project

Volunteers are welcomed to stay for a mimimum period of one week.

The Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea was founded in 1946. It is a residential centre for people of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds to seek a common understanding in the cause of peace. Othona has welcomed YAP volunteers since the early 1970's. Othona is a multi-faith non-dogmatic Christian Community founded next to one of the oldest churches in the UK (654AD). It fully involves non-Christians. It is an experimental community where work, play, drama, art and study are combined. Volunteers will be fully integrated in the life of the community.

The Othona Community is working with leading sustainable design specialists ZedFactory, to construct a zero-carbon building to provide accomodation and meeting space. The project, which won an award of £120,000 from The East England Development Agency's 'Cut Your Carbon' Competion, is to construct a zero carbon building which is affordable, replicable and innovative, providing 6 bedrooms and a large meeting space.

The building is designed to maximize use of passive solar gain through high thermal mass and correct orientation, to ensure minimal energy requirements in operation. Reclaimed, low carbon, and natural products will be used to maximum effect in the construction process.

The design is a version of the ‘Earthship' approach, (pioneered in USA), but is developed to be suitable for mainstream use. It is affordable, highly replicable, and designed with adaptation to climate change in mind, performing well in extreme weather conditions (high thermal mass ensures naturally cool in summer and warm in winter).
Innovative aspects include solar thermal panels, strawbale insulation, use of ‘rammed earth' technique to increase thermal mass, rainwater harvesting and the creative use of reclaimed materials eg. reclaimed marble off-cuts for mosaic-effect flooring, use of reclaimed sinks/sanitaryware, and educational features on the theme of reclaimed materials such as a ‘glass bottle wall'.

To provide a replicable zero-carbon building to provide meeting space and accommodation. Two years ago Othona lost half of its accommodation and main meeting space when one of it's buildings was condemned. The lost building was itself a ‘recycled' temporary building, donated 30 years ago, so had lasted long beyond it's life expectancy. There is an urgent need to replace the lost facilities, in order to cater for all the groups and individuals who want to visit, and make the most of our educational low-carbon features and existing facilities, all year round.

The construction of the building will be run partly as a training opportunity, to promote sustainable building techniques. The building will be a showcase of design to minimize energy requirements in operation, and will make maximum and creative use of natural and reclaimed materials. It will be open all year round for people to stay, or hire as a 'green' venue for events, or just look round.

Raising awareness/promoting behavioural change. Project will enable Othona to continue and increase work with schools and other groups. Othona takes a holistic view of sustainability and has a comprehensive range of low carbon features. The centre provides a working demonstration open 365 days per year, where visitors can get up close and explore first hand low carbon measures (wind turbine, solar panels, reed-beds etc) so as to challenge and inspire, educate and encourage.

In 2010 there will be a single discussion theme to which all VAP activists are invited to participate and share. The subject is the United Nations Millennium Development Goals which were signed up to by almost every state on Earth in the year 2000.
There are eight areas targeted for action by the world community and these are the eradication of poverty and hunger, the achievement of universal primary education, equality for women, reduced child mortality, improved maternal health, effective treatment of diseases, environmental sustainability and finally, the development of a global partnership for development. These targets were to be achieved in 15 years.
With five years to go what progress has been achieved? Is there anything we can do to promote these positive ambitions?
All incoming volunteers to VAP's British projects will be asked to find out about what each of their countries is doing to fulfill the promises in the goals and this information will be shared with the others and we hope it can lead to some wider discussion and activities.

At the community centre. Food will be healthy and home made. Vegetarian diets can be catered for.

The Othona Community is situated on the east coast of Essex, next to a nature reserve. It is 5 Km from the nearest village.

London and Stansted airports and Southminster train station are the closest for arrivals and departures.

During the volunteer's time there, there will be various themed study weeks including, Festival of Song, Spring Garden Working Weekend – details of these events can be viewed on our website www.bos.othona.org Outside their work duties volunteers are encouraged to join in these activities.