Volunteer hospitality in Portugal at Mata House, a community for seekers

Mata House, an intentional community in central Portugal, is opening its doors to volunteers and guests interested in shared living, creative work, and mindful routines. The announcement first appeared in our Volunteer Facebook group, where members regularly share meaningful opportunities like this one.

Located in the lush green valleys of central Portugal, Mata House is a space for transformation and connection. Described as a centre for awareness, ecology, and expression, it invites those who want to contribute to a different way of being: collaborative, peaceful, and rooted in care for both people and planet.

The days at Mata House are balanced and varied.

Mornings begin with meditation, dance, or walks, followed by collaborative work – renovating spaces, gardening, building, or creative tasks. Afternoons are for rest and personal time, often spent by the pool. Evenings shift toward learning and sharing: group discussions, volunteer-led classes, music jams, or even movies together.

Volunteers contribute not only their labour but also their presence, helping build a shared rhythm rooted in joy, connection, and intentional living.

What the project is

Mata House frames the season as “a new way to be together.” Volunteers join a small international group to experiment with autonomy, collaboration and honest communication (they use Transactional Analysis as a shared framework). Mornings often begin with meditation, movement or yoga; then everyone works together until lunch. Afternoons bring rest, integration time or classes; evenings may include film, music, or quiet. Weekend days are free and sometimes used for group trips.

Exchange, time & contribution

The work-study exchange is about 25 hours per week (five days, roughly five hours a day). The minimum stay is 21 days (they suggest three weeks or more so people can settle into the rhythm). You’ll need to be generally healthy and up for physical tasks, as this period includes more hands-on outdoor work and weather that can swing between sun and heavy rain.

Languages: English is the main language in the house.

Tasks you might do

Work changes with the season.

Expect a mix drawn from: gardening and grounds care; cleaning and cooking for the group; painting and small repairs; carpentry/handy-person jobs; light construction (huts, decks, stairs, rooms); pool upkeep; website/content help; and support for events or retreats. Some shared-house chores (like shopping or general tidiness) may fall outside the 5-hour work block—the team explains this on arrival.

Accommodation & setting

Volunteers sleep in simple, airy rooms in the main house (usually 2–6 people per room). There’s central heating, ceiling fans, fast Wi-Fi and access to a large garden and swimming pool. The house is in a quiet village; it suits people who enjoy calm surroundings, walks and local classes more than nightlife.

Getting there

Mata House is about 1h15 by car from Lisbon Airport (or 2h from Porto). Frequent buses go to Torres Novas, Fátima or Tomar; trains run to Entroncamento (50–90 min from Lisboa Oriente). From these hubs you can take Bolt/Uber or a local taxi; when possible the team may help with a pickup.

Who they’re looking for

Mata House welcomes adults of many ages (they’ve hosted people from 18 to 80).

Relevant skills – construction, carpentry, gardening, handyperson work – are a plus, but enthusiasm, reliability and self-responsibility matter most. If you don’t enjoy meditation, dance or group process, this might not be your place; feel free to ask them if unsure.

How to apply 📩

They run a short acceptance process as they receive more requests than they can host.

Start with a brief email about yourself and your dates; they’ll send you the application form.

If this lifestyle speaks to you, you can learn more at matahouse.org or reach out via email after reviewing the website:
📧 mata.house.portugal@gmail DOT com

💡 Note: This is an informal cultural exchange. The hosts cannot provide visas or legal work documents. Please ensure you have the correct visa or entry status before applying.

Original message (source, from Mata House volunteer hospitality in Portugal):

🌿🌿 Mata House summer season 🌿🌿

We are looking for volunteers and welcoming guests
Mata House is a center for awareness, community, ecology and expression. In the green valleys of central Portugal, it’s a place for Seekers—people who wish to connect to something deeper and make the world a better place.

Would you like to volunteer with us? Or would you like to live with us for a while?

In the mornings we meditate, dance and take walks. Then we work together — renovating the studio, creating a garden, building furniture and more. In the afternoons we rest, take personal time, spend time in the pool. Later, in the evenings we often learn together about communication and community living, about spiritual practices. Sometimes one of the volunteers gives a class. Sometimes we just put on some music and dance, have a jam, or watch a movie together.

We are discovering how to live together in harmony, connection and joy.

🌿🌿 Mata House – Autumn period 🌿🌿

October 14th until end November (last date TBD)

Volunteering & Guests

Mata House is a center for awareness, community, ecology and expression. In the green valleys of central Portugal, it’s a place for Seekers, people who wish to connect to something deeper, and make the world a better place.

Would you like to volunteer with us?
https://matahouse.org/volunteer/

Or would you like to be our guest?
https://matahouse.org/rent/

In the mornings we meditate, dance and take walks.

Then we work together – gardening, making garden beds, renovating, building furniture and more.

In the afternoons we rest, take personal time, or spend time in the pool. Later, in the evenings we take classes, we learn together, about communication and community living, about spiritual practices. Some days one of the volunteers gives a class. Other days we just put on some music and dance, have a jam, or watch a movie together.
We are discovering how to live together in harmony, connection and joy.

Website: matahouse.org
Email: mata.house.portugal@gmail.com

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