We depend on regular Working Friends – our wider community – who come and support all the work here at Scargill.
Working Friends come and help for a day or for a week, or just a couple of times a year. We want to welcome people to Scargill, and make them feel comfortable, but sometimes we can’t do that without a lot of extra pairs of hands (and the warm hearts and smiles that come with them).
Who can become a Working Friend?
Anyone! As long as you’re aged 18 or over and you think you’re fit enough. The nature of the work on house, kitchen and estate is quite physically demanding, so please be realistic about what you can manage — for your sake as well as ours. We don’t want you to go home so exhausted that you feel unable to come again! Most of our Working Friends are recruited from among our guests, who want to get more involved.
What’s involved?
You will join one of our teams – House, Admin, Kitchen, Estate, Pastoral, join the Host Team to help with front of house or help as short term caretaker. On arrival, your work duties will be explained by the team leader or person in charge.
Any health and safety issues will also be explained. You are encouraged, when able, to enter into the activities of the programme. It is also very helpful for speakers if they know they have the support of your prayers.
What would the hours be?
Each team has a different work schedule, and you’ll be informed as to the hours you will be expected to work. Most Community Members work an 8-hour day, but Working Friends will be allocated 5-6 hours. This might be in one stretch or spread throughout the day according to the team you are working with.
How often might you come?
If you can come regularly (e.g. once a month, fortnightly or weekly) it helps both you and us. You will find that you soon become an experienced and valuable member of your team and a welcomed member of our ever-changing community family. Working Friends often come for several days at a time or, for those who live near enough, on a particular weekday/day of the month.
What about bed and board?
Accommodation is provided free of charge. We simply ask for a small payment of £7 per day to cover meals and refreshments (but if that’s a barrier, we’d rather you paid less than not come at all).
Can you join in?
If there is a specific talk, workshop or activity you would like to attend, please talk to your team leader as soon as possible, who will try to arrange time off so that you can attend’
What’s the next step?
If you would like to progress this, please complete the enquiry form. The working friends coordinator will be delighted to hear from you and will provide you with more information about what is involved.
Potential Working Friends need to complete an application form, a DBS check, and will come for an initial visit before completing a Working Friends Agreement.