Apply online

We're so glad you'd like to explore joining us as a volunteer.

You will need an up to date photo of yourself, details of your passport, travel and funding arrangements (if overseas), and references to hand. The form will probably take at least 40 minutes to complete, but at any time you can scroll to the bottom and click "Save and continue later".

Some initial questions

Let's start with a few questions to help us avoid asking for irrelevant information later on. It's important that you answer these honestly and openly.

Are you a Christian?*

Do you believe in Jesus as Lord, and have a living relationship with God that affects the way you live your daily life?

Yes

No

Sorry, the Lee Abbey Community may not be for you.
Lee Abbey is a Religious Community, so we look for people who have a living relationship with Jesus and a passion and desire to serve as part of the Community. You would of course be most welcome to join us as a guest if you'd like some time and space in beautiful surroundings as you consider what's next in your life...

Which country issued your passport?*

United Kingdom or Ireland

Rest of the world

I don't have a passport

I don't have a passport BUT I am from the UK and I do have a valid photo ID such as a driving licence

For security reasons you must have a passport to apply online, unless you are from the UK. Those from the UK can use a valid photo ID instead, for example a driving licence.

IMPORTANT: Please read carefully.

If you are invited to join the Lee Abbey Community, you will need to apply for a Voluntary Charity Worker’s Visa, which will last for one year. You must be willing to commit to volunteering with us for this period. There are strict requirements for this visa and applicants maybe refused entry by the British Embassy.

Do you have permanent residency and/or the right to work in the UK?

Yes

No, I will need to apply for a visa

Please upload a photo of the document that proves this status.*

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 1.

"Right to work" share code*

The UK Government requires all employers to check whether someone has the right to work in the UK. To do this, we need a "share code" to allow us to view your information. Please obtain a share code from GOV.UK and paste or type it below.

Have you been refused a visa to travel to the UK within the last 5 years?*

Yes, I have

No, I haven't

Sorry, it's highly unlikely you would be granted a visa again if you have been refused recently. We know it's frustrating for you, but we would advise you to consider volunteering in your home country instead for now.

Do you have enough money to apply for a visa to travel to the UK?*

Yes, I have enough of my own money

Someone else has agreed to pay for me

No, I don't know how I will pay

Do you have enough money to pay for your travel to the UK?*

Yes, I have enough of my own money

Someone else has agreed to pay for me

No, I don't know how I will pay

Sponsor's letter

Please upload a photo or scan of a signed letter from the person who is paying for your travel (and visa if applicable), declaring that they agree to cover these expenses for you.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, pdf, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 2.

Sorry, we do need to know that you will be able to afford the visa and travel expenses to the UK before we can offer you a place. We know it's frustrating for you! Please arrange the necessary funds and then submit your application.

Your future plans when you return

If possible, please upload scans or photos of any documentary evidence of your future plans when you return to your home country, e.g. a letter from a university or college or from an employer guaranteeing that you will have a job when you return.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 10 MB.

How long would you like to volunteer on Community for, if accepted?

You can select more than one option. This is not a firm commitment at this stage, but just to give us an idea of your availability.

A few weeks over the summer, up to the first week of September

6-9 months

1-2 years

Longer

If you want to apply for a 3 year or longer position, please send an enquiry instead of this form, and we'll send a specific application pack.

If you were selected, what is the earliest date you would be available to join?*

What is the latest date you would be able to stay until?

Leave blank unless you have a particular future commitment like starting university or a new job.

How good is your spoken (not just written) English?*

Lee Abbey is an international Community, and not all Community members need to be fluent in English. But you would need to be confident speaking and understanding English for all day-to-day and working tasks.

Yes, my spoken English is adequate or better

No, my spoken English is poor

Sorry, the Lee Abbey Community may not be for you.
To have a good experience of community life and work well in the team, you need to be able to speak at least some English.

Lee Abbey Community expectations*

Please tick each of these to show you agree.

Returning to your home country*

As you are coming from outside the UK or Ireland, please tick to show you agree with the following statement.

I understand that I must return to my home country when my time as a Community Member at Lee Abbey Devon is finished.

You must tick all the boxes under "Expectations" above before the "Continue" button will appear to let you proceed.

Current or most recent employment

Please do include voluntary work as well as paid employment.

Tick if you have not yet been employed

For example if you have only just finished education or training.

I have no employment to tell you about

Name and address of your employer*

Employer name Street address City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Name of referee*

Please give us the name of your line manager or someone we can approach for a reference.

Title First name Surname (family name)

Referee's email address*

Your job title*

Employed from and to (month/year)*

How much notice would you have to give to your employer when leaving?*

Previous employment

Please start with the most recent, and include any unpaid or voluntary work.

I have more employment to tell you about

Previous employment 1

Name and address of your employer

Employer name Street address City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Employer's email address

Job title

Employed from and to (month/year)

Reason for leaving

Any more previous employment?

Please include any unpaid or voluntary work too.

I have more employment to tell you about

Previous employment 2

Name and address of your employer

Employer name Street address City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Employer's email address

Job title

Employed from and to (month/year)

Reason for leaving

Any more previous employment?

Please include any unpaid or voluntary work too.

I have more employment to tell you about

Previous employer 3

Name and address of your employer

Employer name Street address City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Employer's email address

Job title

Employed from and to (month/year)

Reason for leaving

Any more previous employment?

Please include any unpaid or voluntary work too.

I have more employment to tell you about

Previous employer 4

Name and address of your employer

Employer name Street address City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Employer's email address

Job title

Employed from and to (month/year)

Reason for leaving

Any more previous employment?

Please include any unpaid or voluntary work too.

I have more employment to tell you about

Please continue here

Please tell us in each case the employer name, address and dates you worked for them, together with your job title and reason for leaving.

Personal journey of faith*

Please give details of your own Christian experience and your personal walk with Christ. How important is this relationship to you?

Your church*

Tell us about the church you are part of, and your involvement with it.

Have you been baptised?*

Yes

No

Is there a reason you have chosen not to get baptised?*

Why would you like to join the Lee Abbey Community?*

What do you think God is saying to you about this?

References

Please give details of further referees. Referees must not be related to you. References will be taken up before an interview or offer of a place, unless you request otherwise.

Teacher or someone you have done voluntary work for

Referee's name*

Title First name Surname (family name)

Postal address*

Address line 1 Address line 2 City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Occupation*

Phone number*

Email address*

Minister, pastor or vicar

Minister, pastor or vicar's name*

Title First name Surname (family name)

Postal address*

Address line 1 Address line 2 City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Phone number*

Email address*

Further referee

This should be a close friend or someone who knows you in a personal or spiritual context, but not your spouse or relative.

Referee's name*

Title First name Surname (family name)

Postal address*

Address line 1 Address line 2 City or town County, state or region ZIP or postal code Country

Occupation*

Phone number*

Email address*

Taking up references*

I agree to references and a medical certificate being taken up before an interview or offer of a community vacancy is made.

Yes

No

Why would you like us not to take up your references at this stage?*

Some initial questions

IMPORTANT: Please read carefully.

Know what you're signing up to

Personal information

Relevant experience and skills

Current or most recent employment

Previous employment 1

Previous employment 2

Previous employer 3

Previous employer 4

Education, training and personal development

Most recent education

Education or training 2

Education or training 3

References

Teacher or someone you have done voluntary work for

Minister, pastor or vicar

Further referee

Other information

Declaration

Congratulations