Since we formed in 2012, we have operated a flat hierarchy and built our daily schedule around the teams’ home commitments. We have a Family First Policy; where if people want to take time off, or take unplanned leave, we will always support them.
We frequently have our children (and dogs) in the office to support working mums, and we have a programme to mentor the team with life-learning skills.
Being a local team is a huge advantage. We share insider-knowledge on where to go, what to do, and how best to enjoy the New Forest. We are always keen to learn and lead by example, so will often take part in activities like guided walks, litter picks and beach cleans.
We commit to an ongoing programme to learn together about life outside of work.
Lessons are broad and the team choose them. We’ve covered everything from changing a tyre, to pensions and ‘making a will’.
Learning about our local habitats is a critical part of this. We’ve walked with Wild New Forest, a brilliant nature-education project, for two educational walks; one in autumn to learn about farming and Commoning, and the National Park forests and heath, and the second took us along the sea wall to learn about migrating birds and how we can help protect our coastal habitats. We’re able to share our learning with guests and owners too.
A special group of people, our local Change-Makers are social innovators, do-ers and imaginieers, they’ve gone the extra mile, stand up for something worthy, fought for their communities and for the environment, built businesses that contribute to society and stuck their necks out to do the right thing.
Starting in 2022, founder Rachel Has been interviewing local people who deserve a bigger audience. You can read them here:
Bumblebee Freedom- Fighter – Gill
It’s a complicated subject.
We suggest our owners and team use these resources to help them:
The GIKI Earth App. For our team and guests, this app is great. Kids like it, it’s simple, gamifies education, it’s helpful and gives practical advice.
My Green Butler – for our owners, we give free access to MGB – a specific tourism education tool for short term rentals. It’s tailored for short-stay accom’ owners and covers everything from guest engagement to heating controls. Brilliant.
We donate our expertise to local projects – our goal is to deliver 200 hours for the year.
We support local projects by match-funding our teams’ giving. Our goal is to donate 0.5% of all profits to local charities and organisations.
Find out more about these and other charities we support.
