Educational centre, smallholding
Shropshire
Visitors stay a 'minimum of 1 week', which can be extended, to 2-4 weeks, if everyone is happy :)
* Critical thinkers and creative individuals are particularly welcome here.
We take immense pleasure in working alongside 'Open Minds', who hold contemporary planetary and social concerns, and seek to rise their consciousness as 'individuals'.
Individuals who have independently studied, subjects such as Transhumanism, Mass formation, and the Psychology of Totalitarianism, would benefit from their experience here. Side by side, with daily physical tasks, this would ensure clear thinking individuals', full appreciation of our practice, and would bring more meaning, peace and happiness into their lives.
*Unparticular, we are very happy to take on Wwoofers, with *Carpentry and Forestry skills.
** Would like to get help with Filming and making, short, u-tube type thing videos**
We are an18 acre Forest Garden project, first established in 2005. (Largest FG project in UK) Reforestation-New woodlands, forest gardens/arboretum, orchards, organic veg, and herb beds.
We practice "Insight Design", a practice that has taken many years, of design application, experimentation, research, healing, and ongoing learning experience.
Like life itself, our place teaches that we should ever be in motion. There's always more to learn!
It's a place where people with ‘creative vision’ and ‘action’ meet, for positive change!
'True sustainability', developing and raising awareness, 'wildlife conservation', holistic healing, good respectful communication, music and art are our deepest concerns. We are oriented towards the experience of 'change', simplicity and compassionate living.
*Varied tasks, according to seasons, and projects needs e.g. help with Veg plots- (planting/weeding/harvesting/preservation) *TREE SURGERY, forestry, Firewood stax, Site maintenance, eco/Natural building / Film making.
Visitors accommodation= 'basic, clean, touring caravan, under a *dry shelter'.
This is 'your' own personal space.
Meals are taken in the 70ft Polytunnel, Roundhouse, 'Tea house' by the natural swimming pool, or outside numerous picnic tables.
The Roundhouse is our own 'private personal space' which we also like to share from time to time.
Both squat and seated 'Compost loos', are located a short distance from accommodation.
*Hot camping shower, or bucket wash, *Natural swimming Pool, (Makes hair soft as Silk).
Internet access - *No Wifi in the roundhouse. For a while, it does you immense good to be 'without it' anyway. Good mobile signal by the pond, and from other on site locations.
*Consider this as something to 'learn by', during your ' working retreat'.
The site has been created into one of the U.K. 's unique, Forest Garden demonstration sites, through 'continual Pioneering activity, and heaps of dedication, commitment and love for the natural world.
*Invitees, will participate in activities for around 5-6 hours a day.
A flexible, 'open-minded', willing approach is essential!
We particularly appreciate having guests who express themselves, and are capable of discussing Alternative points o view, beyond the dinosaur media.
* Before applying, please ensure that you fill out your thoughtful profile properly, indicating your age, experience, hobbies and interests etc. So that we can respond having made an informed decision about you, the applicant.
NO NEED TO BOTHER APPLYING OTHERWISE!
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** 'LONG-TERM' Wwoofing is sometimes possible, after trial period (Ideally suited to couple, though not necessarily so).
Some of 'our' interests' include, Forest Gardening, Herbalism, Naturopathy, Raw Foods, and other special diets, Raw Juice Therapy, Ayurveda, Karma yoga (Yoga of ACTION), Massage, Music, Adventure Motorbiking, reading and Art. Plus Town & country Pubs/Real Ales, occasional Gigs. Hiking, celebrating our original connection with the land-through 'Organic' agriculture/forestry and 'Intuition', which is 'fundamental' to *Insight Design.
*Only fit, healthy people should apply!
We are experienced 'Natural Builders', we welcome, craftsmen such as*Carpenters, *Stone masons, *Tractor/Car mechanics.
PETS.
We have a Female Dog, *'Rhodesian Ridgeback'
Visitors dogs are sometimes welcome, though we are unable to accommodate them in our Caravans. Please ask!
Many guests, with 'live in vehicles', and pets, have made a stay, which was OK.
*This needs to be discussed, as All dogs are different.
Before contacting us please view our website www.katuna.org.uk
Welcome to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/karunainsightdesign .
This will give a good indication of the type of project. Be sure to read other wwoofers experiences too.
Thank You :)
"Like a natural forest, it comprises a wide diversity of plants, occupying seven levels or 'Storey's',but,unlike the natural forest, almost all its plants have been carefully chosen to meet human needs..It is in fact ,an attempt to create a model, life-support system, which would enable a family or 'small community', to achieve a considerable degree of self-sufficiency in necessities throughout the year, while enjoying health-giving exercise in a beautiful, unpolluted and stimulating environment". (R A de J Hart)
"Relax. Open your heart to the spirit of the tree and try not to prejudge what will happen.
Visualize breathing the atmosphere of the tree into your heart chakra. Let your thoughts flow, and as with meditation, gently bring your focus back to the tree, each time you are aware of your thoughts, wandering too far." (by Glennie Kindred)-----
Paradoxically-***allow the trees to inspire and take you into the world of the 'practitioner'~ 'doing and celebrating', allowing thoughts to drift, observed and unobserved". (Janta).
Certification: organic, but not certified. Too expensive-Ironically, *soil association only support Large scale farming! Sadly, offers no support to the thousands, small scale UK food growers.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
7.3
Hectares
|
18
Acres
Janta
Member since 2009
Languages spoken:
English, Hebrew
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 86%
Response time: typically within 3 days
Shropshire
Can collect from Shrewsbury or Church Stretton station, some walk, some cycle
Reviews
Miranda
United Kingdom
•
September 2025
I had a great week here. Janta and Merav clearly thought about what my experience would be like, days were full and varied as I was quickly adopted into life at [Host]. Jobs included harvesting, pressing apples, woodland management, weeding and watering, and caring for the ducks. Janta is a creative chef and the food was great. Merav's knowledge and connection with the garden was great to tap into. I had interesting, thought-provoking conversations with both of them. I loved the ducks and their pond for morning dips! The caravan was cosy, and they opened their amazing strawbale roundhouse home to me for meals and warmth. It was a full-on week and I learned a lot! Thank you.
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Jane
United Kingdom
•
September 2025
Lots of thanks to Merav and Janta (and Hoshi the dog!) for making my week at Karuna so pleasant. It's a lovely peaceful place, and I was very comfortable parked up in my camper among the trees. These were all planted when they arrived around 20 years ago - what a transformation from when this area was grazed by sheep! The amount of fruit on the apple trees has to be seen to be believed, and I loved the different juices and different drinks I had each day made from garden produce.
Although the weather wasn't always on my side, I was given a nice variety of tasks, including pruning, weeding and harvesting. I worked around 5 hours most days. The polytunnel with all those tomatoes, peppers, chillies, herbs etc. was a great place to shelter when the heavens opened ;)
Each day I enjoyed a delicious lunch with Merav and Janta - mainly using veg from the garden. My vegan diet was accommodated no problem. Another bonus was the lake, which was great for a swim, though starting to get a little chilly!
Merav and Janta were very welcoming to me and it was interesting to learn about their background, what brought them to settle here, their approach to life and plans for the future. I wish them all the best and hope that Karuna goes from strength to strength :)
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Kate
United Kingdom
•
August 2025
My daughter, Poppy and I had a wonderful stay with Janta and Merav, from the outset we were made to feel welcome and throughout shared lovely home cooked food together, with many of the ingredients sourced from their own land. Thier resilient nature and belief in their lifestyle shines bright, you can't not be inspired by the beautiful surroundings they've created and their dedication. We participated in various tasks and knowledge exchange, and the whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you for accommodating us and for making adjustments to facilitate my daughter joining me.
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Janik
Austria
•
August 2025
Merav and Jabta were very nice and welcoming. They have a beautiful house and I was always welcomed there.
I had a lot of different tasks, which I liked. It included berry picking, digging potatoes, trimming grass and bushes, forest work and a few other small tasks.
Work load was around 5-6 hours per day with Saturday a bit less and Sunday off.
The food was really lovely. Always fresh and healthy. Janta and Merav knew a lot about healthy food and nutrition and there is a lot to learn from them.
Even though we had some different opinions on some topics, the communication and interactions were always respectful.
When I left, Janta drove me to Shrewsbury to drop me off.
I had a learning experience and enjoyed spending a lot of time in nature.
Thanks for they nice stay Merav and Janta!
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Helen
United Kingdom
•
August 2024
Thank you Merav and Janta for sharing with me your beautiful home. An incredible creation. Food was DELICIOUS and inspiring. Comfy and homely caravan. Work was varied and enjoyable, giving me a much valued look in to forest gardening. Thank you for the pub trips, walks, music and fire. Hoshi and Honeyboy- I love you. Much respect to you both and thank you for sharing your knowledge and time with me. Helen x
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Rebeka
Slovakia
•
June 2024
I really enjoyed my stay in Karuna, it is a magical place, little forest where I found peace and quiet. Merav and Janta took a good care of me, they shared their knowledge and I learnt a lot thanks to them.:)) Planting potatoes and pumpkins was so much fun and hard work as well, I really enjoyed it. It is amazing to realise and see the whole process of growing food. Karuna was indeed a retreat for me. I hope I will come back one day!!
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