What would you notice most if you visited Othona for the first time?

First, you'd find a refreshing simplicity. You're in a house that is comfortable enough, but with no gold-plating. The surroundings are attractive and homely with a strong personal touch, not smart or at all formal. With no television or radio, and as few mobile phone intrusions as possible there's a real freedom from the electronic babble of contemporary culture. (Of course our office has a buzz of equipment, but that's where we keep it.)

Second, you'd find yourself automatically involved. Everybody plays some small part in the jobs that keep our daily life going. For instance by helping wash up, or prepare vegetables, or build a fire in the grate. This is one of the most obvious distinctions between a community like ours and a guesthouse. It's also one of the best ways to make new friends; peeling spuds or weeding a path together. And all this happens in a spirit of willing co-operation, not drudgery or coercion.

Third, we hope you'll experience a quality of acceptance based on honest meeting between people of differing backgrounds, personalities and outlooks. Othona has a history of inclusivity. Straight after World War II German ex-prisoners were part of our first gatherings. In the 1990s Othona was a pioneer among Christian retreat houses in the UK actively welcoming people of all sexual orientations.

Simplicity, involvement and acceptance lay the foundations for a subtle process of building community. Our founder Norman Motley spoke of masks and disguises being shed spontaneously. "Others see us as we really are, and as we relax there are less and less layers to penetrate before one reaches the true centre of a personality. To be accepted as one is and not as one is pretending to be is a great step forward and, for some, strangely healing."

Although Othona exists for serious purposes, the atmosphere is very light-hearted. There's not a lot of pious talk, but plenty of laughter and spontaneity. And some tears, since the community experience can touch us deeply. One summary of it all is: meeting honestly and living generously.

Our hope is that those who visit us 'take a bit of community back home'. In this way coming to Othona is not just a break, let alone a piece of escapism, but an experience which can carry over as a practical blessing in your everyday life.