2017
WORKING TOGETHER The birth of a new Community in the Esk Valley, read the full article on the back page
The team from Pennine Enterprise, read their article on Page 4
Read all about Milton Keynes Camphill’s claim to fame on Page 14
Camphill Association Festival, Ireland, see Page 10
The World Wide Weave Exhibition, see Page 8
Camphill Dialogue, see Page 12
WELCOME TO THE NEW ‘THEMED’ PAGES In this first themed edition of Camphill Pages we celebrate ‘Working Together’ in its many forms in our communities from personal to official. Please explore the articles which go with the above photos and have a look at the rich diversity of contents on the next page. Welcome to our new format, hope you like it! Pages is the newsletter of the Association of Camphill Communities UK and Ireland www.camphill.org.uk
CONTENTS WELCOME WORKING TOGETHER Page 3 Camphill Community: Mourne Grange Page 3 Clanabogan: Living and Working Together Page 4 Pennine Enterprise Page 5 Camphill Blair Drummond: Associative Working Page 6 We’re All In It Together - Life That Is Page 7 Thornleigh - A New Community
WORLD WIDE WEAVE Page 8 The Exhibition Visits the USA, Norway and Finland
FESTIVAL Page 10 AoCC AGM & Camphill Festival 2017 Page 11 AoCC AGM - Report On Business
CAMPHILL DIALOGUE Page 12 An Evening of Music and Other Entertainment Page 12 Civic Reception Page 12 Some of Our Contributors (Feb & March 2017) Page 13 Up Coming Events & Our Interns
NEWS Page 14 Our Claim to Fame at Milton Keynes City’s 50th Birthday Page 14 Milton Keynes Camphill: Christmas Paradise Play Page 15 Camphill School Hermanus, South Africa Newsletter: From the Principals Desk Page 16 Loch Arthur Creamery & Food Shop Wins at the Scottish Rural Awards Page 16 Anthroposophic Approaches to Healing Page 17 Book Review: Community Care and Inclusion for People with an Intellectual Disability Page 17 A Walk in the Highlands Page 18 Adult Social Care Report Refers to Intentional Community Village
Once upon a time it was the Camphill Community ‘Working Together’ as individual places and as a world wide movement. Nowadays the ripples of the pond have widened considerably and ‘Working Together’ means so much more contact not only with individual people but with agencies and inspection bodies as well as local authorities and social services departments. On one level it makes sure meals were on the table and the daily life was carried out with resolve. Linked to that and working together was the development of an ‘inner life’ for each person interested in Camphill to carry that rhythm and see that the lessons were prepared, the yearly festivals celebrated and plays performed.
I was told the office in some communities was once just a broom cupboard under the stairs, now it can be the beating heart of the place with a reception area, meeting rooms, a tea kitchen and signing in the visitors!
There is much to celebrate and yet so many challenges as for every positive working The sense of mutual responsibility between together there will be the commissioner who doesn’t understand, the report that all who lived and worked in a Camphill is unfairly inaccurate, the toaster which was very strong and its seeds are visible escaped the electrical inspection! today in many places and endeavours. Today ‘Working Together’ like a ripple in a So what’s to be done in the face of pond fans out and takes in so much more. Armageddon? Well, do something that Camphill is famous for and does so well... It means a good relationship with local Celebrate a Festival! This is exactly what authority commissioners who place happened in Ireland recently and the clients and of course being aware of their centre pages are full of the Association political overlords. Festival and what happened at Ballytobin! It means a fair and open relationship with inspection bodies; social services, teaching Another Camphill wide international quality bodies, safe guarding and checking event is The Camphill Dialogue to be held in Scotland in May and here we print the all the equipment for the monitoring full timetable of speakers, events and agencies to make sure the toaster is electrically tested and the insurance policy workshops for the delegates who will come from Camphill and it’s governing bodies now covers new drivers. around the world. It means a whole new relationship with To conclude with a tribute to all who parents and siblings following the journey helped The World Wide Weave come of their charges, for to hand over that about, to The Camphill Foundation which charge is a deeply significant act. financially supported the venture, to Peter who looked after the exhibition as In a sense it also means carrying technical it went from country to country and has competence and compliance which surprisingly encompasses the cornerstones described the journey it made so well and to all who hosted the weaving wall of the community, for example organising hangings and tapestries. the Christmas Festival, (not too early, it loses it’s significance, not too late, The last journey is described inside and everyone has gone home!) The St John’s you can now buy an exhibit! (See the Fire, (where’s the extinguisher?) The Easter Egg Hunt (don’t fall into the duck pond!) and advertisement for more details). even organising a funeral that all can take part, can do so to grieve and celebrate a life Vivian Griffiths, Editorial Co-Ordinator lived in community in a way that is wished.
COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENCE Page 18 A Letter from Carmarthenshire, Camphill South Wales
THE FUTURE... Page 19 Dreams and Hopes for the Future of Our Movement
A NEW COMMUNITY Page 20 Esk Valley: The Birth of a New Community
The new office, tea kitchen and meeting room at Tigh A' Chomainn Camphill Aberdeen nears completion. A new social space! 02
Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
WORKING TOGETHER
CAMPHILL COMMUNITY: MOURNE GRANGE I am the registered manager for Camphill Community Mourne Grange and I want to share with you the importance of associative working with students in health and social care and social work. In my new role as manager I brought with me 20 years experience of working with people with learning disabilities and 10 years experience of being a practice teacher for social work students. When I started my role as manager in Mourne Grange I thought it would be positive to offer social work students the opportunity to have placements in Mourne Grange as part of their training and degree.
We have also been able to facilitate placements for social work students from Germany. We have received extremely positive feedback from students who have spent time with us. They have appreciated the opportunity to work beside people with learning disabilities and develop very meaningful connections. They have also had the opportunity to learn about the ethos of Camphill and the unique value it offers to both life sharing community members and people with learning disabilities. This experience is taken with them as they move forward during the rest of their training and on into life as qualified social workers. This means that Mourne Grange has the opportunity to educate and inform the future population of newly qualified social workers.
This was building on existing experience within Mourne Grange of facilitating students from more local education facilities This approach also ensures that the valuable completing courses in health and social care. knowledge they have gained as students is shared with people with learning disabilities Since 2015 we have been able to facilitate and their families, who may want to choose eight students in the Community for life in a Camphill Community. placements averaging from three to four months in length and from a range of Based on our positive experience of universities, including Queens University, facilitating social work students I would University of Ulster and the Open University. encourage any Camphill Community to consider this as a way forward in associative working. Lizzy Dixon
CLANABOGAN: LIVING & WORKING TOGETHER Camphill started in Northern Ireland with the founding of Glencraig in 1954 and three other communities began during the next 40 years.
Members of the Clanabogan Development Initiative www.camphill.org.uk
The 30 years from the early 1970s until the late 1990s was the period in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles when divisions, conflict, terrorism and violence deeply affected politics, the economy, the cultural and social life, and everyday life of the whole population.
The political and religious background of any resident, co-worker or employee was never significant or enquired into. However, throughout those years families told us that they appreciated the safe neutral space Camphill provided where they could meet fellow citizens.
More than 3,000 people were killed through One small initiative which aimed to establish good local relationships political violence during those years. irrespective of other allegiances was the founding in the early 1990s of the From the beginning Camphill resolved to Clanabogan Development Initiative, a remain outside politics and sectarianism and never identified itself with any party or small group of local teachers, farmers and business people who met regularly in group. We had an advantage in that most Camphill Clanabogan and took on local co-workers were foreigners and therefore projects in our small rural townland. free of local traditions, yet we wanted to help in any way we could. Fortunately things began to improve with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement We felt that the best contribution we at Easter 1998 and now Northern Ireland is could make to the terrible situation was more peaceful and prosperous. to relate to the positive qualities in the country, the tremendous spiritual history The friendships made continue and the of Ireland, irrespective of borders, and the group still meets regularly. wonderful gifts Ireland has given to the world, for example in music, literature Cherry How and arts & crafts. There were regular cross border meetings among the Camphill Communities which studied Irish history and culture and cultivated brotherliness and awareness of each other. 03
WORKING TOGETHER PENNINE CAMPHILL COMMUNITY: PENNINE ENTERPRISE Pennine Enterprise is run by a group of students from Pennine Camphill Community. Two years ago as part of the national Young Enterprise Scheme they started a small business. Shares were sold to raise funds. They were guided by Young Enterprise, a national charity working with young people to empower and develop skills for work. Roles were chosen by each member of the team from director through to marketing. Then work began to understand those roles and responsibilities. The first idea of a car wash business was a great in theory but not so in practice. Technical problems and insufficient dry clothes tested everyone’s tolerance and good humour! A limited market also restricted the business as the group needed to work within the confines of Pennine. A rethink was needed and last year a vote was taken to change tack and strategy. After much discussion a plan emerged to create a craft business. Money raised from the share capital bought some cards and buttons and some good sturdy Ikea picture frames and production began!
Progress was slow at first, some of the team struggled with finer dexterity work which led to further design meetings. A eureka moment hit upon the idea of Scrabble Pictures. These were a hit. Success and sales to family and friends developed a market and profit to buy more stock. Local galas together with other events for table top sales were an ideal outlet. The group’s Pennine Enterprise Facebook site quickly received orders and commissions leading to increased production.
Some of the fantastic keepsakes on display
As a business, decisions are taken together. Everyone, regardless of ability, play their part in the business’ future. The team’s skills gained from the project have developed motivation, direction and understanding for a life beyond college. To find out more follow us on Facebook at Pennine Enterprise. Steve Hopewell
Charlotte with a decorated box
Nicole with a personalised keepsake
Beth with a hanging button heart
Members of Pennine Enterprise
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“Wishing you rainbows and sunshine”
Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
Enjoying music in the garden
Pancake racing up the gallery!
CAMPHILL BLAIR DRUMMOND: ASSOCIATIVE WORKING Camphill Blair Drummond is a vibrant community, nestling in beautiful countryside outside Stirling in Central Scotland.
How is it possible to fulfil the Camphill ethos and build an intentional community with paid workers?
Who “holds” the community culture, who is mindful of the festivals and the seasons and how it is possible to have the same Over the past eight years, the community sense of commitment when employees has undergone a significant transformation, leave the community at the end of the day? embarking on a multi-million pound development plan which has seen the Such are the challenges we work with construction of new houses and workshops at Blair Drummond. But it is these plus major refurbishment of its existing same challenges that have made us the premises and grounds. community we are today. Living and working within this backdrop is a community of 250 individuals comprising residents, day students, young international co-workers who stay with us for a year, a team of local volunteers plus employees.
We are ever conscious of keeping alive our aspiration to retain the Camphill ethos and create and nurture a community spirit. We have to work hard to sustain this.
This may feel quite alien compared to previous work experience and may not come easily at first. Through our Vision Planning Process employees are encouraged to think about how they can contribute to the life and work of the community and bring their own skills and interests. So whatever our role, we share our talents whatever they may be; music, poetry, sports, arts & crafts, baking, even belly dancing and we incorporate these into the life of the community.
Over the years we have thought hard about how we build community and have implemented a number of initiatives to bring people together from across teams and communities to underpin associative working. Some have been tried and have failed while others have become embedded in what we do and have become established norms. Being in a Camphill community is a work experience like no other. The opportunities for co-creating and shaping a community are available to anyone and everyone.
At Blair Drummond, all our employees participate in our cultural and social events, regardless of role.
Communities who choose to implement an employee model with some short term co-worker volunteers as we have done, Opportunities such as these to bring people need not worry unnecessarily that the sense of community will be lost. It appears to us that in some Camphill together is important for social cohesion communities, the sense of community is so and co-operation across our various teams The rapid expansion of Blair Drummond We may not be a “traditional” Camphill at and demands a certain level of flexibility strong and well established that it is ever has seen the transition from the traditional present and appears effortlessly sustained. and creativity. Blair Drummond but nonetheless we have Camphill co-worker model to a mostly created our own community which serves employed workforce, yet still enjoying the In football terms, our community leaders the people who live and work here well. People have carved out their own roles vibrant contribution from our 35 short term over the years and have established a are expected to be “player/managers”, on volunteer co-workers. Sandra Sabiston way of working with each other that is the one hand leading and managing tasks complementary to the knowledge, skills while on the other, racing up the gallery This transition was a necessity to ensure and interests of the individual. Perhaps this with a pancake in a frying pan! the longevity of the community and has is a romantic view! meant that we have been able to offer Working together to build a community is homes and meaningful work to a greater Nonetheless, we try to mirror this way not easy. Like a garden, it requires constant number of people. Initially, our model of of working at Blair Drummond by asking attention, sustenance and weeding plus operating was viewed with some scepticism people to work together in a way which the co-operation of everyone living and from other communities. goes beyond their own role and engages working in the community to contribute their own interests. to the process. It cannot be the task of one individual.
www.camphill.org.uk
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WORKING TOGETHER “ Many feel themselves crushed by the weight of the times and despair of the power of ideas as creative forces. They are ‘waiting’ until ‘circumstances’ produce a more favourable state of affairs. However, circumstances will never produce anything but what has been implanted in them by human ideas.” Rudolf Steiner
WE’RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER - LIFE THAT IS I am very glad to have been asked to contribute to Camphill Pages, as an outsider looking in. I have a deep connection with Camphill, through a close family member who has lived in its communities for about 45 years. This has given me an insight into the curative and transformative qualities of Camphill living. I have found it extraordinarily inspiring to see people coming together to work towards such high ideals and making such a valuable contribution to society. But I have also had the painful experience of seeing how fragile and vulnerable Camphill communities can be, within a wider social and political environment which is not always in tune with those ideals and that kind of life.
It can embrace renewal as an essential and positive process - not like some island battered by the waves crashing around its shores, but as an integral part of society as a whole.
One of the great strengths of Camphill communities, it seems to me, has been their constant cycle of cross-fertilisation, through exchanges of experience gained in different settings, fed by a sense of joint endeavour and a willingness to learn from others.
Change is bound to feel painful if it happens under pressure, as a struggle for survival. But Camphill is not driven by instinct, reacting to outside conditions simply to cling to life: it is a conscious and resourceful body that has a remarkable creative and regenerative capacity.
This shared sense of striving reflects what is essentially a “work-in-progress,” never a perfectly realised model.
The Alliance for Camphill was born out of a sharp awareness of the urgent need for positive action to promote and protect the core principles of Camphill, which it champions as “an important contribution to society and to the dignity and freedom of human beings with all types of ability and disability.”
This is precisely because the Camphill “project” is life itself, in all its different aspects, and is not confined to any fixed system or scheme. These connections give each community a feeling of being part of, and in touch with, something greater than itself, and of making its own contribution to that greater whole. As I think about the ups and downs and the assorted fortunes experienced by Camphill communities over the years, I am reminded that evolution is not all about the survival of the fittest: the survivors are not only the strongest but also those best able to respond to change.
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Camphill, too, is a living organism, dependent on the interplay of its various parts and on a balance with the environmental conditions and elements on which it also depends.
It both recognises and values the great variety of settings where genuine efforts are made to work towards these ideals. At the same time, the Alliance firmly believes that it is not enough to call something Camphill for that something to be Camphill. This is an old debate and a very healthy one: it encourages all those who treasure the Camphill impulse to consider its real purpose and how it is best expressed and achieved.
However, I suggest that we can all unite around the following basic principles: • Disability does not define a person. • People living and working together with a common purpose and shared values.
We are, as our Founding Constitution says, “an independent association of individuals who support the core principles of the worldwide Camphill movement.”
We aim to achieve this partly by informing law-makers, county councils • A community which offers a sense who fund support, health authorities, of place and purpose where everyone doctors, regulators, people who influence has a meaningful role, irrespective of social care policy and the general public their abilities. of the unique benefits of community • A place where there is no “them” and “us.” living, and of Camphill communities in particular. The Alliance is one of many groups which support Camphill in various ways and it With this in mind, we have recently wants to develop mutual understanding published our own Manifesto, and support with others who share our at which we will distribute as widely as least some of our aims. possible to increase awareness of what We each bring our own perspective, resources and experiences, but I am convinced that, together, we can achieve greater things through greater cooperation. We can all learn from one another. Is this spirit of give-and-take not part of the essence of Camphill? Can we, too, cultivate a spirit of community? The Alliance has already been in touch with the Association of Camphill Communities, the Camphill Families and Friends, Camphill Scotland and the Camphill Foundation to see how we can support each other and work together. Though the Alliance is different from those other bodies, since it doesn’t represent communities or families and isn’t a fundraising charity, we do have the same firm commitment to protecting and promoting key Camphill values.
Camphill means. I hope many readers will want to join us in this important endeavour, by becoming members of the Alliance, contributing to the debate we want to encourage via our new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/allianceforcamphill) or in any other way. To join the Alliance for Camphill please contact our Membership Secretary Emmeline King-Evans at emmelinerj@hotmail.com For any other questions or correspondence, please do get in touch with me directly: Julian Haxby, Chair, Alliance for Camphill. Email: allianceforcamphill@gmail.com Julian Haxby, Chairman of the Alliance for Camphill
Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
“ It will be pretty good now that we have merged, we can do more things together like one big happy family”. Ashley, a resident at Orchard Leigh Helen & Ashley
Joe & James from The Hatch
Orchard Leigh resident, Noel
THORNLEIGH - A NEW COMMUNITY Thornleigh Camphill Communities is the new name for the charity created by the collaborative merger of Camphill Communities Thornbury and Orchard Leigh Camphill Community. The combined charity supports three communities. Two are in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire: The Hatch Camphill Community is home to 29 people with a learning disability and The Sheiling School provides education to children with special needs. Orchard Leigh Camphill Community is about 17 miles north along the course of the River Severn in the county of Gloucestershire. It currently supports 18 people with a learning disability. The idea of a close collaboration grew naturally out of the existing ties between the communities. Many members know each other from college days or from other communities. It was already commonplace for the communities to share visits and festivals and this has developed further over the course of the last year. From appreciating the sunshine, walking to the top of Glastonbury Tor on Ascension Day to dancing together at the Valentine’s Day Ball, from the beauty of the Advent Garden to sampling the wares at the Christmas Market; the two adult communities have really enjoyed developing a sense of community, neighbourhood and togetherness.
“I would like to show them around the Land workshop, our new poly-tunnels and how busy it is. They can order veg boxes from us,” says Richard who has lived at The Hatch for many years. “I’d like to share how I learnt to use the sit-on lawnmower. We can also show them all the things that we make in the other workshops” Past and present co-workers and staff had lived and worked in both communities with several trustees having links to both charities. The Thornbury communities date back to the 1950s. Orchard Leigh community has existed for nearly 40 years, but the charity was only formed in 2013 when it de-merged from the nearby specialist college, William Morris House. It was working to find its feet, getting to grips with the regulatory and other demands of being a social care provider as well as marked cuts in local authority funding. The Hatch had previously faced similar challenges and had done a lot of work over the years to develop ways of running the charity that met the requirements of regulators and funders whilst maintaining the values and ethos of a Camphill Community.
There is much interest and excitement at the thought of developing this further It seemed sensible to the Trustees of both charities to build on that work, and all the opportunities that the two communities coming together can bring. and generous support was provided to help develop the Orchard Leigh organisation. The Trustees of Orchard Members have been talking about how Leigh first raised the idea of a merger much they would like to experience the just over a year ago. Discussions then other community’s workshops whether led to a formal process and extensive it’s the wonderful little bakery at the consultation, within the communities heart of Orchard Leigh or The Hatch’s and with families and friends. weaving, woodwork, craft and land workshops. What a wonderful harvest There was clearly a great deal of support this will bring not just of bread, food and goodwill and the outcome was the and crafts but also of new skills merger on 31st March 2017. and friendships. Everyone is excited.
www.camphill.org.uk
Joe from The Hatch thinks that “it is good that The Hatch is getting bigger. Being small is beautiful but bigger means more opportunities.” The combined charity has a single board of Trustees and unified management structure. Everyone is however very mindful that the charity is only there to support those who live, work, and are educated within the communities. The Trustees are committed to maintaining the identity and selfdetermination of each of the three constituent communities. Care and support continues to be managed locally by dedicated people within each community. There are however opportunities for collaboration with sharing of training and experience.
Life hasn’t however been just about ‘The Merger’! During the course of the last year both Orchard Leigh and The Hatch underwent Care Quality Commission inspections. Both were rated as ‘Good’ overall with The Hatch being rated ‘Outstanding’ as a caring organisation. Orchard Leigh has also enjoyed an influx of short-term co-workers that have added greatly to the community. The Sheiling School has relatively recently extended its registration to become a children’s home. It can now offer a home to children with special needs who need more than termtime accommodation.
Thornleigh is perhaps a bit of an experiment in how to ensure for the future the undoubted value of smallMembers of both communities were quick to see the potential. Noel who has scale, community-based life whilst meeting the responsibilities of being a long been a feature of life at Orchard provider of a regulated service, limited Leigh thinks that “it’s good to join up with the Hatch to see new faces, meet other company in receipt of public funds, people and the nice new manager Cecilie”. charity, employer, property manager, and so on. The cultural and spiritual aspect which The name itself is a composite that is the heart of Camphill life has of signifies the whole, whilst preserving the course benefited. The choir has grown identity of its component parts. in size and volume at recent festivals and Hayley from Orchard Leigh thinks A kind of ‘community of communities’. that “it’s nice to have more friends; James who lives at The Hatch thinks that Michaelmas made me happy, there were “bigger families are good, there are more lots of people.” people to talk to which is better”. James really enjoyed the communities Ash at Orchard Leigh has summarised coming together for Ascension Day and has exciting plans with his friend Joe for the merger beautifully, he thinks that the “things we’ve done together were the future. Joe and James are some of perfect enjoyment”. We look forward The Hatch’s most enthusiastic football to the future and all the benefits of fans. They are hoping to recruit fellow community that it will bring. fans for a Supporters Social Club. Sarn Bradshaw
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WORLD WIDE WEAVE THE EXHIBITION VISITS THE USA, NORWAY AND FINLAND... After its successful visit to Barrie, Ontario, Canada in February 2016, the World Wide Weave crossed the border south by road and arrived in New York City in time for the 50th anniversary celebration of Camphill in North America. This gala evening and dinner took place in a spectacular venue Tribeca 360, with a panoramic view of Lower Manhattan, and was attended by a large number of Camphill board members, friends, supporters, parents, residents and co-workers. It was a glittering occasion and the exhibition was displayed on a huge rail and curtain construction which formed one side of a long entrance hall to the gala venue. From New York City the exhibition moved upstate to the town of Hudson and the Solaris Centre for Social Arts, the Main Street focus of the life of Camphill Hudson, a thriving and developing urban initiative. The exhibits looked marvellous in the large and light-filled room behind the popular gift shop, and with the entrance right on the main street of the town it brought in a large number of interested and appreciative visitors.
It was immensely gratifying that many people drove long distances to see the exhibition from all over that area and from New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. The warmth, appreciation and positivity towards the exhibition and the work of Camphill itself were overwhelming. In the Philadelphia Inquirer article Eileen McMonagle described the exhibition as “a wonderful show and a great story about the power of creativity”. She said that “the forefront of the Camphill Movement is the understanding that people living with developmental disabilities and learning differences have extraordinary creative talents and skills of all kinds such as practical, social and artistic”. She also said that “Everyone at Historic Yellow Springs is honoured to partner with their neighbours and friends at Camphill Village Kimberton Hills and the communities of Soltane and Beaver Run to present the show to the region”.
People from nearby Camphill communities Copake and Triform were able to visit and also friends and supporters of Camphill from all over the New England states.
“ A wonderful The next move was south again to show and a Pennsylvania, for no less than five weeks at the Lincoln Building in the special heritage great story site of Historic Yellow Springs in Chester county, about 5 miles from Camphill Village about the power Kimberton Hills. of creativity”. The original building on the site was opened in person by George Washington in 1777 as a military hospital, and later there was a Civil War hospital and orphanage. The current building was erected in 1900, also as an orphanage.
Eileen McMonagle - Philadelphia Enquirer
At the end of its time in North America the whole exhibition travelled back across the Historic Yellow Springs in West Pikeland has Atlantic by FedEx and after a short summer a mission to share, preserve and celebrate its break in England it took to the air again at heritage by focusing on visual arts, history the end of September for Oslo, to form part and the environment. The exhibition filled of the 50th anniversary jubilee of Camphill four spacious rooms on the first floor of the in Norway. historic building, in what had once been the girls’ dormitory, kept deliciously cool by the This took place in the renowned air-conditioning - it was boiling hot outside! Holmenkollen Hotel near the famous ski jumps on a hill overlooking the city, but the Executive Director Eileen McMonagle exhibition was in the exceptional setting of was a tremendous support and helped to Oslo City Hall, a landmark in the city centre achieve widespread publicity for the right on the harbour side with a view out World Wide Weave, not least in a whole over the fjord. page article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, with syndication throughout the whole of Eastern Pennsylvania.
This venue afforded the largest, lightest and most spacious venue of the entire two-year project and the central location in such an iconic building ensured a steady flow of visitors, including tourists from all over the world. Having the really excellent City Hall restaurant and café on the mezzanine above also helped! It was a wonderful experience to have the exhibition as part of the 50 Year Jubilaeum and it created another focal point for the event outside the hotel, along with a lively and colourful whole-day craft fair held in a neighbouring market square. The Jubilaeum itself was a full-on conference with prominent guest speakers, discussion groups, artistic activities and social events, not least a spectacular gala dinner attended by the king’s sister Princess Astrid, with a speech given by the Mayor of Oslo.
As in almost all venues, including Barrie, Hudson, Yellow Springs and Oslo City Hall, there was a festive opening event attended by many residents, co-workers, board members and friends of Camphill in Finland. Also, most importantly, as in other venues, there was a tremendous amount of interest, appreciation and warmth expressed by the general public, both towards the exhibition itself and the work of Camphill more widely. When the exhibition closed, on 1st December it flew back to Britain and the 45 exhibits which had been purchased during the course of the tour could be posted to their new owners. Some of them had patiently waited for almost two years to take possession!
Some interesting crossovers have taken place, for example a piece created in The Lantern, England, now resides in Canada; two others from England, Sheiling Thornbury and Delrow, are in Switzerland After the close of the event, the exhibition and France; the piece from Moscow, Russia, went by road to Camphill RotvollKristoffertunet in Trondheim, where a small is in England; from Tapola, Finland to Dublin, Ireland; from Duffcarrig, Ireland exhibition of a selection of pieces took place, thanks to the initiative of local board to Tapola, and also from Ontario, Canada to Tapola. member Astrid Sandvik. It then travelled again by air from Trondheim via Oslo and Stockholm to Helsinki for a two week show in the Finnish capital, financially supported by Camphill Finland. This was the 26th and final venue of the World Wide Weave tour and took place in the ultra-modern Pasila Library, a short distance north from the centre of Helsinki. Already in mid-November the days were very short and it was freezing, with day time temperatures of -7°C and a lot of lying snow. This, however, did not stop people swimming at night in the harbour side sea-water (heated) pool in clouds of steam and magical fairy-lights, the most courageous among them even daring a few moments in the unheated section, usually accompanied by loud screams!
The exhibit from Glenora Farm, Vancouver Island, now lives in St-Prex, Switzerland and the exhibit from Perceval in St-Prex has gone to a house near Winchester Cathedral, England. The piece from Staffansgården in Sweden has gone to Hudson, New York; two from Cairnlee to The Mount, England and Vidaråsen, Norway; from Camphill Scotland to Oslo; from Coleg Elidyr, Wales, to Simeon, Aberdeen; from Tigh A’Chomainn, Aberdeen to Ghent, New York. A number of communities which preferred to have their own piece back home, offered to pay the full exhibition asking price, as a generous gesture of thanks and appreciation towards Camphill Foundation, for which the trustees are enormously grateful.
All that remains to be said is that a good number of exhibits are still available for purchase and these beautiful creations can be viewed on the Foundation website at The World Wide Weave exhibits were displayed all over the very light and spacious www.camphillfoundation.net. library building, on two floors, and looked wonderful against the minimalist backdrop The price is very reasonable but any difficulty with this can be discussed of white walls, wood and glass. with Peter Bateson (contact details on the webpage). Peter Bateson, Curator
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Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
Helsinki, Finland: Visitors from Pahkla, Estonia
Helsinki, Finland: The display throughout the library
Hudson, USA: The displays at Solaris Centre for Social Arts
Oslo, Norway: Visitors outside the exhibition
Hudson, USA: Solaris Centre for Social Arts
Hudson, USA: The displays at Solaris
Helsinki, Finland: Senate Square
Oslo, Norway: One of the proud weavers
Pennsylvania, USA: A practical demonstration
Pennsylvania, USA: Visitors enjoying the exhibition
WORLD WIDE WEAVE EXHIBITION SALE All remaining unsold exhibits of the World Wide Weave Exhibition are now available to buy online at the same price of ÂŁ115, including postage. Please browse through the exhibits at www.camphillfoundation.net to see the amazing beauty and variety of textile art on offer and to make a purchase. Your interest and generosity will greatly assist the Foundation in its work. The exhibition has closed for the last time and the exhibits are ready for immediate dispatch. To purchase one of these unique works of textile art, please contact Peter Bateson by email peter@camphillfoundation.net
www.camphill.org.uk
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CAMPHILL FESTIVAL AoCC AGM & CAMPHILL FESTIVAL 2017 Over 200 participants from Camphill communities across Ireland and the UK gathered for this year’s Association of Camphill Communities AGM and Camphill Festival in Kilkenny, on an astonishingly sunny weekend at the end of March. What an inspiring, inclusive gathering. A showcase of exciting new and ‘renewed’ ideas of how Camphill can meet the challenges of the 21st Century. The weekend was a head, heart, and hands treasure box of talks, workshops, music, food, dance and above all - meeting each other and being inspired by each other.
• We dance. • We embrace media and new technologies to tell our story. • We truly care for the land, animals and the natural world. • We celebrate diversity in every ‘way of being’, in all human relationships. • We are creators of beautiful buildings and ‘places of the Soul’.
KCAT Art and Study Centre in the heart of the town of Callan provided the inspirational backdrop for the theme of ‘Creativity and Community’.
This amazing variety of workshops gave us a rich opportunity to share, discuss and champion what we do best.
Every wall in the building bursts with painting, print, sculpture and creative vitality. The festival opened with a series of presentations introducing the breadth of artistic practice and experience at KCAT.
Many communities gave short inspirational ‘Community Snapshots’ - to mention one in particular was the life affirming presentation from members of the brand new Esk Valley Camphill Community.
The weekend was active with workshops and events happening in many locations including a vegetable garden, bakery, bike workshop and artists’ studio.
Two full AGM sessions dedicated to the nitty-gritty work of holding our Association together - the behind the scenes work in finance, insurance, legislation and maintaining healthy organisational structures. It’s an occasion to thank all those who faithfully carry those essential but often hidden tasks.
We proposed the idea that healthy vibrant communities depend on each of us finding our own creative spark of genius, whether as artists, farmers, gardeners, makers of beautiful crafts - but most of all as creators of ways of “living and working, together creatively”. Each participant choose to attend two workshop sessions from a range of 10 workshop themes. What richness. It was clear to all, that in Camphill we are out to change the world (at the very least!) and we all wear many hats...
Festival buzz around KCAT Art and Study Centre
One of the amazing results of our shared Camphill Insurance scheme is that it gives us the means to support communities in Southern Africa. This outreach aspect of Camphill came up again in the Community Snapshots, with an inspiring presentation about Camphill in rural India.
Catherine Marshall (writer and curator), presents on the role of the artist in community
We can’t begin to do justice to many of the • We are ‘eco-warriors’ striving for ecologically other activities during the weekend - like the wonderful Sunday finale in the Watergarden, sustainable communities. when we networked over a delicious brunch • We are ‘social- entrepreneurs’ finding and watched a dramatic fairytale from the alternatives to ‘bottom line- capitalism’. Bridge Community. • We are creative artists. Suffice to say, whatever you do, don’t miss • We are the champions of healthy nutrition. next year! • We are innovators in community living and co-design. Tony Whittle & Rosie Lynch • We are listeners to every voice.
Camphill Jerpoint Bell Ringers
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Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
ASSOCIATION OF CAMPHILL COMMUNITIES AGM REPORT ON BUSINESS Amongst the very warm and festive atmosphere of the Camphill Festival was the formal business of our (AoCC) AGM. We were taken through the business of the meeting at a blistering pace. So in the same vein, here are the main points that were discussed, highlighted or agreed on... Reports where given by each. The Camphill Insurance Agency The Camphill Communities acknowledged It is clear that each Neighbourhood faces the very supportive role played by significant pressures. Often these are as a Senior Wright. result of changes in legislation. But also the relationships between the bodies that The CIA board will produce a new make up our organisation are changing information leaflet highlighting the creating new challenges. benefits of the scheme. We have managed to not make too many claims on our motor vehicle policy. This means that a donation will be made to the AoCC for use in supporting the Camphill Africa Region. L: Community members from Camphill Ballybay • R: Andrew Pike, Camphill elder and KCAT Studio artist
We also had a report from the Camphill Africa Region highlighting the fantastic work that our donations our put to.
AoCC Constitution It was proposed and agreed that the AoCC adopt a new constitution to replace the Membership All of our current members have paid their existing Articles of Association. subscriptions and have asked to continue This is a very significant step for our to be members for the coming year. organization and was carried over to this year for a final decision. Two new organisations have asked to join as “affiliated” members the Alliance Finally... for Camphill and the Esk Valley Camphill Earlier in the year the AoCC sought Community. your thoughts on the future of Pages. The response was positive. It was agreed that both of these organisations should be admitted as It was agreed, therefore, that Camphill affiliate members. Pages should continue to be published as a valued and valuable part of the AoCC Neighbourhood Reports work on behalf of it’s members - you the The AoCC is made up of the following Camphill Community. Neighbourhoods: • Scottish • English/Welsh • Irish (RoI) Tom Marx • Northern Irish
Camphill Clanabogan crafts at the Pop Up Market
www.camphill.org.uk
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28th May)
£150 per person for a twin room (check in 24th May—checkout 28th May)
CAMPHILL DIALOGUE AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENT
If you would like to extend your stay or arrive early please email us to receive an updated quote.
There will be an open evening of music and other entertainment with contributions welcomed and encouraged from delegates. Alan Brown from Newton Dee will co-ordinate the evening, as well as performing. Please contact him as soon as possible if you would like to take part so he can prepare the working programme for the evening: alanbrown@newtondee.org.uk
CIVIC RECEPTION To mark this special event and its formal opening, Aberdeen City Council will host a Civic Reception in the Town House in recognition of Camphill’s contribution to the city. The event will be hosted by the Lord Provost or his representative and will include short speeches and presentations. Light refreshments will be served.
SOME OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS... FEBRUARY 2017
MARCH 2017
Onat Sanchez-Schwartz Lives in Ghent, NY and works at Camphill Ghent as the Executive Co-ordinator and Director of Activities.
Claus Sproll He has been in Camphill for 35 years (South Africa, Canada, US) and for the last 22 years at Camphill Special School as Director of Finance. Claus also serves as Administrative Director of the Beaver Run Foundation.
He is a Board member of Camphill Ghent, Heartbeet Lifesharing (Camphill in Vermont, USA) and the Camphill Association of North America, where he currently serves as the President. He has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the John F. Kennedy University in California. He joined Camphill in America in 2000 and his professional background includes human resource management and counselling psychology. Sandra Sabiston B. Ed (Hons), B.Sc. (Hons) C.S.S. FHEA, is Assistant Director at Camphill Blair Drummond.
He has been involved in financial strategic planning in a number of organizations both inside and outside Camphill. He is involved in the AdminInstitute, providing skills’ courses to professionals in mission-driven organizations who want to expand their skills and teaches Organizational Development courses in the Camphill Academy. Claus is a member of the Collegium of the Social Science Section in the US. He is a board member of Camphill Special School. Kosha Joubert Serves as CEO of the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) - bringing coherence to a global movement and harnessing the power of community for a regenerative future.
Qualified in Education and Social Work, Sandra has worked in Further and Higher Education as well as Social Work in Day Services and Residential Care. Born and brought up in Orkney, Sandra brings her own experience of small island community living to her role.
Kosha grew up in South Africa under apartheid and has been dedicated to building bridges across divides ever since. You can see her TEDx talk on Ecovillages here: https://youtu.be/gGbuOBCGfmQ
Vibeke Alfred Co-worker in Camphill School Aberdeen since 1976.
Birte Miereczko Lives in Camphill Le Be al in the south of France.
Her main task and heart has always been in the task of home making. She has been a tutor on the Kate Roth Seminar for home makers for 18 years, has been involved in the transition of what was the original Camphill Seminar into the BA in Social Pedagogy at Aberdeen University and is presently part of the course team that is developing the newly professionally recognised BA in Residential Child Care at Robert Gordon University.
She came to Camphill Schools Aberdeen in 2001 after having spent a year as a young co-worker in Le Be al.
A special interest deriving from the above areas of involvement is how Camphill ethics and practice can find a place under and contribute towards the overarching umbrella of social pedagogy in the UK. 12
Birte finished her BA in Curative Education in 2005. In 2009 the Miereczko family moved to Le Be al where Birte is part of the management team. In 2012 she obtained a degree in French Social Work Management. The day-to-day challenge in her work is to how to apply the Camphill values in the ever-changing landscape of social work in France.
Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
SCOTLAND
www.camphill.org.uk
MAY 23RD - 27TH 2017
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NEWS OUR CLAIM TO FAME AT MILTON KEYNES CITY’S 50TH BIRTHDAY (TAKEN FROM THE JAN/FEB NEWSLETTER) On the 23rd of January, “we were received by the very handsome and wonderful Nick Coffer” (Nick told us to start our report with this line, you have every right not to believe him) while BBC Three Counties were doing some recording in our Willen site as part of the celebration of Milton Keynes City’s 50th birthday A team from the BBC interviewed various workshops in Camphill, including the Café, the theatre group, the garden group and some of the houses. They spoke to many co-workers, residents, members of staff and the CEO “Uncle Tim”. The newsletter group grabbed this rare opportunity to put the presenter himself in the spot light. Our team - Alex F, Lee S, Stuart A, and Guimin caught up with Nick and his producer Claire in our library. After Guimin “stuttered through a brief introduction of our team in her heavy Chinese accent”, Stuart and Lee started firing intriguing questions at Nick, aiming to dig out as much as possible.
We learned that Nick started his radio career from 2010 and he still didn’t know what he’s doing after nearly 7 years. He enjoyed his job as he got paid for talking, which he’s good at and that he had interviewed many famous people... (We are only trying to report as truthfully as possible.) Nick stopped us just before we were about to dig into his dark secrets and felt very much relieved. At the end of the interview, we took the opportunity to take a group photo with Nick and Claire, so that we have proof of our 5 minutes’ claim to fame. Alex F, Lee S and Stuart A Assisted by Guimin
Proof of our claim to fame... Our group photo with Nick and Claire
MILTON KEYNES CAMPHILL: CHRISTMAS PARADISE PLAY (TAKEN FROM THE JAN/FEB NEWSLETTER) Before Christmas co-workers treated everyone with a very nice play. The play retold the story of Adam & Eve and the snake in the Garden of Eden. The cast: Matilda as the snake, Johanna B as God, Katherina and Johanna G as Adam and Eva, Louisa as Gabriel, co-workers Alex and Fiona acted as the narrators, Fiona and Mariam sang while Joan played on the piano. 14
Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
CAMPHILL SCHOOL HERMANUS SOUTH AFRICA NEWSLETTER - FROM THE PRINCIPALS DESK
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NEWS ANTHROPOSOPHIC LOCH ARTHUR CREAMERY & FOOD SHOP APPROACHES TO HEALING WINS AT THE SCOTTISH RURAL AWARDS Loch Arthur Creamery & Farm Shop is part of the Loch Arthur Camphill Community. The overall vision of Loch Arthur is to create and sustain a balanced community in which all members are fully integrated and can lead rich and fulfilling lives.
From these humble beginnings, Loch Arthur cheeses have been recognised, sought-after and are now produced in the purpose-built creamery and sold throughout the UK.
The community includes an organic farm and gardens, a creamery, farm shop, bakery, butchers and kitchens.
Loch Arthur’s walled garden and greenhouses produce organic fruit and vegetables, which are sold in the farm shop alongside fresh bread from the on-site bakery and cakes, pies, biscuits and chutneys created in the farm shop kitchen.
The business was the first in Galloway to market their own organic beef, lamb and pork directly from the farm to the public and in 1985, Loch Arthur began making cheese from the milk Taken from the Scottish Rural of the company’s two Jersey and two Awards 2017 Publication Ayrshire cows, aiming to revitalise the lost tradition of cheese making in south west Scotland.
A practitioner at work
A Diploma Course for Health Care Professionals. Following the very successful completion of the first ‘Anthroposophic Health Care’ Course at Emerson College we are now accepting applications for a new intake in 2017. This part-time portfolio-based modular course provides an inspiring and professional training in health care for those who wish to deepen and extend their role as caregiver.
The aim of this course is to enable health care professionals wishing to extend their skills and understanding within an anthroposophic context to be able to offer a range of competencies appropriate It may be taken as either a Self-Regulated to their professional setting and scope Qualification (SRQ) at Level 4, accredited of practice on graduation. It also hopes by Crossfields Institute or, if spaces are to contribute to the discussion and available, as Continuing Professional exploration of current issues in health Development (CPD). This SRQ is care and nursing as they are experienced internationally recognised and we welcome both personally and professionally. applicants from the UK and abroad. It is also validated by the International Forum Our methodology includes artistic, for Anthroposophic Nursing (FAN). conceptual, observational, discursive, self-reflective and practical work. The accredited course is open to Health Care Professionals who are registered Core basic principles in anthroposophic with and regulated by a professional body. theory are grounded in practice and Suitable professional backgrounds may discovery through an integrative and include but are not limited to Nursing interactive hands-on approach. (general or specialities), Midwifery, Complementary Medicine, Curative The core skill of Rhythmical Einreibung, Education and Social Therapy, Psychology a light rhythmical form of massage, and to CAHSC Registered Therapists who is taught along with a comprehensive are qualified at Level 4 or above. introduction to a variety of therapeutic substances and their uses in external Equivalences can be established at the applications. An in-depth process of discretion of the interviewers if provided psycho-spiritual reflective practice is with evidence of alternative qualifications integral to and facilitated throughout or certificates. the programme. For those who are not qualified or registered as a Health Care Professional but are interested in doing this course admission will be entirely at the discretion of the course directors. Students from this category will receive a Certificate of Attendance on completion of the course instead of the Self-Regulated Qualification. This will not qualify them to practice professionally as anthroposophic health care professionals. Frances Tag
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There may be a limited number of places for those who wish to do the course but do not want to complete a portfolio. In such cases full attendance is required and a Certificate of Attendance would be given instead of the SRQ.
For further details please contact Emerson College, Hartfield Road , Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JX, England Tel: +44 (0)1342 822238 Email: registrar@emerson.org.uk www.emerson.org.uk/courses Course Dates: Introductory Module: 12th - 17th June 2017 16th - 20th October 2017 Foundation Programme: 12th - 16th February 2018 11th - 15th June 2018 14th - 18th October 2018 Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
BOOK REVIEW... Community Care and Inclusion for People with an Intellectual Disability Edited by Robin Jackson and Maria Lyons Floris Books 2016
This new democracy might well follow the lead of the government of Bhutan that made the decision to measure national success not by economic output but by how happy its citizens are, a new paradigm that was then The fact that places for people with adopted by the founders of the learning disabilities in intentional Peaceful Bamboo Village, a Camphill supportive communities remain in great demand only goes to show the gap initiative in Vietnam. ISBN-13: 978-1782503330 between prevailing political principles 256 pages, £25.00rrp We come across ‘Baron’s Paradox’ and the reality of the lived experience. which is the observation made by Jane Baron that the people who most These essays are relevant to a wide This is a book that does not shy need to have their stories told are group of people but obviously have away from engaging with contentious often those least able to tell them. a particular relevance to co-workers social issues. The assertion of this chapter is that in Camphill communities who have because society creates its moral recognised that, in order to counter the All three terms of the book’s title principles from the stories that it hears, prevailing ideological aversion to what ‘community’, ‘care’ and ‘inclusion’ - are it is crucial that it hears the stories is termed segregation and ‘congregate highly contested terms and the authors from its most vulnerable members. whose essays feature in this book, each care’, they need to make the positive case for an intentional supportive in their own way and from their own There is a consideration of both community as a setting for social care. perspective, throw themselves into the virtual communities and of virtuous debate surrounding social care. communities, both of which challenge A review like this cannot do justice to us to enact new forms of relationships the diversity of views and insights in Without a doubt the book has a point between the person with disabilities and this collection of essays so I will just to make and the point is to promote the person without. Indeed, much of give a few examples of the themes to be a re-assessment of the social care the thinking in this book challenges us found in the book. policy that has, to a large extent, been to see the person with disabilities as an monopolised by political ideology agent for social change. The reader will find various narratives and dogma. The essays look at how concerning the history of how society the person with learning disabilities As one of the authors writes, in the has responded to people with learning has been excluded and isolated from context of New Zealand “if we are disabilities from Roman times through society and point to the changes that to ever approximate the New Zealand the Industrial Revolution and up to the are needed in our society, our culture, Disability Strategy’s vision of a more present day. our economy and in our political inclusive society it will be transacted by deliberations, to remedy this. disabled people who pull non-disabled I especially appreciated coming across New Zealanders across the bright line of for the first time the term ‘intentional This book tackles the fundamental social distance and into the inner circle of supportive community’. Here is questions about how society relates shared lives.” a term that both recognises the to its more vulnerable members. connection between Camphill and If there is one common theme that This is a most stimulating collection of the wider movement of intentional emerges it is that an intentional essays. It is pertinent, informative and communities and yet also defines the supportive community offers the kind affirmative. It also places the everyday unique characteristic of intentional of personal and social relationships practices of Camphill communities communities such as Camphill, Garvald that are recognised as being so integral across the world into a broader context and L’Arche. to self-esteem, a sense of belonging and might encourage people to become and well-being. more aware of the context and more From the realm of social psychology active in the debate. and neuroscience, we come across the In making this case the essays in this concept of ‘homophily’ the theory that collection provide a wide range of Andrew Plant perspectives. We hear about experiences people tend to want to be with others similar to themselves. We also come in Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, across the Dunbar Number and the Australia, the USA, China, Bhutan and ‘social brain hypothesis’ - which Vietnam. We also hear from a wide is that our personal social networks range of authors, both academics are determined by how effectively and practitioners. At least 6 of the 15 our brain can deal with reciprocal chapters have been written by people and meaningful relationships. who have a deep understanding of Camphill communities. We learn that through distancing ourselves from people with disabilities This book is very timely. Social and political thinking about the three terms - a process known as ‘Othering’ - we distance ourselves from our own failings ‘community’, ‘care’ and ‘inclusion’ and disabilities. have seemed to swing from one side to the other during the course of our social history - from natural inclusion in families and in society, to rejection, segregation and institutionalisation and more recently to ‘normalisation’ and ‘inclusion’ in ‘the community’.
www.camphill.org.uk
There are signs that perhaps another swing is about to take place as the less beneficial realties of ‘care in the community’ become more apparent.
The bold claim is made that the Camphill Movement is “a laboratory for a new democracy” which would include the universal basic income. Other authors make the case for the recognition of the universal right to be engaged in meaningful work.
A WALK IN THE HIGHLANDS Linda Cracknell joined Corbenic Community for a hill walk... Mid November and the forecast for our walk was bad enough that I wondered if we would still go. After the previous day of high winds and sleet, it was now to be steady precipitation and no more than 2˚C or 3˚C. But as we gathered around the minibus at the Corbenic Community in slight drizzle, no one raised the question. Curtains of cloud hung just below 1,000 feet, and were pulled open occasionally to show the surrounding hills marked with the low boundary of new snow. This was my first outing with Corbenic’s hill-walking group, a weekly event for at least a quarter of the 38 residents and a number of staff and volunteers who support them. I was soon to learn that absolutely nothing diverts the sacrosanct routine of this initiative, now established for two years. Of course we were going! Corbenic is a Camphill Community in Strath Braan for adults with learning difficulties. There’s a small farm on which the land and animals are tended with low levels of mechanisation. Creative activity is prioritised through music, stories and the crafting of things; loaves of bread, pottery, furniture and candles, all sold in their shop and café in Dunkeld, four miles away. Each household on the site is home for up to six adults with learning disabilities, two house co-ordinators and five coworkers who come from all over the world, contributing a further sense of diversity and mix of tradition. On my occasional visits I’ve always been struck by the calm and creative atmosphere in the timber-built workshops where kitchenware is decorated or furniture constructed. There is no doubt that this is a special place in a beautiful setting. The creativity has recently been turned outwards to the world by the establishment in 2014 of a 5 km poetry path around the edge of the 100 acre estate. The poetry path was the brainchild of Jon Plunkett, a poet himself, and Stonecarver Martin Reilly. Jon also instigated the hill-walking group, following on from the popularity of a similar initiative developed in his previous position in West Lothian. Read the full article: https://www. walkhighlands.co.uk/news/acommunity-that-takes-to-the-hills/ 0015694/ 17
A LETTER FROM CARMARTHENSHIRE, CAMPHILL IN SOUTH WEST WALES My name is Hannah Joy Curtis I am 39 years old, I am going to have my 40th birthday on August 6th. I was born in 1977. I have been living in Glasallt Fawr since August 16th 2001. I have lived in every house on every floor with house mother and father when it was run by co-workers. I am one of the longest staying residents. The work shops I do at the moment are weaving with David Stirrup, farming with James McGregor, gardening led by Richard Noris McClain and drama with Helen Adams - she does singing lessons too. All of the workshop leaders are really nice. David Stirrup does art & craft as well. There is another David that does maintenance - fixing broken things in all the houses and offices on site.
“ I love my life at Glasallt and the workshops that I do.” In my house I live with 3 boys, I am the only girl living there. There are two coworkers from the Philippines, Chris and Jane. Sian, has been my manager since 2008, but she arrived in Glasallt to work in 2007. My key-worker April, started in 2008, but was a support worker in Noddfa Ioan in 2007. Other staff are, Rhiannon who came in 2014, Suzie who came in 2015, Jasmine who also came in 2015, Paul who arrived in 2010 and Jenna who began in 2011. My hobbies are the gateway and discocise for charity, swimming, shopping, pub night, church, sport night, cinema and nail art by staff. We shop in Carmarthen and Ammanford and we swim in Ammanford or Llandovery pool. I go to the Llandovery YMCA to do Learning Direct PowerPoint Level 2 . I belong to the Towy Creations Art & Craft group run by Vivian, Philip and Sue Magill.
Steven Margin runs the YMCA on Friday mornings, I go there for Art on Wednesday mornings. I go to Bike Ability once a month on a Friday morning. I enjoy this as I get to ride different trikes. I attend Total Communication meetings four times a year, where I do auditing in different residential homes and day centres. I ensure that people that cannot read words or speak use signing to express their opinions. I also teach sing-along to staff in care homes and day centres. I have been to Cardiff University twice to give a presentation and class to students studying social work.
Farmhouse where I live
I consider myself a practicing Christian. I did a reading in church from the bible in February this year and have more in June and November in Llandovery Church on a Sunday. I also give a reading in Glasallt Fawr’s gathering in the hall and bible supper. In Farmhouse the boys and I say grace before meals then say thank you for the meal once we have finished eating. In 2001 when I first came here, I had a house mother and father called Maria and Bert and two girls Sabrina and Sara. We all lived in west flat of Noddfa Ioan. I lived with a co-worker called Ericka from Hungary and I had a girls flat.
Enjoying my workshops
I first started here on Tuesday 16th August 2001 and I remember it very well. There is a new house being built at Glasallt and it is going to be a special place to live. I am happy in Farmhouse with my friends that live with me. I get better on with boys rather than girls because they are good company for me. Thank you for reading my article. Hannah Joy Mary Curtis, Resident With my house mates
ADULT SOCIAL CARE REPORT REFERS TO INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY VILLAGE A Select Committee for The Communities and Local Government Department published its Report on Adult Social Care in March.
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It is a wide ranging document reflecting huge submissions from interested parties in this vitally important area of social concern. Among those submissions came many concerned with the future of Botton Village.
You can read what was said on Page 60 where alternative care situations like Shared Lives are mentioned. You can download the publication from https://www.publications. parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/ cmselect/cmcomloc/1103/1103.pdf
House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee
Adult social care Ninth Report of Session 2016–17 Report, together with formal minutes relating to the report Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 27 March 2017
HC 1103
Published on 31 March 2017 by authority of the House of Commons
Working Together | Spring/Summer 2017
DREAMS AND HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR MOVEMENT
An inclusive one day conference with Community members of The Mount Camphill Community, Pericles and Nutley Hall facilitated by Dorota Owen from Findhorn Community and the Global Eco-Village Network.
“ Gratitude and Contentment are the greatest workers of miracles. They transform water into wine, grains of sand into pearls, raindrops into balsam, poverty into wealth, the smallest into the greatest, the most common to the most noble, earth into paradise”. Kaspar Hauser
A large number of people from many parts of the UK and even from as far as Belgium gathered in Orchard House, the beautiful hall of Nutley Hall in East Sussex. Nutley is an ‘Independent Community’ for and with people with special needs. Raz Levy welcomed us to Nutley and then Paulamaria Blaxland de Lange, Chair of ACESTA (the Association for Care, Education and Social Therapy out of Anthroposophy) and the driving force behind this event, introduced us to Dorota Owen from Findhorn Community who had been asked to facilitate the day.
She described the community’s plans to start a co-housing project to enable the older students to get into work in an adult life sharing community. Kate Koenig described a similar project that she coordinates in Sturts Farm, a Camphill community for and with adults with special needs. Dorota said that also the Findhorn Community has two such projects going where people interested in community life come and join.
After a lovely lunch and a delightful performance of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ by the Pericles Theatre company, we sang another song as an introduction to the report from Nutley Hall.
Adrienne Thier, formerly on the ECCE board and who had come over for the day from Belgium, described ECCE’s work and spoke about the forthcoming inclusive world conference in Ekaterinenburg in Russia.
Raz and Susan described a community in constant evolution, where there are 90 people of whom 30 have special needs. Half of the support workers live in and there are five staff children. The adults are all involved in all aspects of life.
Richard Tucker gave a description of the work of the Ruskin Mills Trust, whose work with therapeutic education is growing and even spreading to California, as well as widening out to younger children and adults.
Paulamaria described some forthcoming ACESTA events: A conference on Social She wondered if the time had come for a Farming is being organised by the Social Co-housing Conference where people could Therapy Working Group (STAG) of the learn from each other instead of everyone of International Council for Curative Education inventing their own wheel. Susan described the cycle of the year and the and Social Therapy in Dornach together with ACESTA, to take place at Emerson College festivals, which she called a ‘golden thread’ These reports were followed by an exercise through which the community is blessed. 10th - 13th May 2017. in which we walked about and met different They have community Bible evenings and Apart from having lived in Findhorn for people to discuss two questions: ‘what did hold regular Offering Services, celebrate A Youth Festival for people who have given many years Dorota is also an ambassador I like in what I heard?’ and ‘what made me Advent and the Holy Nights, have common their time as volunteers in our places over for the Global Eco-Village Network, which nervous in what I heard?’ It was nice meals at Michaelmas and St John’s. the past 10 years will take place in July at comprises 55,000 communities all over to meet different people for a little chat The residents are carrying the place! Emerson College. It will be a low-cost affair the world. this way. (camping), with crafts, theatre, music etc. After this report two young Pericles students ACESTA is the only Association in the UK Some things people liked: co-housing is a spoke of their dreams and hopes. One of If you wish to be kept informed about and and Ireland of individuals working in Special positive step in development; learning to them said: ‘I am the future’ and ‘I want to find support this event please let us know. Care and Education out of anthroposophy. think outside the box. Some worries: fitting out who I am’. Email: elefevre01@gmail.com it into the legal system and getting around Paulamaria gave the image of Vidar’s shoe, existing structures; keeping the flame going. Two parents of a young Pericles man are Paulamaria also expressed her hopes for which had been fashioned out of the extra a positive future for ACESTA with a lot of researching legal forms for going forward, bits, the spare bits of leather, and which The morning was rounded off with a report as Paulamaria and Simon would now like to networking, associating and collaborating! will help Vidar to overcome the Fenris wolf. from Pericles, where they are also trying to step back from the management position. What we do out of anthroposophy in find new ways of working. They are looking Jack Reed thanked Paulamaria, Dorota, Special Care is like the extra bits which are into a new business model rather than the the Camphill Family and Friends and all Dorota then led us into another ‘milling’ free and which make our work unique. full Charity model. They have had positive exercise, meeting others and finding a little participants and contributors for this experiences with ‘Shared Lives Plus’ which group with whom to discuss our dreams successful day, and extended a warm After a song sung by all, Crystal Hayn has remained more free. and hopes for the future. ‘thank you’ to Nutley Hall for hosting introduced her report of The Mount and feeding us all! Community with the above quote by We heard a report from a young man from Kaspar Hauser. Pericles whose parents have helped him set Edeline LeFevre up a way via Direct Payments to obtain his own shared living place at Pericles. www.camphill.org.uk
Raz pointed out that if change needs to come they are willing to let it happen as long as it is not out of fear or having to comply.
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CONGRATULATIONS
STOP PRESS!
To Corbenic Camphill Community for The Poetry Path being short listed for Inclusion in The Perth and Kinross City of Culture Bid
Affiliate Membership of The Association of Camphill Communities granted at The Festival in Ireland to Alliance of Camphill Communities and Esk Valley Camphill Community. Welcome Aboard!
ESK VALLEY CAMPHILL
It’s all gone quiet, hasn’t it? Where are the noisy radicals of 2015?
THE BIRTH OF A NEW COMMUNITY
Negotiations are progressing towards a situation where some Botton households will leave the CVT operation and register with a local Shared Lives provider, the Avalon Group.
The answer is we’re still here (most of us) but we’re trying to focus more on creating a future. In April 2015 a group of us - co-workers and villagers founded the Botton Village Camphill Community Association.
All these properties are within the geographical skin of Botton Village and CVT Botton will remain a close neighbour with whom we hope to collaborate to our mutual advantage.
As part of this process, we have felt it necessary to re-christen our community and its association. Why? We already have a presence where Danby Dale, at the back of which Botton sits, meets the Esk Valley that runs eastward to the coast at Whitby. There we are running a health shop, have established a small garden, and have three rented households with, as yet, only co-worker residents. This development has resulted from the warmth, support and welcome extended to us by our wider local community over the last three years. This has prompted us to ‘lift up our eyes’ of focus from Botton’d dale head setting to integrate with the neighbouring villages and Whitby itself.
At the same time as we are exploring new possibilities, we are deliberately re-visiting the fundamental sources that inspired Camphill: the meditative reflections of its pioneers, the work of Rudolf Steiner, and the Christian message of the gospels. This year we will also be working with the Loch Arthur Community who have kindly agreed to act as our sponsors as we work towards full membership of the Association of Camphill Communities (UK & Ireland). It has been hard to let go of the name ‘Botton’. It is of course a name with a wonderful reputation but we are now part of a wider community beyond Danby Dale and we wish to acknowledge this and not confuse matters. Jonathan Reid
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