Volunteering

 

Every year The Mount Community welcomes a group of live-in international volunteer co-workers. No experience is necessary but a reasonably good ability in the English language is essential. Volunteers should be a minimum of 18 years old. The minimum commitment is for one year. We provide accredited training called The Mount Introduction Course with Care Certificate, accredited to Level 2.

Volunteer vacancies

Our volunteers are tasked with helping to support students in the College or members of the Cohousing community. As they are usually the same age or just a little older than the students or supported Cohousing members, they can offer valuable peer support and friendship. Students, cohousers and volunteers living and working together create a spirit of responsibility and co-operation which nurtures self-awareness, mutual understanding and social creativity in a safe community environment. 

 What young co-workers said after one year at The Mount:

"Thank you so much for the wonderful year I was able to spend at the Mount! It really is such a special place with generous and passionate people, and I will always hold the memories of this year dear to my heart. I was able to learn so much and am very thankful for the support and kindness I received. Again, thank you!"

"Living in this environment stimulates your own growth and self-development"

"Taking responsibility is challenging".

"It was the most interesting, intensive, valuable and exhausting year I ever had!"

"Being at the Mount as a coworker has been a gift. I've met friends for life, it unlocked a whole new view onto myself and the world around me."   

"To this day, I always think back to my time at the Mount, whether I'm struggling or doing well in life, because I learned so much from it."  

"A unique experience, where the handing over of love towards one another is fundamental; one learns to be family and community, so much so that they remain in my heart ever since." 

 

THE GARDEN OF MY DREAMS

There is a place,

I found a place,

I found a place,

Where the trees are still green,

Where the winds still blow,

In the right directions,

Where the sunset looks unreal,

There is a golden glimpse,

I found a place,

Where nature still looks

Like paradise.

 

Better even,

I found a place,

Where people still live,

Where people still love,

Where people still care,

I found a place that feels like home.

Not because I am born there,

But because my love is accepted,

Wanted,

I am accepted.

 

It heals me,

To have found a place,

Where it doesn’t matter,

Doesn’t matter where you’re from,

What colour your skin has,

Or whom you love,

Doesn’t matter,

How much help you need,

You are right,

You are accepted.

 

They meet you where you are.

 

I found a place,

Where people still care,

Still fight for the right thing.

I found a place,

That showed me,

That every single person,

Every single gesture counts.

 

There is a person,

I had a conversation with,

She said that sentence,

That’s never going to leave me

“We need people with special needs,

At least as much as they need us”

There is one thing that beats hate,

And that is love.

 

There can never be a person,

Giving too much love,

Caring too much,

You are never too much,

This community made me understand that,

Understand myself.

 

This community gave me a home,

So I could find the home,

Within myself.

So I could heal while helping.

Maybe there is a word for it, whether it is Hope or Peace,

But you do make a difference,

 

So, THANK YOU.

Noemi Lena Sarodnick - College Volunteer August 2025 to July 2026

To find out more, click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)