From the first moments thinking about how to restore this property, we knew that we did not want to employ teams of contractors to take on this mammoth task but rather have a more hands-on approach. The initial dreams that this could be a family project were soon thwarted as the scale of the work became apparent, so we had to think about where our much-needed assistance could come from. The solution that we decided upon was Work Away.

To speak generally, Work Away is a volunteering platform. Those that are seeking meaningful experiences can search the Work Away site to find a suitable host, who is willing to accommodate them. The deal is that food and accommodation are exchanged for minimal working hours. Hosts receive a helping hand for whatever task is in need and the Work Away volunteer is able to contribute to an inspiring project while being immersed in a local community or the host’s family life.  Work Away hosts can search for help with anything, from running a yoga retreat, helping children with a second language, or even restoring a Grade II listed building in the English countryside.

Over the years, Sand Manor has been a temporary home for many individuals who have joined the restoration team and sought to leave their mark on this historic building. In turn, we have been fortunate enough to meet amazing, inspiring people who have brought skills that we would not have even thought to ask for to our remote corner of Devon. This ever-changing work force has kept the energy and motivation flowing into the restoration of Sand Manor, and we will be forever thankful to every person that left their mark on this wonderful building!

If you are interested in devoting some time to the team at Sand, please contact us – useful skills are widely varied and we would love to hear from you.