visitors at the WHC

For bookings and more information, please call during office hours … 10am-8pm only.

Most likely times to catch us are 10 – 12 am, and 6 -8 pm.

The house is likely to be busy during the summer and at all school holiday times. If you do get the answer machine, then please leave us a message, and we’ll call you back. Please remember that the workers are not always available to answer the phone, as we have development work to do too, and sometimes take time off!

You can also Book Now via e-mail, but either way, as soon as you have checked there are vacancies, it is very important that you send a deposit of half of the cost of your stay to confirm your place.

Payments can be made via PayPal by using the button in the box on the right.

Deposits are non-refundable, and are charged on a per-night basis.

Please pay as much as you can afford.

The running costs are only covered if you pay £25 per night or more.

We operate at a loss, and welcome your support with fundraising to fill the gap!

Donations above these amounts are welcome

Please make sure you include all income when working out how much you should pay eg. Tax Credits, Housing benefits etc. The payment system is operated on trust, so please work out for yourself which is the correct amount for you to pay.

Please remember to add a donation if you eat lunch or an evening meal on the day of your departure

a group booking

Group bookings

Groups (both formal organised groups, or groups of friends) may book the whole house, closing it to other visitors. This must be for a minimum of two nights if it is at the weekend. The involvement of workers during this time can be negotiated. We usually only allow two closed-house bookings per month. The following rates apply :-

• Statutory and well-funded groups / organisations -
  minimum £300 per night
• Partly-funded groups / organisations – minimum £250 per night
• Voluntary and unfunded groups / organisations -
  minimum £180 per night

Feel free to contact us about this, but please remember that these amounts are the minimum we need to sustain the house. It might be possible to negotiate a lower amount at off-peak times, especially mid-week. Women coming in groups should still pay according to the sliding scale above eg. guests earning up to £25,000 per year still pay £25 per night. The minimum rates only apply when this is more than the total price on the individual rates.

Camping

Charges are based on the same sliding scale as above, less £2 per adult per night. This includes food and the use of house facilities. Tents etc are not provided.

snowy pen-y-ghent

Welcome to our new website! Please bear with us as we continue developing it

The house is a truly unique place that has seen the beginning of many lasting friendships between women and children.

…. STOP PRESS !! ….

WINTER OFFER: 3 NIGHTS for the price of 2 (applies Sunday-Thursday nights in January and February, excluding school holidays).

HORTON NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Once again we need URGENT ONE-OFF DONATIONS to help us cover essential fire safety work. We need to raise around £2000 over the next couple of months. So far we have raised over £400 through generous responses to appeals like this one, so we know we can raise the rest. Every little helps, since lots of little donations really add up. If you would like to help us, please hit the DONATE button on the right of this page or send a cheque to the house. If your donation is not anonymous, include a covering note or message so we can say thanks.

Alternatively you may like to help us fundraise by putting on an event, such as a benefit gig or jumble sale. If you’d like to ask us about putting on fundraising events, or need literature for an event, please contact us. We also welcome donated items (such as a working and robust vacuum cleaner), but please see our Wish List or contact the house before donating items as donated items that we cannot use only create clutter for the house, detracting from its homey atmosphere.

Other news:

Kittens by fire

HORTON WHC 2012 CALENDARS NOW ON SALE!

Reduced in price – Full colour £5 or 5 for £20 inc. p&p, black/white £2.50 or 5 for £10 inc. p&p. They have been lovingly homemade at the holiday centre by workers and volunteers working long into the night! Include stunning shots of the local area and stunning shots of your friendly workers and some guests who have visited! So if you are looking for last-minute gifts or would like one yourself, either call us on 01729 860207, or hit the DONATE button on the right of this page to pay for your calendars, making sure you include a message giving your address and your precise order.

See photo to the left as an example of one of the images.

You can click on it to enlarge it.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

We finally have sensible, easy to remember email addresses -

info@hortonwhc.org.uk – for contacting the workers

management@hortonwhc.org.uk – for contacting the Management Committee

SLIDING SCALE FOR PAYMENTS

We have simplified our prices, but have kept to the principle of the lowest rate reflecting the daily rate for those on benefits. Please remember to include all income (eg tax credits, housing benefit etc) when working out what you should pay, and please bear in mind that the actual cost per bed per night is about £25. For most women, the prices will have gone up slightly, and we have had to lower the age at which we charge half rate for children from 5yrs to 2yrs. It may be possible to negotiate a reduced rate for off-peak times though (mid-week, term-time) if these increases might otherwise prevent you from being able to come to the WHC, so please contact the workers in advance to discuss this. click here for more info about our prices.

We are currently looking for NEW HOUSE SITTERS and NEW MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

Please contact the house if interested.

Please help spread the word

There are buttons on most of our pages for twitter, facebook and email.

Wireless Internet

We now have WIRELESS INTERNET at Horton! But don’t worry – if you’re coming to truly get away from it all you don’t have to use it and we are restricting where it can be used in the house so some rooms remain internet-free

PayPal

We now take payments and donations via PayPal – see the link in the box on the right.

front of house

For contact details, see the “enquiries and bookings” box on the right.

The Women’s Holiday Centre is in the small Yorkshire village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, and is the only collective, non-profit-making, holiday centre for women and children in the UK. It was set up in 1980 as a charitable co-operative, by women involved in feminism and the women’s liberation movement. Since then, this volunteer-run women’s co-op has been making a difference to the lives of thousands of women and children from all over the country, by providing affordable holidays with a sliding scale for payments according to income. We aim to keep the lowest charge for one night, including food, at the daily rate of benefit entitlement. Other low-cost holiday options, such as renting a caravan or camping, can leave a woman feeling even more isolated and vulnerable than she does at home, with many more practical tasks to manage in a smaller space. In contrast, the Women’s Holiday Centre provides a uniquely supportive environment, where women often socialise together and share meals etc.

the old vicarage

The Women’s Holiday Centre is for all women, with or without children, on their own, or with friends. Women from all walks of life are welcome and visit regularly. The house offers a safe and friendly environment, where women and children can feel at home and get to know each other. Items such as towels, toiletries, and both adult and children’s spare coats/hats/gloves/wellies etc are kept at the house so that those using public transport have less to carry.

The part B&B, part hostel style accommodation consists of a mix of private and shared bedrooms, plus two sitting rooms, a large playroom, large kitchen and garden. There is a very relaxed and informal self-catering arrangement, with vegetarian and vegan food provided. During mid-week term-times, the house can offer a quiet place that can be ideal for women recovering from various illnesses or stresses.

Disabled access is very basic at the moment, and we are currently working to raise funds for substantial alterations to improve this. Please contact us to discuss any particular requirements.

promoting the WHC

Promote Horton please!

If there is anywhere that you could put a small poster or some leaflets for Horton, please send an s.a.e or ask for one to be emailed. With our limited budget, it’s always difficult to reach new women, so we rely on your help.

Please also help spread the word by using the buttons on the various pages to share this on twitter, facebook, or by email.

drumming weekend

THEME WEEKENDS

These are usually held during the winter, and can include sessions and courses as diverse as writing, drumming, art, belly dancing, crafts, bridge, spirituality. The house is closed to general bookings for the weekend.

Call the house for more details of planned theme weekends.

There are no extra charges for themed weekend activities unless stated, although there is always a collection to cover the tutor’s expenses

WORK WEEKS

chance to learn/share some DIY skills

These are now usually held mid-week twice a year in order to take on specific major jobs eg. repairs, redecorating. This has meant that recent work weeks have been well attended, with a satisfying list of jobs completed. Thanks to all you lovely women who have been so fab, the house couldn’t do with out you.

As you can imagine, with a house this size, there’s a wide range of jobs that need doing, so there should be something to suit everyone! In return for a minimum of 5 hrs work each day, you can stay for free. Contact the house for more details.

This is a great opportunity to share and learn skills, as well as to help keep the house looking lovely.
Booking is essential.

Next dates – in the spring.

busy hands ...

We are always looking for women with particular skills in plastering, plumbing, painting, sewing etc. and of course women to help with lifting, cooking and cleaning. There is usually a range of jobs for a range of skills – from the DIY experienced to those of us who barely know one end of a hammer from another! It is always friendly and fun, and you are welcome to learn and share with others. For your efforts you will have lots of good food, good company and a free stay (you can also come for just a day or two). Please contact a worker for more details and to book a place.

If you are not able to make it for a specific work week but would still like to offer to do some work at the house then please contact us

HOUSE SITTING TRAINING

House sitting is a way you can help the workers get time off while also enjoying a free stay at Horton! In order to become a House Sitter, we ask that you complete one training weekend and a couple of days working alongside a worker. If you would like to book in for the training weekend, please contact the house. For more details on what House Sitting involves, please see the Support page.

Please see our Getting Involved web page for other ways you can offer either short or longer term help.

OLDER BOYS DATES

Occasional weeks or weekends are set aside for women to be able to bring boys up to their 15th birthday (boys up to their 11th birthday are welcome all year round).

2012 dates to be arranged:

3 peaks sponsored walkers

SPONSORED WALK

This covers the 3 Peaks with the next one to be 18 – 20th May 2012.
Women stay at the house for free in exchange for raising at least £80 through sponsorship to walk 1,2 or 3 peaks. This enables the house to buy/replace things which it needs, such as outdoor play equipment.

You can attempt to climb one peak or skip up all three. It doesn’t matter how fit, or not, you are, just so long as you come, and get as many sponsors as you can. Remember, transportation will be available between each peak. Walkers are also welcome to stay on the Sunday night if they want to. We will be cooking for the hungry walkers, and there will be a roast dinner to celebrate all your effort on the Sunday!

If you can’t make this date, you’re welcome to come any time you can, and of course, you can be sponsored to do ANYTHING, ANYWHERE! How about a sponsored silence, tiddlywinks, bridge playing, bike ride, book reading, knitting, not smoking, doing circuits of your local park, etc. Every penny goes towards the House, and means we can continue making improvements.

Contact the workers for more info + sponsor forms.

If you can’t come, it would be great if you could offer to sponsor someone else

Please see our Fundraising web page for information about other ways you could help the house financially

Why not organise a fundraising event for Horton WHC?

Tod Disco

A women-only disco held in Todmorden (West Yorkshire), usually on the second Saturday of each month, which organises regular benefit nights for Horton WHC.

Please contact the house for more information about any of the above.

If you would like to receive a newsletter via either e-mail or post to keep you updated with news about the Womens Holiday Centre, then please E-mail us

stair window

Visitors are welcome to use the house and facilities freely during their stay. We ask that you take care that your behaviour does not interfere with someone else’s holiday and that the house remains in good shape for the other visitors. You are expected to clean up after yourself and also to help out with chores around the house for about 20 minutes each day. The workers will know what needs to be done, so please ask them. Visitors are expected to change their bedding at the end of their stay, and to ensure that the house is ready for the next visitors.

Groups may book the whole house, closing it to other visitors. See our Prices web page for more info. Visitors and groups can also book specific bedrooms, subject to availability.

double bedroom

Bedrooms

There are :-

• Two small private double bedrooms (prior booking is recommended).
• A shared room with a large platform bed, two doubles and a single, that sleeps up to eleven.
• A shared room with single beds that sleeps up to five.

It is possible to make up a bed in a room on the ground floor if requested.
Children’s cots are available on request.
There is also space to camp in the garden, but we do not provide tents or sleeping bags.
All bedding is provided. Visitors are asked to bring their own towels to help reduce laundry costs, and wear-and-tear on our poor washing machine, but there are some available for those travelling on public transport.

Bathrooms

There is a shower, bath and two toilets upstairs.
There is an accessible toilet and shower on the ground floor, although it is very cold, and not fully suitable – please contact the house if you need more information.

main living room

Living space

There is :-

• A large communal kitchen with an Aga and electric cooker.
• A large sitting room with open fire and television.
• A dining room/sitting room with open fire.
• A large playroom that can also be converted to a meeting space or a spare ground floor bedroom.

There is also a large garden, including a play area, camping space, fire pit and a vegetable patch.

the local area

Coming to Visit

Sometimes, it’s assumed that we must be fully booked in school holidays, or on sunny weekends, and that there’s no point in calling. This isn’t always true though. It’s always worth ringing/emailing us for a last-minute booking, as you will often be successful. If you do get the answer machine, then please leave us a message, and we’ll call you back. Please remember that the workers are not always available to answer the phone, as we have development work to do too, and sometimes take time off!

pen-y-ghent in mist

The Village

Horton-In-Ribblesdale is on the Pennine Way. The house is at the foot of Pen-y-Ghent, one of the famous “Three Peaks”. There are well-marked footpaths for walking and hill climbing. There is a Post Office/shop almost next door to the house, and there is also a cafe and tourist information centre, a church and two pubs in the village. The Womens Holiday Centre makes a significant contribution to the survival of these local businesses, and we would encourage you to visit them while you are here. The village is six miles from the small market town of Settle. Places to visit nearby include the waterfalls and show caves at Ingleton, Malham Tarn, Janet’s Foss and Gaping Ghyll.

viaduct at Ribblehead

Getting Here

Horton-in-Ribblesdale is on the Leeds – Carlisle train line (approx. 65 minutes from Leeds). It is a short walk from the station. Check train times before you travel – they change seasonally !

Train Enquiries :- 08457 48 49 50
Click here to plan your journey by rail
Click here to find a map of the area

Some places of interest for visitors

Get the bus to visit Settle – the Market, take a look at the Shambles, see the quaint white old houses in Upper Settle, check out the shops, pubs, takeaways and cafes. There’s also Swimming Baths at Settle.

Skipton has a market 2 days a week

lots of local walks

The Women’s Holiday Centre offers a great opportunity for women and children to interact with the environment. From Horton there are many interesting short walks – you can go for a little non-strenuous wander along the farm roads at the back of the house, walk down the village, look at the stream etc.

Or you could go for a longer, still not particularly strenuous walk towards Pen-y-Ghent, and see the terrific scenery and enjoy peaceful quiet only interrupted by the calls of curlews, other birds and animals, and the occasional stream. Or go fell walking, or even scramble up the face of Pen-y-Ghent

If you have a car, you might like to drive to interest spots, and park and walk.

riverside walks

Eg. From Malham village, follow other visitors along the narrow road and then across the field beside the beck into the towering gorge of Gordale Scar. From the back of Malham village, walk up to the foot of the amazing Malham Cove, and/or stagger up the path to the huge famous limestone pavement. Try and find out about the connection with Charles Kingsley’s “Water Babies”. There’s also the “Malham Safari” to discover, and riding stables. August brings the annual Agricultural Show to Malham – animals, pony races, fell race.

On the way back, why not take a look at Janet’s Foss and hide behind the little waterfall, or drive up to Malham Tarn, and back over the tops.

If you are good walker of course you can walk all the way!

beautiful surroundings

Or take the Pennine way part of the way – It goes through Stainforth. There are also stepping-stones in Stainforth village, and you can go swimming in the River Ribble at Stainforth, but go further down than the foss/waterfall avoiding the deep part near the foss/waterfall as it goes down into a pothole!

Or just go and look over the Stainforth Bridge and see if you can see the trout, or drop sticks in and watch them flow under.

On bank holidays the Caving Club lower people down into Gaping Ghyll (a huge pothole) on a kind of Bosun’s chair.

Also a short drive away are the illuminated White Scar caves at Ingleton, and Ingleborough cave at Clapham

view from the WHC of pen-y-ghent

And of course, if you’re super fit and speedy, there’s always the 3 Peaks Race up and down Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.

ALWAYS LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND GET ADVICE FROM THE VILLAGE INFORMATION CENTRE ON LOCAL PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED.

How can you help?

How can I help?

There are really easy ways in which you can help. The WHC is able to offer low-cost holidays on the basis that all guests take responsibility for helping to keep the house clean and tidy. Ask a worker if you are struggling to find a job to do – they’ll be able to tell you!

Telling other women about the house, and paying the most that you can afford also assists the house. The payment system is operated on trust, and so the workers are not responsible for establishing how much each guest is able to pay. The “prices” web page offers guidelines on this. The sliding scale is designed so that women on (the lowest) benefits can stay for a week at the WHC on their usual income.

Donations

There is a wish list of items that the house needs – as you can imagine, some everyday items need replacing regularly in a house as busy as this! If you would like to contribute, you could donate an item off the wish list. There is also a donation box above the fireplace in the dining/sitting room, or you can help us raise money by recycling your ink cartridges.

For women who would like to make a longer-term financial commitment to the WHC, a covenant scheme is in operation (a worker can explain more about this). You can agree to give as little (e.g. £2) or as much as you like each month to the house directly from your bank account, and we can claim tax back on all money donated in this way at the end of the year.

the Women's Holiday Centre

Promote Horton please!

If there is anywhere that you could put a small poster or some leaflets for Horton, please send an s.a.e or ask for one to be e-mailed. With our limited budget, it’s always difficult to reach new women, so we rely on your help. Lots of our visitors find out about us by word-of-mouth, so if you’ve enjoyed your stay, then please tell others (and if not, then please tell us!)

Friends of Horton

‘Friends of Horton’ are women who support the house in other ways than through the Management Committee or the Co-op, possibly through house-sitting or other specific projects.

House-sitting

So that the workers can take a break from the house and get some well-deserved rest, house-sitters sometimes come and look after the house and guests. We are always on the look out for new people to do this important and rewarding job.

To become a house sitter, a little training is required, and special training weekends are organised for this. To register interest or find out more, please contact the workers

view from the garden

Other ways in which you can offer your time include coming to work weeks, or getting involved in the Management Committee, or the Access Project.

We want you to feel you have a place to take your concerns, questions and ideas about Horton, so please use the various contact options on these pages. Also, if there is anything you want to bring to the attention of the management committee, please get in touch with them. If you would be interested in becoming part of the management team, please contact us, and we will send you the info pack and application form.

Plans for the future

Our six main aims for the next five years are :-

• Developing a fundraising strategy and increasing our funding.
• Creating worker’s self-contained accommodation.
• Increasing the visitor numbers and widening the user base.
• Improving Energy Efficiency.
• Increasing accessibility of the accommodation
• Increasing user involvement

If you feel able to play a part in making this happen then we would love to hear from you!

play room

As you can imagine, some everyday items need replacing regularly in a house as busy as this! If you would like to contribute, you could donate an item off the wish list.

It’s always worth checking by phone or email before buying/bringing any larger items in case we no longer need it.

For fundraising

All your unwanted CDs, records, DVDs, Xbox, Playstation and other games and books, for selling at stalls etc
Unwanted mobile phones, even if not working
Used printer ink cartridges & toner cartridges (branded makes only)

some things are always welcome!

We always need ….

Printing paper
Photocopying – esp for newsletter
General stationary – biros, address labels, markers, tippex, lever arch folders, box files
Outrageous clothes/wigs/hats for the dressing up box
Energy saving light bulbs
Felt tips, paints and brushes etc for play room
Candles (esp church, and T-lights)
Glasses
Metal forks, cork screws
Tea towels and oven gloves
Bath and hand towels
Old newspapers for the fires

For the house

Insulation foam (eg kingspan)
White or grey undercoat, white gloss and various sized good quality paint brushes
Hi fi system (x 2)
Baby/toddler sling (good condition)
Baby monitor
Plants (indoor) and plant pots (not plastic)
Lockable tool cupboard
Bedside / table lamps
Oil filled radiators
Hot water bottle covers
Cushion covers
Sewing box
Metal coal scuttles / buckets / pokers / tongs / brushes
Storage baskets
CD wallets for loose CDs
Big torch
Picture frames (esp A4) – preferably with perspex instead of glass
Good quality used carpet / rugs (preferably dark)
Contributions towards new mattresses

For the kitchen

Food storage jars/boxes with lids – large and small
Electric food processor
Herb drying rack
Metal steamer stack
Flour sieves, tea strainers, potato ricer
Electric cooker with ceramic hob
Electric tin opener
Cake tins, spatulas, wooden spoons, pastry brushes
Kitchen scales

For the garden

Garden spades/forks/metal rake
Fruit trees – apple, pear sweet cherry (not wild), plums, mulberry, apricot
Fruit bushes – black/white/red currant, gooseberry, rose hip (not raspberry)
Other edible plants and seeds, inc herbs (especially perennials)
Compost
Garden solar lights
Trailer and tow bar (to fit Honda Accord)
Plastic green house and small propagators, inc seedling trays
A garden bench
A patio table & chairs
Bird seed
Garden netting

In our wildest dreams!

just putting it out there!

New carpet for the hall, stairs, landing & bedrooms (preferably dark)
New flooring for the bathroom
Built in cupboards & storage boxes for the toys in the playroom
Wooden play frame for the kids in the garden
Chipper for making wood chips from branches etc

There might be other things we can use that are not on this list, so contact us if you’re not sure.

At times we might welcome a fridge, freezer, cooker and other items of furniture – please contact us first if you are looking for a new home for any of these

Thank you for your support!

Please check first before bringing us other things you’d like to donate – it’s difficult for us to store things, and then we may have to spend time getting it somewhere else. We will assume that it is Ok to pass anything on to someone else who can benefit if we don’t actually need something that has been donated – 4 step ladders can be two too many!
Thanks!

main living room

Fire safety

We need to raise several thousand pounds very quickly to cover the cost of substantial fire safety work that is currently being completed. At the moment this is being funded by several emergency loans from supporters, but we need to be able to repay these, so any help you can give would be greatly appreciated! There is a PayPal button in the panel on the right if you are able to donate towards this. No amount is too big or too small, so please send what you can, and don’t assume that everyone else will do it, in case that’s what they think too!

The Women’s Holiday Centre is unique

want to fundraise for new play equipment?

It offers a space that you can’t get anywhere else in Britain, and is able to fulfil its own aims without answering to any financial organisations or charitable trusts, who might remove some of the flexibility that the WHC is currently able to offer. This means that the house is currently funded entirely on payments from guests and donations. Fundraisers are always welcome, and women from as far way as London have put on events to benefit the house. If you fancy helping us in this way, e-mail us at info@hortonwhc.org.uk or have a chat with a worker.

Telling other women about the house, and paying the most that you can afford is the easiest way to assist the house. The payment system is operated on trust, and so the workers are not responsible for establishing how much each guest is able to pay. The “Prices” web page offers guidelines on this. The sliding scale is designed so that women on (the lowest) benefits can stay for a week at the WHC on their usual income.

Local Celebrations/Fundraisers

supporters from lancs

We would love you to organise a celebratory event in your area that will hopefully enable women and children to come together and reminisce, and new people to learn about the unique place that is the WHC. If you can raise a bit of money for us in the process, that would be superb.

If you don’t fancy organising an event yourself, then how about taking part in the annual sponsored walk? See our events page for more details. Another regular fundraising event is the Tod disco.

Recycle your ink cartridges, mobiles etc.

(Epson cartridges can’t be recycled)

If you give us empty ink and toner cartridges, or unwanted mobiles (even if not working), we can send them off to be reused and get cash back. So you get to recycle AND support one of your favourite charities! Send them in sealed plastic bags, and don’t forget to collect from work, family and pals too. We can get up to £5 per cartridge, so start saving now!

Donations

much used craft area

There is a wish list of items that the house needs – as you can imagine, some everyday items need replacing regularly in a house as busy as this! If you would like to contribute, you could donate an item off the wish list. There is also a donation box above the fireplace in the dining/sitting room.

For women who would like to make a longer-term financial commitment to the WHC, a covenant scheme is in operation (a worker can explain more about this). You can agree to give as little (e.g. £2) or as much as you like each month to the house directly from your bank account, and we can claim tax back on all money donated in this way at the end of the year.

Horton WHC house

The Women’s Holiday Centre was set up in 1979 following discussions between women from Gingerbread, Women’s Aid, Social Services, the Citizens Advice Bureaux and mental health organisations. An acute need was identified for low price holiday accommodation, in a friendly and supportive environment, for women and children who were otherwise restricted by circumstances.

There was an initial large donation of £30,000 from a woman who had been bequeathed a house, but wanted the money to be used to buy a property which would offer safe holidays, in a friendly environment, to all women and children. She did not want to take individual control over decisions, and was an equal member of the group that came together, raised further funds, and decided the criteria for a suitable property. Eventually the Old Vicarage was purchased in Horton-in-Ribblesdale (at a church auction) in 1980, and change of use and planning consents were agreed. Many woman-hours were put into making the house welcoming for its guests, and the first visitors stayed at the house in May 1981. Since then thousands of women, children and groups have used the house and it has become a well-established and well-used resource for women in the north of England and beyond. The House has been sustained successfully since then through a combination of income from visitors, donations and fundraising. Crucially, it has benefited from the commitment of hundreds of women who have invested their time and energy voluntarily to maintain the fabric of the house and take on the managerial responsibilities of running it.

How does it work?

co-operative principles in action!

The house is owned and run as a co-operative. The house also has a Management Committee that meets regularly to make decisions about house issues and employment. ‘Friends of Horton‘ are women who support the house in other ways than through the MC or the Co-op, possibly through house-sitting or other specific projects.

The women you will see most of are the two full-time workers, who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the house, keeping it warm and welcoming, and making sure that all guests have a chance to enjoy their stay. Workers are employed for a maximum of three-years, and so there is a regular need to recruit women for this post. If you think this is something you might like to do, please talk to a worker, or see our being a worker web page.