For many people another way of living starts with this book...
So you’re fed up with living in a little box. Maybe just by yourself. Maybe with your family. Just being a docile consumer alongside the billions of other docile consumers. And the combined outcome of it all is a wrecked planet.
Isn’t there something more to life than this? Couldn’t we have access to many of the best things in life without doing such harm if we were prepared to share more with our neighbours? Perhaps in an intentional community – that’s a community that has come together by intention rather than by chance.
Believe it or not, many people have been living in intentional communities like this for decades. And it’s not all hippy crash pads where nobody does the washing up! This website will open your eyes to the multifarious ways in which communal living happens in the 21st century.
It’s your way into the future!
Here are a few sample pages…
Diggers & Dreamers first appeared in printed form in 1989 and – in its various incarnations – has now been an invaluable resource over many decades.
The name came from the recognition that there are two classic types of people living in intentional communities. The Dreamers: who spend a lot of time imagining different ways of doing things; and the Diggers: who do the day-to-day work of making it actually happen. A successful community blends both of those ways of being together.
In 2019/20 the Foundation for Intentional Communities generously awarded us their Geoph Kozeny Communitarian Award!
Taking its inspiration from the famous Summerhill School, Lifespan Community was founded in 1974. Its nineteen terraced houses are situated high up in a remote part of the Yorkshire Moors. Freer Spreckley describes the many phases, changes, triumphs and tribulations that Lifespan has gone through since that time. But it’s still going strong!
Take a look inside at these sample pages >>
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Laurieston Hall was set up as a commune 50 years ago and is still thriving today. Anatomy of a Commune tells the story of those who have lived there in their own words. Some are poetic, or show a wry sense of humour, or paint a revealing picture of daily life. Others seek a more objective evaluation of their successes and failures. They had a lot of fun, and created a place that gave pleasure, and sometimes a life-changing experience, to a great many people.
<< Take a look inside at these sample pages
The D&D editors were joined by members of Lifespan, Laurieston Hall, Old Hall and Bamford Quaker Community for a panel discussion on what lessons we can learn from the experience of earlier intentional communities. What relevance they might have for the challenges faced today by people trying to set up similar groups and even what they may have to say about major political questions we face as a society today.
One thing that we really want you to know:
There are many different ways to live communally
Cohousing Community
Living fairly separately but with the possibility of sharing a lot of facilities. The best of both worlds perhaps!
Big House Commune
This is the classic idea of the commune in a big mansion in the country. Here are some places that fit that mould.
Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary
For 40 years a group of dedicated individuals have been looking after a colony of Amazonian woolly monkeys rescued from…
Urban Communal
These housing co-ops and big shared houses in built up areas show that not every commune has to be rural!
Summerhill Housing Co-operative
Summerhill Housing Co-operative is made up of two shared houses with 6 bedrooms each, both of which are on a…
Spiritual Community
Having a focus often helps. These places all have some spiritual or religious belief that underlies their existence.
Guiseppe Conlon House
We are a community of the radical Christian “Catholic Worker” movement. The Catholic Worker is an ecumenical, pacifist, and anarchist…
Low Impact Community
Many aspire to low impact living but these places go all the way with off-grid, low consumption lifestyles.
Want more Detail?
The D&D Reviews are more specialised books about particular types of community
So where
are all these
communities?
Explore our online Directory
Currently seeking... communards
Check out these noticeboards for communities that like to host volunteers as well as those that are currently looking for people to join.
Volunteering and WWOOFing are amongst the best ways to to try communal living out for yourself. Once you’ve decided that you really want to go for it then Places needing Members is the next stop.
Places needing Volunteers
Threshold Centre
We currently have one vacancy, which consists of a room in our shared farmhouse. Please see our website for details of the accommodation and how to apply (N.B. Due to current Covid restrictions, dealing with applications is taking longer than usual).
Places needing Members
Old Hall Community
Nov 2020: Stop Press. We have cancelled all visits until further notice. We will continue to post out information packs though. We are always interested in meeting Potential Members and we would love enquires from energetic, enthusiastic, sociable people and young families. We live in an area of outstanding natural beauty in East Bergholt, famous for its links with John Constable. East Bergholt has good transport links and excellent primary and secondary schools within walking distance. Living spaces of all sizes become available at times. Potential members make several visits here over a period of time which is how we get to know each other. You have to buy into our community which means you must have capital (the amount depends on the size of space you buy). Small top up loans are occasionally available but not at the moment. Mortgages are not available. Send us a letter/email telling us all about yourselves to applicants@oldhall.org.uk and we will send you more information.
So you want to start or join a forming community?
Don't underestimate the scale of the task! Maybe follow up some of these links...
Developing Groups
Paradise Valley
We own 22 acres of woodland and pasture near Bromyard in Herefordshire and we are creating an ecological and personal…
This noticeboard is for Developing Groups that are fairly well established – they may even have a building or a site lined up.
People Forming a Group
A Conscious Community in Wales
Hello there. My name is Jivan and my partner is Georgia. We are both keen to either join, or failing…
People Forming a Group is our noticeboard for those at the very early stages whereas Developing Groups are usually quite a bit further down the road.
Properties might suit communities
Land without people
I have come here from the Guardian article, Jan 17, 2021 by Sally Howard. Currently exiled on my bush property…
Properties might suit Communities is where people who are trying to sell or make people aware of a particular vacant property can place a message.
And don't forget our other Noticeboards...
People needing Communal Places
Two Free Spirits
I'm a 33 year old single mother living with my 7 year old son looking for a less conventional way…
General Noticeboard
Can you help me create a secret garden...
Hi, I have complex health challenges and have always dreamed of generating a healing space, that is accessible and focuses…
Ghosts of Communes Past
What was that about people that don't learn from history being doomed to repeat it?
And finally... are you up-to-date with Chris's Blog?
