Volunteer in 2024
Volunteering is an opportunity to support Bardsey Island and the work of the Trust in maintaining the land and buildings of this working island and to protect its wildlife and natural beauty. This is also an opportunity for you to stay on the island outside of the visitor season, or to spend an extended period on the island during the holiday season. In return for your accommodation, we ask approx. 5 hours work a day from you, 5 days a week. Go for it, apply today!
Pre-season Volunteers (Feb-March)
We are looking for volunteers who wish to join the island's team from the middle of February to the end of March. We are looking for individuals or a group of volunteers to come and help with getting the accommodation ready for the holiday season. There's a great deal of cleaning to do, as well as painting and preparing the rooms; you are welcome to apply for a week or longer.
Please choose ‘Pre-Season’ in the Application Form and enter preferred dates. (Wednesday to Wednesday). There is a higher chance of the boats not running regularly in March due to weather, so please be prepared to be flexible.
Available dates:
Pre-season volunteering is now full - all dates have been filled.
This is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of island life during the busy spring-summer months. You will help the team to maintain the houses, gardens and public areas to a high standard for visitors and staying guests. You will help the Accommodation Wardens on changeover days and in the gardens, and assist the Island Manager with land work and maintenance tasks. We are looking for enthusiastic, hard working volunteers. Suitable for individuals or a couple willing to share a room.
Available Dates
Long-term volunteering is now full - all dates have been filled.
Long-term Volunteers (Feb-Oct)
Post-season volunteers (October)
We are looking for volunteers who wish to join the island's team in October. We are looking for individuals or a group of volunteers to come and help closing the accommodation down after the holiday season. There's a great deal of cleaning to do, as well as painting and packing up furniture and sheets etc. ready for winter. You are welcome to apply for a week or two weeks.
Available Dates
all dates have been filled.
WE WILL BE OPENING 2025 VOLUNTEERING APPLICATION PROCESS IN SEPTEMBER 2024
How it works - Typical week
Wednesday - arrive - meet wardens and settle into accommodation,
Thursday - Work with the Island Manager on land work and maintenance tasks.
Friday - day off
Saturday - Changeover with Accommodation Wardens
Sunday - day off
Monday - Work on tasks set by Island Manager
Tuesday - Work with Accommodation Wardens in the gardens
Wednesday - Work with the Island Manager on land work and maintenance tasks.
Typical tasks include painting windows, signs and gates, grass cutting and collecting, weeding cobbles, maintaining the orchard, clearing and cutting paths on the mountainside, woodworking and beach cleans.
How it works - Application Process
If you are interested in applying to volunteer with us, fill in the application form and send to the address on the form. If you'd like more information contact bardseyenlli@gmail.com.
If the dates/opportunities do not fit into your schedule, please get in touch and we might be able to accommodate you for shorter periods.
What to expect - Accommodation
Please read the following information carefully before applying. The accommodation is basic and and certain times of year can be cold.
Accommodation: During the holiday season you will stay in Beudy Plas. Pre and post season you will be able to stay in the letting houses (seen on the website).
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Beudy Plas has one bedroom with two single beds and a kitchen located in the yard.
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Your accommodation will be provided with suitable cleaning fluids and equipment for your use.
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We kindly ask that you maintain a high level of cleanliness during your stay and leave the accommodation as you found it.
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Outdoor shower (if there is enough rainwater)
What to expect - Travel
Boat fare and Parking
Please find guest information below. The boat fare is £60 return per person and parking at the farm is £30 per week. It will probably be easier to pay these in cash on arrival.
Please call Colin Evans, the boatman, after 6.30pm on the evening before you leave to find out your departure time. Tel: 07971 769895. The Bardsey Office is unable to confirm the boat crossing times, we have no more information other than what can be found here. Also, please check that you have informed us of the correct number of passengers expected for the boat journey.
Have a safe journey and the wardens will pop around to welcome within the first hour of your arrival to give you all the latest information on your accommodation and answer any questions you may have.
Before you email us with a further enquiry, please visit our FAQ page for answers to many frequently asked questions.
Arrival at Cwrt Farm
Please drive up the farm entrance, past the farmhouse on your right and park your car in the field behind the house.
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Please do not approach the household’s doorway, payment for parking can be made by depositing cash or cheque to G Roberts into the collection bucket that will be clearly visible. Please bring the correct amount (£20 per car per week), as no change will be given.
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Please note that there are no public toilets at Cwrt. The nearest public toilets at the National Trust car park in Aberdaron. Why not pop into Islyn bakery and Spar for your shopping at the same time!
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Once you’re parked up, the luggage tractor and trailer will arrive shortly, and you will be instructed on what to do next.
Luggage
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Please pack your luggage carefully, bearing in mind that you will need to be able to lift each bag/box above shoulder height to get it on and off the boat and that it may also get wet! A few smaller waterproof bags are better than one big case. Please keep it to approx. 30kg per person.
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Plastic storage boxes are ideal - here’s an example
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In order to reduce the amount of handling, we kindly ask that you pack ONLY WHAT YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED.
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Don’t forget to clearly label each bag and box with the name of the house where you’ll be staying otherwise they may get mislaid in transit.
BARDSEY ISLAND VOLUNTEER CHECKLIST
We’ve produced this handy checklist of things to make sure you enjoy your stay and don’t forget anything:
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Medication – make sure you have plenty of any prescribed medication/epi-pens/insulin etc, and extra in case of a delayed return crossing.
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Food and drink - there are no grocery shops here so make sure you’ve packed all the food you need and a little bit extra in case you get stranded a day or two. Each house has a small fridge and freezer compartment.
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There is ample drinking water on the island, you won’t need to bring any with you. The farm has soft drinks, wines, beers and spirits for sale by the bottle as well as eggs, lobster and crab. You can also book a takeaway evening meal and/or breakfast by prior arrangement. Tel: 07535 064943 or e-mail wgroberts@hotmail.co.uk. Please also contact them beforehand to order fresh produce.
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Bed sheets and duvet covers for single beds if staying in Beudy Plas
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Pillowcases
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Tea towels and towels
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Slippers or indoor footwear is recommended as the floors can be cold.
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Suitable work-wear – raincoat, waterproofs, walking boots, wellies.
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Head torch – each house has some solar powered lighting provided but it’s recommended that you bring a head torch for the evenings and night-time trips to the toilet!
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Solar charger and battery pack – we have very limited electricity provided by solar, we recommend bringing a solar charger or fully charged battery pack if you have one; we are able to charge small items like phones or cameras for you if it’s sunny/windy enough.
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Cash – there are a few gift shops and a café, and as we don’t have an ATM do bring plenty of cash or a cheque book.
What we supply
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Washing up liquid
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Dish-washing sponge and cleaning cloths
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Your kitchen has all the utensils you need.
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Toilet roll
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Pillows and duvet for each bed
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Hot water bottles
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Work gloves and tools (Although-feel free to bring your own)
Thank you for reading this pack, and we hope to hear from you soon!