ANYONE with learning disabilities, mental health problems or other special needs who wishes to join a Camphill Village Trust community should apply directly to the community where they wish to live. There is no central waiting list or application system although the process for joining a community is similar for all.
The first step is to contact the Camphill Advisory Service. This contact can be made by the person seeking to join a community, parent, guardian or other close relative or friend, or a social worker. The Advisory Service can suggest which communities may be most suitable for the applicant and help arrange an initial visit to a community for a general discussion about Camphill and to see the way of life at our communities. Anyone can also visit on community open days and many of our communities have a cafe, organic shop or other facility serving the public.
It is advisable to talk to Social Services at an early stage when considering making an application. To go ahead with an application, contact the chosen Camphill community and request its application procedure. This document will include information about eligibility.
A written application should then be made which usually requires information from the applicant's social worker.
The application procedure normally includes an initial visit to the community, an interview which will include a discussion about funding, and a working visit of about two weeks to see whether the community can meet the applicant's support needs and how well the applicant will fit in with other community members. At the end of that visit the community and the applicant will decide whether it is appropriate to join the community or its waiting list. The application procedure may also include an interview with the Camphill medical adviser.
Choosing to accept an offer to join a Camphill community includes understanding, wishing to be involved and making an active committment to the mutually-supportive lifestyle that is followed by our communities. We live according to Christian ideals and we welcome people of any persuasion who respect this aspect of our community life.
When an offer to join a community is made to an applicant on the waiting list, the timing of that offer is determined by the applicant's personal situation and the type of place available. New community members may need to fit in with others in a shared house or flat, so we cannot use a first-come, first-served system. An available place must be suited to the individual's personality and support needs.
Normally a three-month review determines how community life suits the new member and whether the community is successfully meeting his or her support needs. Camphill communities cannot guarantee a place for life. Each individual's needs and aims in life change over time, and their wish to continue living at a Camphill community can also change. Through our person-centred approach, we always try to help each individual achieve a fulfilling life, whether at a Camphill community or elsewhere.
Although some 500 people with special needs have chosen to make their homes with our Camphill Village Trust communities in England and Scotland, the number of vacancies available annually are only 15 to 20. Our communities cannot normally offer an urgent placement, although there may be exceptions.
To find out more about each of our 11 communities and for contact details, go to the cvt communities section of this site.