WORK IS an important part of adult life. It brings dignity and a sense of self-worth; it provides avenues for training; it develops responsibility and social skills.
Work is something that helps define who we are. We say "I'm a farmer" or "I'm a baker" or "I'm a weaver" or "I work in a cafe". These are just some of the occupations followed by people with special needs who are part of our Camphill Village Trust communities, because while most adults with learning disabilities find it impossible to get a job, we support all of our community members in their daily work.
Everyone who has chosen to make their home at our 11 communities, or joins us on a day placement, has work unless age or health considerations dictate otherwise. That's because we believe in the importance of work in bringing dignity to people's live. To make it happen, we provide the kind of support that each individual needs to take part in work activities.
Award winners
As a result, each community member contributes whatever he or she can to the working life of our communities, helping to provide products and services of value to others. The quality of the output of our farms, gardens, bakeries and creameries is frequently recognised in the annual Organic Food Awards. Cheese connoisseurs will tell you that produce from our Loch Arthur creamery is among the best available, and the creamery team has plenty of awards to prove it. Celebrity chef Rick Stein lists the team at our Newton Dee bakery among his ‘food heroes'. Craft goods from our communities are exported all over the world by Camphill Products. Our cafes provide quality food enjoyed by the public and our organic food stores are generally the best in their areas.
At all of our centres, the positive value of work in the lives of people of all abilities is clear to see. It gives purpose to daily life, brings achievement and recognition, and provides social interaction.
‘Service user' isn't a term that features in our language. Being involved in work means everyone is a service provider!
See for yourself by visiting some of our workplaces in this picture gallery.