Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire

Overview of Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire

Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire brings together seven Camphill charities in Bieldside, Milltimber, Peterculter, Banchory Devenick and Arbuthnott. Together these communities create environments which work to develop the potential of some 250 children, young people and adults with special needs. 

They come to Camphill from a range of backgrounds. Most are referred by health and care professionals and the majority of places are funded by local authorities.  

In all, almost 700 people live and work in the communities of Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire. Camphill communities are well integrated into the wider community and are one of the largest employers in the Lower Deeside area.

Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire communities are at the heart of the worldwide Camphill Movement which is dedicated to creating communities that offer supported living, education and meaningful work opportunities within a therapeutic environment for children, young people and adults who have special needs.

From the original Camphill campus in the Milltimber area of Aberdeen, the Camphill Movement now extends to more than a hundred centres across 23 countries. Camphill communities around the world look to the movement’s birthplace and draw inspiration from Aberdeen. 

The six Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire communities are: 

• Camphill School Aberdeen has specialised facilities for around a hundred children and young adults on three campuses – Camphill in Milltimber, and Murtle and Cairnlee in Bieldside. The schools hold the Autism Accreditation which recognises the standard of provision for individuals with autistic spectrum disorders. Amber Kindergarten, at Murtle, provides integrated nursery education for children with and without additional support needs. The kindergarten has a partnership agreement with Aberdeen City Council. 
• Newton Dee Community, in Bieldside, offers a variety of supported living and work opportunities for around 100 adults with special needs. 
• Beannachar, in Banchory Devenick, is a community dedicated to offering training opportunities for more than 30 young adults with special needs. 
• Simeon Care, in Bieldside, is dedicated to care for the elderly. 
• Tigh a’Chomainn, in Peterculter, is home to independent young adults with special needs. 
• Milltown in Arbuthnott, near Laurencekirk, offers home and work opportunities for more than 20 adults who have special needs. 

Also located on the Murtle campus is the Camphill Medical Practice. In addition to its special needs’ expertise, Camphill Medical Practice is a general practice providing the full range of NHS services to the local community. Complementary and conventional medicine are integrated to provide the best healthcare option for each individual patient.

In 2006 Camphill Medical Practice was presented with Royal College of General Practitioner’s Quality Practice Award (QPA) recognising ‘an excellent standard of care and service’. 

The Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire communities are significant contributors to the economy of Aberdeen City and Shire. They are also one of the largest employers in the Lower Deeside area of Aberdeen, with more than 250 working in the five communities and the Camphill Medical Practice. 

The Camphill communities have a partnership agreement with the University of Aberdeen to deliver the four-year BA programme in Curative Education. The BA in Curative Education is a recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council as a professional qualification for residential care work.

Camphill communities recognise that every individual, regardless of their difficulties, has something to contribute to the life of their community. By encouraging a positive attitude of self worth, while giving the right level of support, Camphill encourages children, young people and adults with special needs to achieve their potential. 

Camphill has a broad outlook on life and all are encouraged to participate in the cultural, spiritual and social life of their own communities and also the wider community in Aberdeen City and Shire.

While there are a significant number of day places and opportunities for independent supported living, many pupils and residents live alongside the co-workers and their families in family settings. In the adult and young adult communities, a variety of workshops and work areas provide meaningful and fulfilling work. Some attend work or college outside the communities. 

Co-workers who live in Camphill communities regard their work not as a job, but as a way of life. The majority are not paid directly, but their needs are met from the resources of the community. 

As expected in an international organisation the people living and working in the Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire communities represent many nationalities. Young people, from the UK and around the world, are attracted to Aberdeen to serve as short-term co-workers and share in the life of the communities. 

The communities in Camphill Aberdeen City and Shire are independent charitable organisations. The running costs of the communities are funded by a number of means:

• Individual fees or benefits from central and local government sources.
• The sale of produce, craft items and services from the adult communities.
• A Friends group Charity Shop
• Individual and corporate donations.
   

Media enquiries

Ken McEwen at Ken McEwen Public Relations

Telephone +44 (0)1467 633667

ken@kenmcewen.co.uk

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