Residential Volunteering at Land of Joy

Nestled in the breathtaking Northumberland National Park, Land of Joy offers unique opportunities to be a part of providing a precious space where visitors and volunteers explore their inner worlds whilst cultivating wisdom and compassion for the benefit of all.

Located four miles from the charming village of Bellingham and twenty miles from historic Hexham, we’re nurturing something beautiful together. Whether preparing meals for guests, tending fresh produce, or maintaining our beautiful grounds, you’ll directly support those attending our Buddhist and universal retreats on their spiritual journeys while nurturing your own.

This isn’t just volunteering—it’s an opportunity to discover your purpose while making an offering in one of England’s most beautiful settings. Join us in creating a sanctuary where transformation happens daily, for our guests and for yourself.

Our Volunteer Community

Land of Joy flourishes thanks to our amazing residential, local and remote volunteers.

Being a residential volunteer provides the chance to live in a beautiful & quiet part of the UK, with the opportunity to attend retreats, spend time in our ancient woodland and explore the national park that surrounds us.

Giving With Our Hearts

Cultivating wisdom and compassion within a nurturing environment is at the very heart of what we do.

Becoming a volunteer with us means you commit to co-creating a harmonious, nurturing and supportive culture by following the five Mahayana precepts for the benefit of those who attend retreat, fellow volunteers and yourself.

We welcome those who have offered service before, are established practitioners, new to the buddhist path or curious about buddhism.

The main thing we request is that those who volunteer with us have a kind and compassionate heart, are ready to learn more about themselves and are respectful towards and accepting of others.

Residential volunteers commit to volunteering for 6-8 hours per day, five days a week for a minimum of one month.

This enables everyone to become part of our community, as well as getting the most from their experience by putting their skills to good use while deepening their understanding of themselves and others.

In return for the time, effort and commitment you will be offering us, we will offer you:

• a comfortable, well furnished single room,
• three nourishing vegetarian meals each day,
• the opportunity to learn about buddhist philosophy and deepen your practice
• the chance to be a part of a supportive community with compassion and self-development at it’s heart.

Our volunteers work in a collaborative, open and supportive way with the mutual aim of creating a nurturing retreat environment for those for visit.

We try our best to enable you to use your existing skills, as well as developing new ones. Roles include centre, retreat and kitchen coordinators who volunteer alongside general volunteers. Each help where needed (housekeeping, retreat care, maintenance, garden & woodland), as well as taking care of their own responsibilities.

We believe strongly in creating and fostering a culture of kindness, open communication and mutual respect within our community. This requires everyone volunteering with Land of Joy having a common goal based on compassion with the intention to cultivate harmony and a feeling of support and safety amongst the team.

This combined with there being a mixed community of monastic (monks & nuns) and lay people (those who are not monks or nuns) either living at or visiting the centre means we ask all volunteers to help create harmony by living in accordance with the Five Mahayana Precepts:

1. Preserve life. This includes the lives of our smallest, most abundant, and at times, most difficult insects. ​
2. Respect other people’s property accepting only what is offered. ​
3. Speak only what is true. Dishonesty, gossip and divisive speech create disharmony. ​
4. Protect the integrity of others by refraining from sexual activity​
5. Cultivate clarity and concentration of the mind by abstaining from intoxicants and mind-altering substances including, drugs, alcohol, vapes and cigarettes.

Our Application Process

We follow a careful application process to ensure we find volunteers who are genuinely suited to supporting our community, while also making sure Land of Joy is the right fit for you.

We believe in transparency and open communication throughout this process. If you have any questions or would like an informal chat about volunteering with us, a member of our team would be happy to speak with you by phone or email during your application.

1. Submit a volunteer application form (via the button below), supplying all information and documentation required.
   
2. Our Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator will be in touch to discuss your application and organise an interview with you if appropriate.
   
3. If you and Land of Joy would like to proceed with process following your interview, will we gather your references and let you know whether your application has been successful.
   
4. If successful, a start date will be arranged.

Please note: DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Checks at Land of Joy

To ensure a safe environment and in line with our safer recruitment policy, Land of Joy requires a Basic DBS checks for those volunteering longer than three months and an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List for those volunteering during family retreats.

All DBS information is handled securely and in compliance with legal guidelines. For more details, contact us.

Current Vacancies

Become an essential member of the residential volunteer team by supporting retreat operations through cleaning, food prep, maintenance, and gardening in our beautiful Northumberland sanctuary. We’re seeking flexible, compassionate people ready for communal living and meaningful volunteering with opportunities to extend beyond three months.

Become an essential member of the residential volunteer team by preparing delicious, balanced and nutritious meals for your follow volunteers and those attending retreats.

Your Journey With Us

We want every volunteer to enjoy their time volunteering at Land of Joy and thrive whilst living in our community. Here’s what your journey with us will look like:

Your comprehensive introduction to life and work at Land of Joy, covering everything you need to settle in successfully, including relevant training.

A mutual check-in to see how you’re settling in and chat through any questions or concerns.

A more in-depth discussion for you and the centre to chat about how your volunteering is going.

An opportunity for respectful mutual feedback about your experience of volunteering at Land of Joy and suggestions for improvement.