Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:25:00 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7050#Comment_7050 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7050#Comment_7050 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:28:24 +0100 James Norton
Health safety issues, quality control, exploitation vs education ... you get the idea....

for eg hosting clay plastering courses, straw bale builds, rammed earth + cob courses etc.

'have a client or two who would benefit from some enthusiastic support, and am thinking of using site excavated clay for earthen floor and plaster at my own project...

J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7054#Comment_7054 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7054#Comment_7054 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:01:15 +0100 Nick Parsons
Are you the James Norton I know?

I have used volunteer labour quite a bit, but on projects carried out for, or through, my employer. Thus volunteers are covered by my employer's insurance and by all our standard risk assessments. You'd have to ensure that adequate insurances were in place and that H & S briefings, risk ass'ts etc were carried out.

You mentioned: 'Health safety issues, quality control, exploitation vs education'.

I accept these issues arise, but I think the main thing is to ask the potential volunteers first - they'll tell you what is acceptable and what's not.
For example, I was assisted to a massive degree by volunteers while refurbishing the Energy Centre. Subsequently I took to doing Green Building as a way of making enough money to keep the Energy Centre open and to help pay my wages. I was not half as keen on using volunteers for help on commercial jobs as I felt uncomfortable using free labour on jobs for which I was being paid. One of my existing volunteers changed my mind by saying 'are you doing these jobs to support the Energy Centre?' - 'Yes'. 'OK, so that's no different to my volunteering at the Centre itself'. So, when they are available, I use volunteers. They learn, I benefit. Win Win. But, keep checking that you have not over-stepped the mark to the point where they are feeling exploited.

Quality control is 'your problem'. One has always to be aware that QC may be an issue, and make sure that work doesn't progress too far without checking.

If I can help in answering any other Q's plse contact me via www.syec.co.uk

Nick Parsons]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7055#Comment_7055 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7055#Comment_7055 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:15:58 +0100 Gervase Webb As for exploitation, it always seems to me to be a bit cheeky to charge people to learn plastering on your own house!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7059#Comment_7059 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7059#Comment_7059 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 19:41:35 +0100 Nick Parsons
What I meant to suggest was that a different mind-set and closer supervision are required, but that within this context, QC is not a problem. As regards your second point, I agree in some ways, but ask them if they mind, and perhaps there's a difference in any case between volunteering (to learn) and paying to learn on someone's house.

Nick]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7061#Comment_7061 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7061#Comment_7061 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:00:10 +0100 James Norton
On the assumption that you are the Nick Parson I know then yes.

After a view of the SYEC website I think I should pay a long overdue visit to the Energy Centre.

All your points duly noted. Have you normally taken advantage of (bad phrase, I know !) local volunteers and word of mouth? or have you looked at casting the web further, (raising issues of accommodation and advertising...)?

J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7062#Comment_7062 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=7062#Comment_7062 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:16:10 +0100 Nick Parsons
If your clients are local -ish to Shefgfield, then try me for potential volunteers. I may trade you some for a timber-framed 'Garden room' we're beginning shortly.

Nick]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=16438#Comment_16438 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=16438#Comment_16438 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:22:58 +0000 James Norton
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1346&page=1#Item_17



J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36158#Comment_36158 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36158#Comment_36158 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:41:16 +0100 James Norton
as below:
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=732&page=2#Item_15

we got planning for what eventually became 2 houses - starting in spring (fingers crossed, say does anyone have a spare few hundred grand?), main contract finishing in the late summer leaving a 6 month self build finishing period, soooooo......

If anyone is interested in mucking in any aspect, but I suspect clay plastering would be the main thing or fancies visiting during the build please get in touch, there is also the possibility of a tiny bit of rammed earth but not confirmed yet...

accommodation in the weather tight passiv haus (ish shell) may be possible.

get in touch don't be shy!

Also on a different project there may be some places coming up on a straw bale course also in Sheffield.

J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36206#Comment_36206 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36206#Comment_36206 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:49:32 +0100 Rachel https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36232#Comment_36232 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36232#Comment_36232 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:27:23 +0100 JackyR https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36246#Comment_36246 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36246#Comment_36246 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:38:38 +0100 James Norton
J]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36247#Comment_36247 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36247#Comment_36247 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:42:19 +0100 skywalker https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36249#Comment_36249 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36249#Comment_36249 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:49:55 +0100 JackyR https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36251#Comment_36251 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36251#Comment_36251 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:55:42 +0100 James Norton
Free 'Witness' DVDs to all who help plaster...


J

PS is the film any good?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36252#Comment_36252 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36252#Comment_36252 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:55:54 +0100 JackyR
So big jobs like barn-building become community work/festival. Inter-reliance, smiling children, apple-pies, Harrison Ford going off into sunset... It gives you a warm glow

[edit] Lovely feel-good movie.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36273#Comment_36273 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=686&Focus=36273#Comment_36273 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:34:33 +0100 James Norton
Can't promise handsome celebrities only me the kids and our neighbours...

Neither can I offer the idyllic rural setting but (after several conversations with banks today... ) any help will be repaid by experience and lifelong gratitude

J]]>