(see the bottom of the page for the pdf version)
Dandelion Community is an intentional cohousing community for families and people who desire a conscious lifestyle. Our intention is to live a fulfilling life in harmony with nature and each other and to create a support network for ourselves and the wider community.
We intend to...
...connect with the natural world
We wish to live in a beautiful semi-rural site surrounded by wild spaces, woodland, water sources and the healing powers of nature. We also plan to:
...connect with the earth
We are conscious of our connection to all life, and the need to protect natural resources and recognise (and act on) the seriousness of the climate crisis. We have decided to:
...connect with children
Every child is a valuable member of our community and is treated with respect and given freedom to live, learn and create the way she/he chooses to. We wish to support this choice and to:
...connect with each other
We believe that a community is a living evolving system. We each have a responsibility to contribute our unique gifts so that harmony is created for everybody. We are committed to:
...be welcoming and inclusive
We want everybody within our community to feel they are equal, fully accepted the way they
are and respected in the diversity of unique personal expressions and backgrounds. We welcome:
...connect with wider society
We believe that by living our intention of creating a harmonious community environment, we can model a different way of life and become an inspiration for the wider community. Our aims include:
We intend to be...
...always open to learning
...honest with ourselves and each other, and responsible enough to
...compassionate, kind
We intend to...
...connect with the natural world
We wish to live in a beautiful semi-rural site surrounded by wild spaces, woodland, water sources and the healing powers of nature. We also plan to:
- deepen our awareness of and reduce our environmental impact
- re-wild spaces
- grow our own food following permaculture principles
- keep chickens, sheep or goats - perhaps rescued farm animals
...connect with the earth
We are conscious of our connection to all life, and the need to protect natural resources and recognise (and act on) the seriousness of the climate crisis. We have decided to:
- share living space and other resources within the community
- create low-impact and zero-carbon buildings where possible, using healthy, natural materials where we can
- use and generate renewable energy
- use our own water supply and natural waste-water treatment system
- use electric bikes, share cars and reduce our transport footprint
- reuse, recycle and repurpose as much as we can
- share a vegetarian communal kitchen with vegan communal meals (people are welcome to add vegetarian toppings to their own plate; in their own private spaces, members are free to make their own food choices
- model sustainable living to others
...connect with children
Every child is a valuable member of our community and is treated with respect and given freedom to live, learn and create the way she/he chooses to. We wish to support this choice and to:
- create a parenting support network and sharing childcare
- recognise that every member of the community is a role model and every daily activity can inspire learning
- encourage self-directed learning and learning through experience
- share educational resources
- become an education hub for the wider community
- organise parenting and educational workshops
- including children in our decision-making process
...connect with each other
We believe that a community is a living evolving system. We each have a responsibility to contribute our unique gifts so that harmony is created for everybody. We are committed to:
- work on shared projects (such as building things, growing food, learning together)
- eat together at least once a week as a community (smaller groups may choose to share meals more often too)
- organise communal events and activities like yoga, dancing, singing, drama
- support each other emotionally and practically in daily life
- celebrate seasonal festivals together
- attend regular community meetings
- use the consent-based sociocracy for our decision-making process
- share parenting experiences
- practise Non-Violent Communication, also known as compassionate communication
...be welcoming and inclusive
We want everybody within our community to feel they are equal, fully accepted the way they
are and respected in the diversity of unique personal expressions and backgrounds. We welcome:
- people of different ages
- singles, couples or families
- multi-cultural, LGBTQ+, differently-abled and neurodiverse people
- people with diverse parenting and home-educating styles who value the respectful approach to children and each other
- people with or without capital (both benefiting from mutual home ownership)
...connect with wider society
We believe that by living our intention of creating a harmonious community environment, we can model a different way of life and become an inspiration for the wider community. Our aims include:
- offering home education activities for families
- hosting a variety of workshops and services for the wider community (for personal growth, healing, parenting or educational support)
- swapping skill with the wider local community
- supporting the local community by buying local, using local tradespeople, for instance
- offering accommodation for friends, other visitors or short-term volunteers, such as WWOOFers
- providing sanctuary to people in need (a long-term aim)
We intend to be...
...always open to learning
- committed to personal growth
- sharing skills and knowledge
- making space for every member’s creativity
- learning to live cooperatively
...honest with ourselves and each other, and responsible enough to
- communicate our needs clearly and openly
- acknowledge our own mistakes and try to repair them
- be aware of our conditioning
...compassionate, kind
- cultivate listening skills
- be respectful at all times
- support one another
- be fully present as much as we can
| dandelion_vision_and_values.pdf |
