Welcome to the next stage of exploring with us if joining Sheldon might be a good next step in your life. This application form is our way of starting the conversation. 

The same form can be used for two stages.
We encourage initial expressions of interest without requiring a 'final word' level of completing your application up front.
If you have specific factual questions please email sarah.horsman@sheldonretreat.com and we will add to the Q&A section on the website.  

Stage 1 - initial expression of interest  

• You may complete as much or as little of the form as you wish
• If you wish to book a preliminary enquiry conversation, please provide at least brief details in all/most fields.

Stage 2 - invitation to complete full details  

• Additional details will be requested if both parties agree to move forward with exploring together. 

Information will be kept confidentially, unless required by an appropriate authority.

Are you eligible to work in the United Kingdom and are you able to provide proof of this?

What attracts you about this role?

What you bring to the role with respect to your temperament, people skills and other 'soft skills'? 

Please tell us about your real world IT skills and experience with reference to the role overview.

What experience do you have in office working and/or retreat, residential, church or non-profit contexts

Please tell us something about your hopes and expectations of joining Community, and any relevant experience. What would you bring to Community life and what would you hope to gain? Have you previously lived in, or explored with, any other communities?

Please tell us a little about your journey of faith and church membership

Please tell us about the commitments you would need to attend to before being free to join the community. This could include letting/selling a house, other financial obligations, notice period on a job, etc. Also a brief description of any family/other dependents for whom you have ongoing responsibility.

Sheldon is committed to the safeguarding of all guests including children and vulnerable adults and the post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure. Please tick  to confirm you understand this and are not barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.  

Sheldon is an inclusive community that supports LGBT people and relationships. Please tell us about how you ensure non-discriminatory behaviour towards LGBT guests, colleagues, and their partners. 

Sheldon runs with good protections against Covid and other airborne pathogens. Community members make collective decisions on air quality, vaccination and (sometimes) masking to keep each other and guests safe. Please tell us about your approach to Covid. 

As part of the exploration we will take up references. This will include a work/role reference, a reference from your most recent employer and a character reference and (if not already included) a reference from someone in a leadership position of the church you belong to. References will not be taken up before agreement with you, please just indicate who you plan to ask for references and the capacity in which they know you.

Please provide a copy of your CV, ideally in pdf format  

Is this your

• full application with all fields fully completed, or
• exploratory application with
  • a request for preliminary telephone conversation and/or
  • submitting one or more questions and/or
  • waiting to be long-listed before submitting final version