Volunteer with USMake a lasting & meaningful impact!
The heart of our Buddhist Centre
Buddhist retreat and meditation centre Gomde UK is based in Doncaster, Yorkshire, UK and flourishes through the open heartedness and unwavering generosity of our dedicated volunteers—Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike—who embody our values of calm, kind, and clear. Our friendly, open and inspiring community provides the perfect environment to develop new skills, forge new friendships, and connect more deeply with nature, supporting our mission to nurture heart, mind, and land. We strive to care for the land and its finite resources, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all life.Many people volunteer to help realise our founder and Tibetan Buddhist Teacher & Meditation Master Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s vision for Gomde UK. For others, it is simply the draw of the place and a wish to contribute.
Your contribution here extends far beyond our doors, creating ripples of positive change in the wider world. Whether you’re drawn to Buddhist teachings, environmental stewardship, or simply the joy of service, we offer various ways to get involved—from a few hours of your time on site, joining our resident volunteer community or helping remotely.
Where We Are
We’re situated within the expansive Lindholme Hall Estate in South Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, covering 180 acres on an ‘island’ at the heart of the vast 3,500-acre Hatfield Moor. This secluded retreat is encircled by the Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve, providing an ideal setting for environmental stewardship, quiet reflection, Buddhist study, and meditation.Our bond with the local community grows stronger each year. Events like our Open Days, family gatherings, and the much-anticipated annual Summer Fete bring together hundreds of local families for a day of joy and new connections. We’re looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you into our community of volunteers.
Here, every effort enriches our collective journey toward fostering a happier, healthier, and more sustainable world. Come as you are and make a positive difference!
More information about our location, how to travel to us and what’s on can be found here.
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What We Look For
“Be calm, kind and clear. This is the most valuable things we human beings can learn, train in and master.”
Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche
Our team is friendly, open and informal and fosters a great spirit of community. All are welcome who share our ethos of kindness. Whether you’re looking to share your skills or develop new skills we will have something for you. We have lots of different ways in which you can make a difference to Gomde UK, from offering just a few hours a week to becoming part of the resident community.
What We Offer
- A Warm & Welcoming Community: Meet new friends and forge lasting relationships through shared endeavours. Enjoy community meals lovingly prepared by our volunteer cooks, enjoy a cuppa or participate in our daily meditation and Dharma activities!
- A Peaceful Environment: Situated on a 180-acre ‘island’ in the centre of Hatfield Moors, surrounded by the Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve, Gomde offers the perfect setting for reflection and finding peace amidst natural beauty and seclusion of the estate.
- Development Of New Skills: With activities ranging from gardening and land conservation to admin, hospitality and DIY, Gomde UK provides a variety of opportunities to excel in what you do best and expand your skill set across new areas.
- Personal Growth: Whether joining our Monday meditation group, participating in daily practice sessions, or exploring our vast collection of Buddhist literature in the library, there are plenty of opportunities for learning, reflection and applying teachings through practice.
- Flexibility: As much as possible, we aim to fit around your availability, whether you’re looking to contribute a few hours daily or weekly on-site, offer your skills remotely, or make a longer-term commitment.
- Make A Lasting Impact: Volunteering at Gomde UK goes beyond fulfilling immediate needs. Each task you undertake supports our mission extending benefits to our visitors and their wider communities, creating positive ripples far beyond this time and place.
Areas You Can Help In
There are many ways you can contribute, whether remotely or part-time or full-time on-site volunteer!
HOSPITALITY
Help with event management, look after our many guests. Help ensure our communal spaces and rooms are clean, tidy, and inviting for everyone who visits.BOOKKEEPING & ADMINISTRATION
Support the foundation of our work through essential administrative tasks, from coordinating retreat and event bookings to fundraising.
GARDENING
Help care for our formal and vegetable gardens in ways that honour our connection to nature and support sustainable living.CONSERVATION
Help maintain our 180-acre estate, including woodlands, grasslands, and peatlands, ensuring their health and sustainability.
COOKING
Prepare nutritious vegetarian meals using fresh produce from our organic garden for our residents and visitors.IT & TECHNOLOGY
Make Buddhist teachings accessible to a broader audience by supporting our online offerings and digital resources.MARKETING, MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
Create engaging content, contribute to social media, and assist with communication strategies to further our mission and help realise our vision.
MAINTENANCE & BUILDING
Lend your skills to construction, carpentry, decorating, repairs, and general upkeep of our facilities.BUDDHIST DHARMA ACTIVITIES
Assist with preparing materials, setting up spaces, and coordinating schedules for Buddhist Dharma teachings, retreats, seminars, and practices.EVENT PLANNING & COORDINATION
Help create transformative experiences through organising retreats, seminars, and community events.
SHOP & LIBRARY
Assist with all our library tasks or support our shop offering dharma items, books, and practical goods and momentos.PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING
Capture teachings, seminars, and events to share with our wider community and preserve important moments.FUNDRAISING
Help bring our vision for Gomde UK to life. From building a new Buddhist temple to enhancing our facilities and supporting ongoing projects, your creativity and commitment can make a real difference. Whether developing fundraising strategies, organising events, or connecting with donors, your efforts will directly support our growth and sustainability.Contact Us
Resident Volunteers
Resident Volunteering in a Buddhist settingOur resident volunteer program offers a unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in community life, daily practice, and valuable service at Gomde UK. Resident volunteering opportunities start from a minimum of 3 months, with longer-term placements warmly welcomed.
We are seeking enthusiastic, adaptable individuals willing to lend a hand wherever needed. While we aim to match tasks with your skills and interests, flexibility is essential as Gomde’s needs can vary. As a resident volunteer, you will contribute around 6–7 hours per day, five days a week across agreed-upon areas of work that align with your abilities and our community’s current needs.
In exchange for your dedication, we provide:
- Private accommodation
- Nutritious vegetarian meals
- Monthly stipend for longer-term volunteers
- Travel allowance
- Generous holiday allocation
- Daily Buddhist meditation and practice opportunities
- Access to our wide-ranging facilities including meditation hall, library and lounge area
- The chance to experience life within our serene natural surroundings
This deeply rewarding experience allows you to live, learn, and grow with us, while making a meaningful contribution to our community’s growth and sustainability.
We are especially seeking volunteers for these key positions:
- Gardener — Help take care of our formal and vegetable gardens
- Land Management — Help take care of our 180-acre estate
- Volunteer Cook — Help prepare nutritious vegetarian meals for our community
- Housekeeper — Maintain our peaceful living and practice spaces
- Building and Maintenance — Help create our facilities
- Administrative Assistant — Support the day-to-day functioning of our centre
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and encourage anyone with enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute to apply.
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