Queer-Hackspace in the countryside: Tinker, grow, and belong in Wendland’s Permaculture Paradise!

Hackspace Wendland is a community-driven makerspace for FLINTA* (means female, lesbian, inter*, non-binary, trans* and agender people) focused on sustainability, open technology, and collaborative learning. We empower individuals to create, repair, and innovate using open-source tools and eco-friendly practices.

We seek passionate volunteers to lead workshops, mentor, and help grow our community. Your expertise will inspire others to explore technology, craftsmanship, and sustainable living.

You will receive free access to our workspace, networking opportunities with like-minded creators, recognition on our platforms, and the chance to contribute to meaningful, community-led projects.

We can take up to 3-4 volunteers at a time, Duration 4-12 weeks

What category best describes your hosting arrangement? 🏡

• Community/Eco-village

Location – Where is your volunteer project located?🌏

• Wendland/ Germany 📍

What are you looking for help with?

• Animal keeping 🐓🐴
• Cleaning 🧹
• Computer/Web 💻
• Teaching/Language Exchange 🧑‍🏫
• Farming/Gardening 🌿🐄
• General Help 💁‍♀️

What’s the mission of your community? 🎯

This is a safe space for queer people. We believe in inclusivity and diversity, welcoming everyone to contribute and share. As a volunteer, you’ll join a vibrant community, share your knowledge, and collaborate on projects that make a real-world impact.

This is a space for FLINTA*:

• in tech who want to connect, code, contribute and laugh together
• who are interested in tech – but don’t know where to start
• who just want to figure things out for themselves or just need a space to breathe.

Volunteers with disabilities ♿

• Volunteers with disabilities are welcome ♿ ✅

We don’t claim to have all the answers yet, but we are committed to listening and doing our best to make everyone feel at home. Tell us how we can support you—we’re here to learn and adapt together.

How many volunteers could you host? 🎎

• More than two

When do you usually need volunteers? 📅

• You are always welcome

How many hours of help per day? ⏱

• 4-5 hours of help per day

How many days of help per week? 🌒

• 5 days per week – 2 days off

Note about the volunteer work and other expectations 📝

Please be aware that there are multiple animals on the compound and two cats in the house, if your pet (big or small doesn’t matter) is compatible it is welcome to stay.

Are accommodation and food included? 🏠🍜

Yes, we offer food and accommodation

What type of accommodation can you provide? 🏕

• Dormitory/shared rooms 🛌
• Private Room 🔑
• Private room for a couple 🎎

Diet – nutrition information 🥗🥤

• Vegan/vegetarian 🥕

Fee transparency 🆓🔍

• no fees

VISA SUPPORT – Are you able to assist with visa support, information, or provide invitation letters? 🛂

Yes, we can help with Visa/invitation letters ✅

Volunteers’ benefits 🏆🏅

What you’ll gain as a volunteer:

You’ll become part of a supportive, creative community where your skills and ideas are valued. Here’s what we offer:

• Free access to our workspace, events, and workshops – your playground for learning and making.
• Networking with a diverse group of like-minded creators, activists, and farmers.
• Recognition for your contributions, including a certificate for your volunteer work.
• Meaningful collaboration on projects that make a real difference – whether in tech, permaculture, or community building.
• A bicycle for easy, eco-friendly commuting around Wendland.

For healthcare enthusiasts: We’re happy to help arrange an internship at a local GP clinic and support you in obtaining a German first aid certificate.

We celebrate what makes you unique and are committed to creating a space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered. Let’s grow together!

What are the available activities during free time? 🚴🚣🦒

Free-time activities in the Heide and Surroundings 🌿🚴🚣

The Heide is a natural gem in the Elbhöhen-Wendland Nature Park, offering a variety of outdoor and cultural activities for all ages and interests:

• Hiking & Walking: Explore over 550 hectares of purple heather landscapes, dotted with birch and pine islands. Well-marked trails wind through the heath, with scenic viewpoints and shelters for rest.
• Horseback Riding: Wanderreiter (trail riders) will find paddocks and water troughs for their horses, making it a perfect spot for equestrian adventures.
• Planwagen Tours: Experience the heath in a traditional way—take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon, guided by local “Heidekutscher” who share stories about the heath and its villages.
• Nature & Wildlife: Discover the unique flora and fauna of this protected area, home to rare species like the heath lark and nightjar. Heidehaus: Visit this popular, barrier-free destination for a café, a children’s playground, and the interactive exhibition “Fire, Heath – New Life,” which tells the story of the heath’s creation after a historic wildfire. The exhibition is also accessible for blind and visually impaired visitors, featuring Braille and tactile relief maps.
• Cultural Insights: Learn about the landscape’s history, from its formation during the Ice Age to its rebirth after the 1975 wildfire.
• Relaxation: Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, with wooden benches on the hills offering stunning views of the heath.

Whether you’re into hiking, history, or simply soaking in nature, the Heide is a must-visit for anyone looking to unwind and explore the beauty of the Wendland region.

Language 🗣🇬🇧

• English, German

Geography 🌳

A unique heathland in the Elbhöhen-Wendland Nature Park, located in eastern Lower Saxony, Germany. It spans 550 hectares of open landscape, characterised by:

• Sand dunes (both old and young), shaped by glacial activity during the Ice Age.
• Gentle hills and valleys, with alternating dry and moist areas, creating diverse microhabitats.
• Islands of birch and pine trees scattered across the heath, alongside open areas dominated by purple heather (especially vibrant in late summer).

The heath is the largest sand heath complex in the continental region of the North German Plain, formed after a devastating wildfire in 1975 destroyed the original pine forest. Today, it’s a mosaic of heath, woodland, and dunes.

Weather ☀🌧

The Wendland region experiences a temperate climate, typical of northern Germany:

• Summers (June–August) are mild to warm, with average temperatures around 20–25°C (68–77°F), and occasional heatwaves. Late summer (August–September) is the best time to see the heather in full bloom.
• Winters (December–February) are cold, with temperatures often hovering around 0–5°C (32–41°F), and occasional frost or snow.
• Rainfall is spread throughout the year, with slightly wetter conditions in autumn and winter.
• Wind can be noticeable due to the open landscape, especially in exposed areas.

The heath’s sandy soil and open terrain make it dry and sunny, but the nearby Elbe River and forests can create local variations in humidity and temperature.

Environment 🌱🦋

The Heide is a biodiversity hotspot, thanks to its unique combination of habitats:

• Flora: Heather, grasses, mosses, and rare plants thrive in the nutrient-poor, acidic sandy soil.
• Fauna: Protected species like the heath lark, nightjar, and sand lizards call this area home. The heath also supports a variety of insects, including butterflies and bees.
• Conservation: The area is strictly protected, with efforts focused on preserving its rare ecosystems and preventing reforestation to maintain the open heathland.
• Sustainability: The region is known for its commitment to eco-friendly practices, with minimal light pollution and a focus on natural landscape management.

How to get to your site ✈ 🗺

We pick you up from the airport (Hamburg or Berlin) or the train station in Salzwedel (Altmark)

Is there internet access? 🌐

Yes!

“Paying guests” Option. Could you accommodate “solidarity” tourists? 🎎

Yes, we can accommodate eco/responsible tourists & paying guests 👌

CONTACT DETAILS 🔍📧

See more volunteering opportunities in Germany 🇩🇪

Find volunteer projects in Intentional Communities 🏘️or Social Cafes ☕