Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings

We have just spent two months with Marga at her wee school, November and December 2025. As a couple in our 70s, we had some concern that we were too old to enjoy, or to contribute much in, a Workaway post. Although we had several years’ experience of working overseas it had been over 15 years since we had last worked abroad. We need not have worried however, as we left Galle last week having enjoyed ourselves and feeling fulfilled. At Marga's we had established a routine of getting up with the light and quickly sweeping out the rooms and balconies, washing floors when necessary, then enjoying a leisurely breakfast of fruit on the balcony. We then headed out to have fun in the morning before returning for work in the afternoon. This consisted of cleaning the classroom furniture and helping with preparation and delivery of lessons. Marga is hugely experienced and has a wealth of teaching resources, so our role was purely supportive, helping Adheesha the trainee classroom assistant to draw up and print learning plans and documents for the students to use in lessons and homework. During lessons we corrected homework and supported the students. Marga is creative with her teaching, and even involved us in cooking a haggis dinner for a lesson on nutrition! The kids clearly love her, and the sentiment is mutual. The kids were good fun and very respectful, and we also enjoyed participating in an evening spoken English class for adults. In our morning free time we explored Galle Fort and also the tourist-free parts of the city. Because we were there for a couple of months, Marga suggested joining a gym at Jetwing Lighthouse, which also has a brilliant 25m pool, and we made good use of these facilities. At weekends we visited beaches at Weligama and Unawatuna, and we went up to Boosa with Marga and her doggies for a few days during the Christmas break (a word of caution here: although both doggies are sweet, Macho is nervous, and so needs to be treated with respect especially when he is frightened by thunder or fireworks). Marga was always on hand for support and advice, and even introduced us to the joys of Rummicrub! We had a good time on this placement and would recommend it to Workaway folk of all ages.

Last fall, Korea had a lot of rain. Organic farming was extremely difficult. However, working with Lydia made that time a happy one. She's a quiet person, but she's very efficient at what she does. She was a regular exerciser, so whenever we worked on the farm or hiked, she was always full of energy. She also got along well with the other volunteers we worked with. In addition to her native English, she spoke Macedonian fluently, so she occasionally taught us a few beautiful phrases of the language and introduced us to Macedonian culture. It was a wonderful experience for all of us. The meals she occasionally prepared for everyone were also truly delicious. We can recommend Lydia with confidence and positivity.

I spent a wonderful month with Danny, Kristy and Billy. They welcomed me into their little family with open arms and I had some amazing experiences. They really helped me with my homesickness! I saw a kiwi with Danny!!! They gave me lots of tips on things to do in the area and Kristy always cooked delicious meals for us. She always made sure that I have everything I needed. I also really enjoyed the work and it always flew by. I spent a lot of time with Billy and helped out around the house. I went on a few great trips with Kristy and Billy. Russell is a really great place and there are lots of beautiful spots to discover! I can wholeheartedly recommend Kristy and Danny to anyone who wants to work with a warm and welcoming family. It was a dream!

Grady & Erica were wonderful to have staying over the Christmas/NY period. We were away for some of the time they stayed, so they were looking after our house and Ivy the cat - it was very clear these guys were huge animal fans and Ivy was very well looked after. We also spent a few days with Grady and Erica before and after we were away and we were treated to the most delicious meals. They are hugely respectful, down-to-earth, interesting to chat to and just lovely to have around. I would highly recommend these guys and I hope the rest of their travels around NZ/Oz go well.

I stayed for almost 3 amazing weeks here at the hostel in Oaxaca, and from the beginning I felt welcomed quickly. Lev and Eli are two of the chillest owners I’ve ever met, always happy to see my work, and i always felt appreciated. The hostel is not a party hostel. Its a chill hostel where you meet those people you would never meet otherwise (very interesting and inspiring people). I only spent here 3 weeks so i did some social media work, and videos But mainly helped Anthony on the roof with a fence which was a good experience which i learned alot from and proud to get it finished. I also hosted social events which was a new experience for me, but very fun to prepare!! The volunteers were awesomel Adrian and Suzan were great managers, Anthony is an absolute legend, Omre always kept things interesting, Ferdi (my boy) made my last days way more fun, and Jade added the good vibes. For me this was more than just a place to stay or volunteer it felt like being part of a small family for a while. I left with great memories, lots of new contacts. I highly recommended to anyone looking for a chill but meaningful hostel experience.

I had a good time teaching in Mints School in Nakhon Sawan. It was definitely a new experience for me but once you get to know the students it is pretty easy and very rewarding. Mint was kind and made sure we had everything we needed. We were allowed to eat at two nearby restaurants and mints own restaurant for free and also had enough free time to explore the city. Thank you Mint for the experience!

I don’t think i could’ve wished for a better workaway experience in Thailand. P Kui and the family made me and the other volunteers feel right at home and made sure we had everything we needed. Living with them gave me the kind of insight into the thai culture that you just don’t get as a normal tourist. The work was fun and meaningful wich made it feel very rewarding. We would help cooking in the evening and have huge dinners with friends from the village who brought fresh vegetables from their farm. In our free time we were allowed to use the scooters and explore some nearby sights in the area. Thank you to everyone who made this experience so special! I can only recommend it. My standards for workaways are very high now.

I spent good amount of time with Petrusa. We went to the gym, hike, party, restaurants, festivals together and she became a good friend. She's open-minded and got good manner towards feedback. I feel comfortable to talk to her about everything. She's also fun to be with. She's always welcome back to stay with us.

I didn’t realize until now that I never submitted feedback for this incredible couple! We have had the opportunity to work alongside Bing and Karen on three short (week-long) stays and are now planning our fourth—an extended stay. This couple has such an incredible gift for loving and caring for people in such a kind and gracious way. They are genuine in their concern and passion for people, animals, and the land they are honored to steward. Going back to Shepherd’s Bridge is like going home! Whether we are helping them prepare to host events, caring for animals, gardening, organizing, or simply enjoying meaningful conversation, we feel truly blessed to work alongside them.

Excelente Voluntario, Tommaso una gran persona y un excelente trabajador, Solo tengo buenas experiencias mientras el trabajo en el hostel, sin duda lo recomiendo como un excelente Voluntario.

Thank you so much Mac, Hayley and Sam for a wonderful stay! Your retreat is truly beautiful and it felt really special to contribute to meaningful work in such a peaceful and intentional space, I learned a lot during my stay. Your family is so lovely and I really appreciated the evening meals altogether as well as the many meaningful conversations and connections made with other guests. I really valued the sense of community and creativity (drums and singing!) as well as quiet moments of reflection. The Workaway tasks were varied and enjoyable, I loved working in the garden and am also very grateful for the opportunity to join some of the workshops, including life coaching with Liz and Watercolours with Glen. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

I absolutely loved my time in Charleroi! I stayed for 3 weeks helping out on the farm. Jake works really hard, he never stops going between working his full time job and creative projects for friends he’s always going , this also on top of tending to his animals and garden! Remi and Lucy were an absolute joy to be around such wonderful kids, I was very lucky I got to see them perform in their school Christmas play such cuties! My time was a relaxed and educational one helping out on the farm and I learned so much from Jake he made sure I got to do everything I wanted to achieve out of the stay that included sheering sheep and carpentry experience ! Jake is a great communicator and craftsman and under his instruction and guidance I got do saw milling , wood splitting , filling epoxy resin / sanding & painting a gumtree work top , door painting & help out on a coat rack station project as well as other chores working the vegetable beds and helping out on the retainer wall and learning to make the yummiest bread! I’d like to return sometime in the future to work on a tiny home project that would be cool! It was an unforgettable stay thanks for everything !!!

Jack is a great volunteer and you would be lucky to have him contribute to your project. Is very knowledgeable, bringing many skills with him, but also open to learning new ones, and approaches any project with dedication and commitment to doing it well. He quickly adapts to his surroundings with kindness and respect, and was well received in our small yucatecan community. I'm sure he would be a great addition to your project given the opportunity.

Irene was our first workaway experience and we couldn't have chosen better. We were planning on staying with her for two weeks but she kindly offered us to stay one more week and we gladly accepted since her house felt like a real home. Everytime Irene was home we had dinner together and often watched a movie afterwards. We had amazing conversations and really loved spending time with her. Whenever she went out she offered to take us with her. The work we did was also really fun. During our stay we did different kinds of projects like insulating a cat house or sanding/painting a toy box. We also helped around the house and tried new things we didn't even know we were capable of. We always had enough free time and Irene was very considerate. She often brought us snacks and little things from the supermarket even if we didn't ask for it. Definitely recommend for vegans! Our room was great (the best part was the heating blanket) as well as the whole house and its location. Not to forget the real stars of the house: THE CATS! We instantly fell in love with them. Almost every night we had one (or two) of them sleeping in our bedroom and spoiling our evenings with cuddles :-) Irene was so kind and you could really tell what a good person she is. We still think about her and miss our time together. Hopefully we can come back one day ;-) Thank you so much for everything, Irene ❤️

Lucas and Paula are fantastic volunteers. If they contact you in search of a volunteer position, I urge you to accept their offer. They're willing and capable of just about any task given, and they are very respectful of the needs of other people, including the beneficiaries of our work. In fact, Lucas and Paula became valued members of our community in the short time that they were here. Not only did they contribute to the preservation of the Mayan houses in our village, but also proved to be kind and considerate souls who found a place with the people of our pueblo.

Paul and Annie were an absolute pleasure to host and I highly recommend them. From day one, they showed real integrity and trustworthiness, always thinking ahead and talking through the next steps. If something went wrong (like ducks getting out of the night cage becausea hole), they came straight to me and had a plan on how to fit it. They were humble, easygoing, and we shared plenty of laughs. Tasks were always seen through to the end. I am so grateful for their hard work. They were quick to learn new things, and fitted well into farm life. That gratitude showed in their attitude every single day — positive, respectful, and fully present. They were incredibly kind and patient, especially on days when I was tired from lack of sleep, and always gentle with the dogs and other animals. They were extremely generous with their time above the set hours, took responsibility seriously (including feeding dogs and animals morning and afternoon), and were completely reliable. Paul and Annie communicated well, worked equally well together or independently, and brought a lot of life experience and wisdom. They were open-minded, eager to learn, and spoke about their “day of firsts” — bringing sheep and cows into the yards, drenching, and tackling unfamiliar farm jobs. They asked thoughtful questions about the farm, Rotorua, and New Zealand, and clearly cared about the place, even taking on a full garden and greenhouse makeover. They adapted easily when plans changed and showed good judgment throughout. Above all, I am grateful and appreciated all their help. Their positive spirit made them an absolute joy to have around. I would happily welcome them back anytime. Best Workawayer I ever had. They are life savers

We had a great time at this Workaway! We lived with and looked after 7 dogs overall at the house we stayed at - 4 10 month old puppies, 2 adult dogs and 1 dog in a wheelchair. Sandrine was welcoming and had good communication, she always made sure we had the staple food in and checked in on us regularly. She took us to the Supermarket when she was going to Zihua and took us to see the dogs at the dog sanctuary there. The place was organised and the jobs were clear, with a white board of medication information about the dogs - if we were ever unsure Sandrine was prompt to reply to let us know. Most of our jobs consisted of basic cleaning of the house and cleaning up after the dogs and giving them medication. We would have loved more opportunity to do other things with dogs in the community however we were only there for 2 weeks. The house itself was basic but had everything we needed for cooking in the outdoor kitchen. We enjoyed living basic with using the local well to fill up the water tanks. It gets very dusty at the house in dry season because the garden is basically dry dirt, however there are sheets to cover the beds and there are boxes of old clothes that people have left for volunteers to use whilst there (don't expect to be clean for very long). Troncones itself is really beautiful, the people are friendly and it has the most amazing sunsets. Every evening at 5pm the local turtle sanctuary released turtles into the sea (you need the right time of year to see this), and there are good waves to body board. To get to Troncones is a little tricky from Zihua - you have to catch 2 combi buses (Sandrine is very helpful at telling you where to go) but we actually hitch hiked to a lot local places. We fell in love with all the dogs in such a short amount of time, and were inspired by the genuine love for dogs there, especially from Sandrine. Thank you! Carla and Lauren x

Meli stayed with us around a month, as a volunteering experience she is 10/10, she is super reliable, independant thinking (and in the best way possible), she is observant and pro active, she has helped us with many different tasks for the garden, the maintenance, cleaning and so on. As much as physical draining tasks, as artistics or quiet she was always focused and efficient. There is probably nothing she cannot get done. Appart from the very practicle part of her contribution Meli is a wonderful person, we feel blessed and grateful to have meet her, she brings joy and positive attitude in everything she does and wherever she goes! It was a privileged to host her and get to become part of each others lives for a little while. We sure hope our paths will meet again and we would recomend anyone and everyone to welcome her a volunteer as you'll be lucky to host Meli. We already miss her and our dogs as well.

Excellent experience! If you love horses, there are many great opportunities to ride them and take care of them. The work is light and flexible. I focused on house duties and spent a great time with Flora and Maju, my favorite part was sharing time with them, they are the cutest, I love them! and Victor is always ready for adventure, which makes this a complete cultural exchange.