September 2026 News
A vacancy, Kshantipala’s thanks and free wills month
Work for the Abhayaratna Trust
Part-time opportunity for an Order member to join the team at the Abhayaratna Trust
Donor Support and Communications Coordinator, 21 hours a week, home-based
We are looking for someone with strong administrative experience, excellent organisational and record-keeping skills, and confident use of Microsoft Office. Experience creating content for newsletters, websites, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube is important, as is a clear and professional writing style, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and with sensitivity to confidentiality. Knowledge of content management systems, basic video editing, or Squarespace would be an advantage.
The role is offered at the Real Living Wage, plus a retreat allowance of £1,500 per year pro rata and membership of our contributory occupational pension scheme. Holiday entitlement is six weeks per year pro rata, plus public holidays. Applicants will be required to undergo a criminal record check.
For a full job description and application form, please contact Ghosaka at ghosaka@abhayaratnatrust.org.
The closing date for applications is 2 October 2026. Interviews will be held on 12 October in Cambridge, with a start date as soon as possible thereafter.
Thank you from Kshantipala
In August we ran an appeal for Kshantipala which was a great success and he has asked us to pass on his thanks.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Dharma,
I am writing with a heart full of gratitude and emotion. The support raised through the Abhayaratna Trust appeal for my family and me has touched us deeply. You have given us not only financial help, but also precious breathing space and the reassurance that we are not alone.
I am still seeking stable employment, actively pursuing every opportunity. I write some commissioned articles, which helps a little, send applications and build new professional opportunities. I am confident that I will succeed once the holiday season is over.
Without your help, this period would have been a nightmare. Thanks to your support, I have regained a sense of calm and stability, something I very much needed in order make things right.
Every day I meditate with Tara through my Sadhana, and I hold you in my thoughts. May Tara and all the Buddhas watch over you and bring you peace, strength and blessings.
With heartfelt gratitude and warmest wishes,
Kshantipala
Free will writing month in October
Do you have a will? If not there is a free will creation service running in the UK in October.
Nearly half of people in the UK do not have a will. Making a will is important as it helps ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. Without one, your estate will be dealt with under intestacy rules, meaning you will not have a say in what happens to your money, property, and possessions.
If you do decide to make a will, you may also wish to consider leaving a legacy gift to charity, including the Abhayaratna Trust. Further information can be found in our August newsletter https://abhayaratnatrust.org/latest and on our website https://abhayaratnatrust.org/legacies.
Free will-writing this October
If cost has been a factor in not creating your will, October may be a helpful time to take this step. In the UK, if you are over 55, it may be possible to have a simple will written free of charge during Free Wills Month, which runs each October and March. Not all areas are covered, but yours may be. You can find more information here: https://freewillsmonth.org.uk/
For more complex wills
If your circumstances are more complex than a simple will, you may wish to speak to your own solicitor. Sujayini, a Dharmacharini based in the UK, is a qualified solicitor and offers a will-writing service for Order members, with a Sangha discount. You can contact her at sujayini@hotmail.co.uk.
Further resources
Here are some resources for general information on making a will:
GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/make-will
Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/wills/
Law Society of Scotland: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/for-the-public/what-a-solicitor-can-do-for-you/making-a-will/
nidirect (Northern Ireland): https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/making-will
People outside of the UK will need to check the official guidance for your own country.
Contact Communications Support: ghosaka@abhayaratnatrust.org with any questions or feedback.