Frequently Asked Questions
Children's education
We feel passionate about the education of our children. We welcome a variety of education and parenting choices within our community.
Can I join if I don’t have children?
Yes, we would like Dandelion Community to have members of a variety of ages and stages of life, and to benefit from the diversity that will bring.
Money
Can I join if I don’t have capital to invest?
At the moment, we are looking for new members with some capital to help us cover purchase costs – see here. We may also sometimes have plots available for a live-in vehicle on a temporary basis.
How much will it cost to join and to live there?
At the moment, we have a lovely upstairs unit in the farmhouse with gorgeous views. The unit is for people who have capital to buy-in. This unit is valued at £150,000 and we would need from you a minimum of £100,000 with some mortgage payments. The purchase of the unit will also include shared ownership of all communal spaces and land.
There will also be a monthly service charge of approximately £200-£250 per adult, which will cover maintenance and most utilities.
In the future, we plan to have barn conversions to offer. These will be valued according to market prices in the area and would likely be on a buy-in basis. We hope to have a variety of sizes, from studio flats to 3-bedroom homes.
I just want to park my van there and don’t need to use the facilities – can I do that without paying towards the mortgage?
We sometimes have a plot available for a van or similar live-in vehicle. We’d charge a monthly amount and provide electricity, water and shared use of all the communal areas. This would be instead of contributing to the service charge and mortgage and would be on a temporary basis. We’d be looking for someone excited about our vision who would like to experience our lifestyle and contribute to all areas of communal life.
I don’t have an income - can I work for the community projects instead of paying money to live there?
At the moment, we are only looking for members who can contribute financially, to cover the costs we all share. We may be able to work out other arrangements in the future, including volunteering and skill exchange.
Community life
Can I run a business from the site?
Yes, if the business doesn’t conflict with the community’s vision and with the other members’ consent.
How much time will I be expected to work on community projects?
All members are expected to contribute to the everyday life of the community, maintenance of the site and to attend some meetings. There are, however, many different ways to contribute according to each member’s ability and strengths.
What sort of accommodation will there be?
The property we own has a large farmhouse with several stone barns. Shared spaces in the house include a large communal kitchen and dining room, children’s playroom, sitting room, utility room, pantry and a sunny conservatory. There are also shared bathrooms and several private living units. We hope to convert the existing barns into small self-contained units or flats, and create more communal spaces for work and play, such as a studio, office, workshop and so on. There should also be scope to site a small number of yurts/vans/caravans.
Can I build my own eco-home / tiny house?
We would like to have it as an option but this would be a long-term project and depend on planning permission.
How often will we eat together?
We have a communal meal at least once a week, and sometimes more often
Do we have to join the weekly communal meal?
Yes, members will need to prioritise the weekly meal, so we can keep and build on our personal connections.
How are we going to solve problems?
Members will need to learn how to use non-violent communication and develop their compassionate communication skills. There will be a restorative conflict resolution policy, which members will agree to when they join. Discussions will happen using our sociocracy and restorative circles to enable everyone to be heard and decisions to be made with collaboration and consent.
Do you have any safeguarding procedures regarding children?
We are working on a safeguarding policy to keep children and other vulnerable people safe.
The place
Where is the community be located?
In mid Devon, on the edge of the village Bow near Crediton.
We feel passionate about the education of our children. We welcome a variety of education and parenting choices within our community.
Can I join if I don’t have children?
Yes, we would like Dandelion Community to have members of a variety of ages and stages of life, and to benefit from the diversity that will bring.
Money
Can I join if I don’t have capital to invest?
At the moment, we are looking for new members with some capital to help us cover purchase costs – see here. We may also sometimes have plots available for a live-in vehicle on a temporary basis.
How much will it cost to join and to live there?
At the moment, we have a lovely upstairs unit in the farmhouse with gorgeous views. The unit is for people who have capital to buy-in. This unit is valued at £150,000 and we would need from you a minimum of £100,000 with some mortgage payments. The purchase of the unit will also include shared ownership of all communal spaces and land.
There will also be a monthly service charge of approximately £200-£250 per adult, which will cover maintenance and most utilities.
In the future, we plan to have barn conversions to offer. These will be valued according to market prices in the area and would likely be on a buy-in basis. We hope to have a variety of sizes, from studio flats to 3-bedroom homes.
I just want to park my van there and don’t need to use the facilities – can I do that without paying towards the mortgage?
We sometimes have a plot available for a van or similar live-in vehicle. We’d charge a monthly amount and provide electricity, water and shared use of all the communal areas. This would be instead of contributing to the service charge and mortgage and would be on a temporary basis. We’d be looking for someone excited about our vision who would like to experience our lifestyle and contribute to all areas of communal life.
I don’t have an income - can I work for the community projects instead of paying money to live there?
At the moment, we are only looking for members who can contribute financially, to cover the costs we all share. We may be able to work out other arrangements in the future, including volunteering and skill exchange.
Community life
Can I run a business from the site?
Yes, if the business doesn’t conflict with the community’s vision and with the other members’ consent.
How much time will I be expected to work on community projects?
All members are expected to contribute to the everyday life of the community, maintenance of the site and to attend some meetings. There are, however, many different ways to contribute according to each member’s ability and strengths.
What sort of accommodation will there be?
The property we own has a large farmhouse with several stone barns. Shared spaces in the house include a large communal kitchen and dining room, children’s playroom, sitting room, utility room, pantry and a sunny conservatory. There are also shared bathrooms and several private living units. We hope to convert the existing barns into small self-contained units or flats, and create more communal spaces for work and play, such as a studio, office, workshop and so on. There should also be scope to site a small number of yurts/vans/caravans.
Can I build my own eco-home / tiny house?
We would like to have it as an option but this would be a long-term project and depend on planning permission.
How often will we eat together?
We have a communal meal at least once a week, and sometimes more often
Do we have to join the weekly communal meal?
Yes, members will need to prioritise the weekly meal, so we can keep and build on our personal connections.
How are we going to solve problems?
Members will need to learn how to use non-violent communication and develop their compassionate communication skills. There will be a restorative conflict resolution policy, which members will agree to when they join. Discussions will happen using our sociocracy and restorative circles to enable everyone to be heard and decisions to be made with collaboration and consent.
Do you have any safeguarding procedures regarding children?
We are working on a safeguarding policy to keep children and other vulnerable people safe.
The place
Where is the community be located?
In mid Devon, on the edge of the village Bow near Crediton.
