happiness of our volunteers is maintained and their needs are known and met.
• Full use of Shen facilities and tools etc.
• Good Company!
• Experience - of the Shen Foundation way of life and the Shen mission in practice.

There several different ways of volunteering here at Shen. They are split into two sections - residential and non-residential volunteers. Below is an explanation of them:

Non-Residential Volunteers

This is the name given to all volunteers who do not live at the Shen Foundation. They may feel moved to get involved with Shen, and so donate some of their time and energy to helping us. These volunteers choose what days they help us out and for how long. Some come for one day a week, others one day a fourtnight. They do whatever is needed (that they can manage), or else if they have a specific skill - eg. flower arranging - they may come for a time and devote it to sharing their skills with us. Sometimes we may call on non-residential volunteers for extra help or support (such as during an event.) We understand that they may not be able to help us on request and appreciate whatever they can manage.

* Valued Exchange Volunteers

As the name suggests, valued exchange volunteers build up the units of time they give to the Shen Foundation and exchange it for services and/or courses that we provide. This allows those with low financial income to 'pay' for something they need in a way that is beneficial for all involved. Valued exchange volunteers can choose when they come in and for how long. We work on a trust system, whereby we trust them to decide for themselves how much work they have managed in a day - through effort not time - and record it for use in the future.

Residential Volunteers

This is the name given to all of our volunteers who live at the Shen Foundation. Some of them stay with us short term and some long term. Some originally come to do a course here and stay longer to help out, others may take a specific training course with us that requires an intensive experience and so living at Shen is best for them. We aim to give each individual what they need to best grow and transform.

* Short Term

Our short term volunteers usually stay up to one month, but all can be negotiated. In exchange for volunteering, they receive board and food, although we benefit greatly if they are able to give a suggested donation per day to live here with us. Roles in the house can vary - from doing whatever jobs need to be done on a daily basis to taking on small projects with the aim of finishing them in the time they are part of the team. Volunteers are able to join in with some of the meetings and runnings of the Shen Team such as morning check-in, and we very much value their input and opinions. They also have the option of taking courses we offer at a reduced rate.

* Long Term

At the Shen Foundation, we have an initial three month long-term programme for volunteers. This often goes hand in hand with our core team training course. Long-term volunteers get board and accomodation in exchange for full-time volunteering and courses are available at a reduced rate. In order to become a residential volunteer, at least one Internal Alchemy Qigong course and one Soul Awareness retreat must be taken, although it is possible for this to happen whilst on the job! Long term volunteers are given roles and responsibilities as part of their training and time with us. Through this work, they are supported as much as is needed and are able to grow and develop in body, mind and soul.

* Residential Team Members

The Shen Foundation team is currently made up of individuals who devote our time and energy to the mission and vision of the Shen Foundation. Each of us carry out many different responsibilities and projects. Some we choose to do because our natural skills mean we are perfect for the job! Others we do to grow and develop into strong, inspirational individuals and achieve our highest potential - for the benefit of everyone. This is a full time job! We currently receive no pay, and what money is made all goes back into the foundation to allow us to help more people and keep the Shen Foundation going strong. This work is our passion, our calling, our mission.

We are always on the look out for others who feel called to help in this work and become part of the Shen Foundation Team. If you feel like you are one of these people, please get in touch with us at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ring us on 01309 696984. We will then chat with you and give you all the information and support you need to make this step in your life.We look forward to meeting and working with you!