At Honeydew, each member nourishes the collective — and is nourished by it. We aim to broaden the skills of every resident and volunteer, while also harnessing their unique individual talents. Members of Honeydew give a modest amount of time each day (four hours) working for the community in some capacity, whether it’s renovation, decoration, organisation, or growing the network. The rest of the day is theirs — for work, leisure, or family time.

At Honeydew, we have one daily ritual: a shared evening meal. In Food of the Gods, Terence McKenna quotes Venda of the Fox Clan: “To share food is to be of one body.” The opportunity to eat together is a vital form of bonding; indeed, the community was conceived during the pandemic, when many of us experienced the pain of isolation. Preparing and sharing a meal changes our relationship with the food — some of which we grow ourselves — and rekindles our connection with the earth. (Our ritual is inspired by the agape feast, celebrated in Italy for two thousand years).