‘OFF-grid’ mum Adele Allen and her husband Matt plan to “use” housing benefit to become totally sustainable next year – and will even make their own medicine.
The couple shot to notoriety when they appeared on This Morning to discuss their unconventional approach to parenting, and their then-one-year-old daughter Ostara weed live on TV.
Adele and Matt have Ulysses, nine, Ostara, four, and Kai now 14 months, and take a “child-led” approach to raising them – which basically means the kids chose what they want to do and when.
They have no bedtime, decide whether or not to go to school and pick if they want to brush their teeth.
Earlier this year the family appeared on Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, with Matt sparking controversy when he said working wasn’t in his “psyche”.
Matt, who battles an autoimmune disorder, said he felt justified in claiming benefits as in other ways his family had a "minimalist impact" on society.
Now the couple have told Fabulous Digital of their plans to build on this – using housing benefit to help them.
They hope to move out of their council house in the Queen's Park area of Brighton and into a more remote area, where they could build their own home and live off nature - including making medicines from elderberries.
"We are using housing benefit as a way to get there," yoga instructor Matt says, adding he will be increasing his workload a little next year.
Full-time mum Adele explained: "He has just held a talk on cold empowerment in Brighton and will be offering workshops in the near future.
"He has set up a free wild sea swimming group and goes daily when in good health."He does not plan to become employed by a company as such, but has every intention of doing more freelance work. He wishes to do more public speaking on health and well being."
They plan to live entirely off the land, making their own medicines, building shelter and growing all their own food.
"We are already out of the system for schooling and healthcare and want to become even more self-reliant," said Adele.
"We plan to make our home remedies.
"For example elderberry syrup as a natural remedy to the flu shot.
"We are using housing benefit as a stepping stone to get there."
In the meantime the family will celebrate Christmas, but they aren’t keen on some of the traditions many follow.
Elf on the Shelf is out for one, and Adele also isn’t a big fan of trips to Santa’s grotto, branding it "creepy" when kids sit on Father Christmas' knee.
"I think Elf on the Shelf is creepy and sinister," Adele says. "He just watches you and to me he represents surveillance.
"There's already an increase in surveillance in the world, what with 5G, and I don't want my children to think they are being spied on and watched all the time."
Adele also hates the idea of a "naughty and nice" list, revealing: "I don't know why you would tell children they were naughty or nice.
"Christmas should be for everyone, unconditionally, and I don't like the message this is sending out. It feels like bribery."
On Christmas Day the family will possibly go for an early morning dip in the sea in Brighton before having a plant-based lunch.
They'll be joined by Matt's mum, who supports, but doesn't share, their way of life.
They will have a few presents but not too many. "I don't believe in consumerism," says Adele. "So the children will get less than five small presents."
For the first time, Ullyses will get a big present, typical of boys his age.
"Ully, our eldest, is getting a Nintendo Switch, which is costing £280 but that is a joint birthday and Christmas present from us and his grandmother," Adele explains.
If the kids feel like scoffing their Advent calendar chocolates straight away, then so be it.
Their main meal will be a plant-based Christmas roast with vegan mince pies and Christmas pudding.
Often the children will just eat the vegetables – and Adele lets them have whatever they want, in keeping with her style of parenting.
They do have a Christmas tree, which they usually cut down from their allotment, but are keen to make sure the festive period isn't all about consumerism in their family.
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Meanwhile, Adele insists Ostara was merely the victim of a leaking nappy on This Morning.
After "vindictive trolls" voiced concerns over the children’s welfare, the couple got a visit from social services, but they left satisfied they were happy and healthy.
