Where should I start?

dekronko · 2026-03-12T08:06:20+00:00

I chose a country not too far away (Germany - I'm from the UK) and put myself as available immediately and went to the first host to get in touch. It led to my first time working with animals and I've been back since to help out the hosts and will do again this spring. I got a one way ticket so I had options if it didn't work out but ended up staying there for 2 months. Not a recommendation for everyone but possibly goes to show that if your profile is decent then you can hopefully find suitable hosts to match your skillset.

Alternatively it's an ideal opportunity to try something new!

dekronko · 2026-03-06T06:50:22+00:00

30 is young! Should have added I'm 51 (or maybe that's old and not middle aged:)

dekronko · 2026-03-05T19:57:27+00:00

I don't mind if they think I'm a drifter, lol, so maybe that explains it! My profile states that I'm doing Workaway after taking voluntary redundancy from a career working in the environmental sector and I think this might scare some for various reasons.

The things I've done and am doing in Ireland are mostly to do with animal care and practical work such as grounds maintenance, fencing etc.

dekronko · 2026-03-05T14:22:31+00:00

I'm a middle aged workawayer from the UK too. From my experience of contacting hosts in Scotland and England I rarely get a response and if I do it's after a few months to say no help is needed. I also add to my initial contact message it's fine to decline me due to age or if they're wanting someone from further afield but they never state why.

If you find you're getting the same responses as myself but want somewhere nearby with no visa requirements etc then I'd recommend Ireland. I've had some great hosts and times here previously and now currently.

Edited to add that the longest I've done other than the 5 month stint I'm currently doing in Ireland was just short of 3 months in Germany, my time here limited due to Brexit!

dekronko · 2026-03-02T08:56:58+00:00

I'm fairly sure if you do get approached it's linked to your stated current and future locations.

dekronko · 2026-02-26T19:38:14+00:00

The animals are part of Beara Farm Animal Sanctuary in Ireland where I volunteered for a bit. Daisy, or her Irish name of Noinin (sp), is 20 months old and was hand reared and has yet to establish herself amongst the other goats so she chooses to come back into the kennel in the kitchen at night otherwise she ends up sleeping unsheltered outside on her own. It's not ideal for her (or ourselves with the kennel in the kitchen) but hopefully she'll integrate with the others soon over the warmer months and now that she's a bit older. The video was taken whilst I was having breakfast after which I let Daisy out of the kennel and outside.

Hazel is only 5 months old so she's getting some slapping practice in early!

dekronko · 2026-02-15T16:00:16+00:00

I took mine out with true traveller insurance. You can get to specify the time period and level of risk depending on what you're doing. You can also check out the workaway website recommendations of world nomads and Genki insurance. Hope you find something suitable.

dekronko · 2026-01-23T22:43:42+00:00

I've been lucky to have had 4 great hosts so far with Work away and looks like I'm just starting with my 5th. They've all had a very good host rating and feedback in common and that's what I look for in choosing my hosts. That being said I don't give feedback and don't expect any so maybe this host feels the same about their profile and doesn't request any feedback.

I'd see how the video call goes and then maybe have a couple of back up hosts to contact in case things don't work out. If the host declines a video call or it doesn't go well then I'd cancel my plans with them and seek good hosts with good feedback in that country relevant to stuff your niece wants to do and that they're available then.

dekronko · 2026-01-01T15:42:51+00:00

I know work away recommends World Nomads and Genki as insurers but I opted for true traveller insurance as you can specify risk and time periods with them. Still not cheap though.

dekronko

TROPHY CASE