our stories

How true co-production is shaping the future of social care at Camphill Village Trust. At Camphill Village Trust, we know that innovation in social care doesn’t come from the top down; it grows from within our communities. It starts with listening. It’s rooted in relationships. And it’s brought to life through co-production. Co-production is innovation […]

We were delighted to take part in a recent art exhibition at Holyrood House in Thirsk, where people we support in our Croft Community proudly showcased their artwork. The exhibition is a celebration of nature, creativity, and personal expression – with each piece reflecting how the seasons and natural world inspire our artists and the […]

Building connections, creating purpose Shared Lives Week is a chance to celebrate an incredible scheme that’s changing lives across the country, including right here at Camphill Village Trust. What is Shared Lives? Shared Lives is a unique type of support where adults with learning disabilities, autism or other support needs are carefully matched with a […]

People with learning disabilities are rarely seen by employers – it’s time to change that. As Learning Disability Week draws to a close, we’re reflecting on this year’s powerful theme: “Do you see me?”, a question that speaks to visibility, value, and inclusion. Nowhere is this more relevant than in employment. Too often, people with […]

Why Learning Disability Week matters to us This year’s Learning Disability Week theme, Do You See Me?, encourages all of us to stop and reflect. It’s a question that goes beyond awareness; it’s about recognition, value, and inclusion. It challenges us not just to see people with learning disabilities, but to listen, involve, and include […]

Celebrating sustainable living and environmental care at Camphill Village Trust At Camphill Village Trust, we believe that caring for people goes hand-in-hand with caring for the planet. Our communities offer more than support – they offer connection, purpose, and opportunities to engage meaningfully with nature. We want to be leaders of the Green Care future […]

You might remember Katie’s inspiring journey last July, when she reflected on her college work placement experience with the Shared Lives team. Now, she’s reaching new heights—this time on a national stage!  Earlier this year, Shared Lives Plus, (Shared Lives national membership organisation), launched a campaign to recruit Ambassadors for the Shared Lives Care Leavers programme. […]

Taking on a 7-mile challenge At Camphill Village Trust, we celebrate every achievement, big and small. For Daniel, a member of our Larchfield Community, a 7-mile walk through Great Ayton and Roseberry Topping marks an incredible personal milestone. It’s not just about the distance, it’s about confidence, independence, and overcoming barriers. Daniel’s journey has involved […]

The power of community Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week offers us all a chance to reflect on the importance of our mental wellbeing, raise awareness about mental health issues, and explore how we can support one another to thrive. Organised by the Mental Health Foundation, the week takes place in May and shines a […]

A greener future for our fields We’re excited to share that we’ve officially started work on our three-year Sustainable Farming Incentive grant – and the journey begins beneath our feet. As part of this important land management project, we’re developing a Soil Management Plan for all the fields at Botton Village and Larchfield, two of […]

This World Art Day, we’re shining a light on the remarkable creativity of the adults we support. From vibrant collages to textured figurines and imaginative clay sculptures, every piece of artwork tells a story of expression, connection, and care. Art and creativity play a central role in our Green Care programme’s approach—a unique part of […]

We’re thrilled to announce the return of Botton Milk – fresh, local, and full of purpose. For many years, the cows at Botton Village, one of our founding Camphill Village Trust communities, provided milk for the site – a cherished tradition that paused just before the Covid-19 pandemic. But now, we’re bringing it back, and […]

At Camphill Village Trust, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to live a life of opportunity. Through meaningful work, social connection, and person-centred support, we empower people with autism to develop their skills, explore their passions, and build fulfilling lives. This Autism Acceptance Month, we’re sharing the stories of people within our communities who […]

At Camphill Village Trust we believe that women with learning disabilities have the same right as anyone else to a positive and well-supported menopause journey. However, they often face additional barriers, including inaccessible healthcare, a lack of tailored information, and the assumption that menopause affects them differently—or not at all. Many healthcare professionals overlook their […]

How we are protecting Biodiversity at Camphill Village Trust Today is World Wildlife Day and it is a time to celebrate and raise awareness of the incredible biodiversity that sustains life on our planet. At Camphill Village Trust, nature is at the heart of our communities. We spoke to our Head of the Natural Environment, […]

We were honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Taurus Crafts, our visitor and education centre in Lydney, this week to celebrate a double anniversary. At Camphill Village Trust we are celebrating our 70th anniversary, and this year also marks the 30th anniversary of Taurus Crafts. HRH The Princess Royal toured the many facilities […]

Recently, Katie from Camphill Village Trust Shared Lives, in partnership with Dudley Voices for Choice, organised a fantastic bowling day for the people we support. Thanks to a government grant, the event took place at Merry Hill, a location accessible for everyone. The day was a huge success, with a great turnout and a wonderful […]

Celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Camphill Village Trust are continuing. Our communities have been coming together to raise vital funds through unique and inspiring events like the Herts 70th Challenge Walk. Last week, members of our St Albans and Delrow communities came together for the Herts 70th Challenge Walk. The event was a wonderful […]

We’re delighted that Middlesbrough Food Partnership has featured our Larchfield Community in their latest newsletter! The newsletter article highlights how our connection to nature is central to everything we do, from growing fresh, organic vegetables to crafting homemade apple juice, composting food waste from our cafe and homes and collecting farm-fresh eggs. This is Green […]

2024 was a special year for Camphill Village Trust. We marked our 70th anniversary, launched our Green Care programme, and celebrated many achievements across our wonderful communities. 70th anniversary This year, Camphill Village Trust began celebrating 70 years of creating communities with a series of extraordinary events and celebrations. From the inspiring Mount Kilimanjaro challenge, […]

Revitalising Oaklands Park At Camphill Village Trust, collaboration and shared effort often lead to incredible results. In November, our Property and Land Services (PALs) team rolled up their sleeves at our Oaklands Park community to begin an exciting project – restoring the garden to its former glory. The goal? To create more space for our […]

This UK Charity Week, we’re celebrating the amazing impact that donations, volunteering, and community spirit have on the lives of people at Camphill Village Trust. Every contribution helps the people we support learn, grow, and achieve their potential within our supportive, inclusive communities. What is UK Charity Week? UK Charity Week shines a spotlight on […]

Our Winter Appeal stories: Your support changes lives At Camphill Village Trust, we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home, a space where they feel safe, valued, and supported to live their best lives. Thanks to our wonderful supporters, we continue to create opportunities and nurturing environments for adults with learning disabilities, autism, […]

A day to remember at our Delrow community Yesterday, we marked a milestone in our journey as Camphill Village Trust celebrated its 70th anniversary in true style. The festivities, held in the vibrant surroundings of our Delrow Community, brought together over 100 supporters, family members, staff, and the people we support. It was a day […]

Working in Partnership Safeguarding Week is a time for Trusts like ours to reflect on the importance of creating environments where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered. At Camphill Village Trust, safeguarding is more than just a police, it’s a fundamental part of how we work together every day to support and protect each other. […]

Celebrating 70 Years of Camphill Village Trust This year, we’re proudly celebrating seven decades of Camphill Village Trust. Over these years, we’ve seen our communities flourish, and our mission grow. Here are five unique and little-known facts about the Trust’s remarkable history: 1. The Birthplace of Jenga: Believe it or not, Jenga has its origins […]

As Climate and Social Care Reach Breaking Point, Charity Leader Says Green Care Innovation is the Future A learning disability charity boss who leads a coalition of voluntary groups delivering environmentally friendly services is urging the Government to embrace Green Care. Sara Thakkar, Chief Executive of Camphill Village Trust, which is marking its 70th anniversary […]

A Journey of Community, Creativity, and Care This year is a big one for Camphill Village Trust as we celebrate 70 years of community, creativity, and care. From our small beginnings in Scotland, where Dr. Karl König started the first Camphill community, to the lively and diverse communities we have today, this jubilee is a […]

Meet Katie Katie has lived with her Shared Lives Carer, John and his wife Jane, for around 16 years and has been a part of our Shared Lives scheme for a couple of years now. Katie recently joined us for a work placement as part of her college course. Katie was supported by Cathy Dale, […]

Stories of love, support, and achievement As we celebrate Shared Lives Week from June 24 to June 28, 2024, we’re excited to share heartwarming stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed through the Camphill Village Trust Shared Lives. These stories show the close relationships, successes, and positive impacts created by our Shared Lives Carers […]

At Camphill Village Trust, we believe in the transformative power of nature to support adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems. Ashfield Gardens in Stourbridge is a testament to this belief, providing a nurturing environment where individuals can grow and learn. Jenny, our dedicated Garden Manager, shares her insights on the vital role […]

Read our easy read guide to voting Easy read voting guide Get ready to vote At Camphill Village Trust, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to participate in shaping our communities and society. That’s why we have created an easy-read guide to voting. Our guide makes voting clear and accessible so you can confidently […]

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 As we mark nearly 70 years of supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health challenges, Camphill Village Trust would like to help spread awareness for Mental Health Awareness Week. This year’s theme, “Movement: moving for our mental health,” resonates deeply with our mission to enhance the wellbeing of […]

Let’s hear from the experts And who better to answer this question than the experts themselves? Camphill Village Trust Shared Lives Scheme spent a day with a group of willing volunteers and here is what they said… Thursday 2nd May 2024 marked a day of local elections across the country. An opportunity for local residents […]

Embracing Diversity and Thriving Together  This April we shared with the world Autism Acceptance Week, a time to promote awareness, acceptance, and understanding of autism spectrum disorders. At Camphill Village Trust, we believe in celebrating the uniqueness of each individual and nurturing an environment of inclusivity and support. Let’s discuss what autism is, how it […]

Congratulations Class of 2023! On behalf of Camphill Village Trust, we are delighted to announce the graduation of the first cohort of Severnside Skills trainees on Wednesday 3rd April 2024. Joined by friends, family, Trust staff and other partner organisations, the ten graduates chose to mark the occasion with an afternoon tea accompanied by a […]

A life of opportunity At Camphill Village Trust, we believe in empowering individuals to live a life of opportunity, grow, develop, and gain confidence in their lives, and this is our message for the month. This message resonates following the recent Neurodiversity Week and World Down Syndrome Day, which focused on challenging stereotypes and ending […]

Shared Lives Colleen and her husband Malcom have worked as foster carers and Shared Lives Carers for many years, and in 2020, Shane moved in full-time with Colleen and her husband Malcom, following twenty-five years of respite with the family. Later in 2021, Aaron joined Shane for a short-term respite stay, and decided he liked […]

Shared Lives With almost 40 years under their belt as Shared Lives Carers, Lynne and Ian neatly sum up the ethos of the model with family at its heart! The couple have supported three gentlemen, whilst bringing up their own children – all whom have never known anything different than to share their home with others. An […]

Social Care workers event In a show of appreciation, the Minister of State for Social Care, Helen Whately, hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street on August 17, 2023. This event was all about recognizing and praising adult social care workers from all over the country for their amazing contributions. People from different areas of […]

Board of Trustees Our Board of Trustees act in the Charity’s best interests, set the Camphill Village Trust Strategy, make important decisions and oversee the running of our Charity. Rita Asamoah brings an impressive wealth of experience with over two decades of senior management expertise in the Health and Social Care sector. Her skills in […]

Botton Village Karate Club Update Due to the new grading system introduced in January, the Botton Village Karate Club has continued to bolster its ranks and grow its members through its revised Kyu system introduced by Sensei Chris and Sensei Ian. Following traditional training methods, the club is proud to take on students of variant […]

Local communities Knowing that lockdown had been particularly hard for older people, Olivia and her fellow Kindness Crew members at our St Albans and Delrow Communities were keen to reach out. For the last two years the Kindness Crew have been serving refreshments and running quizzes and craft activities at their local branch of Age […]

Dragons’ Dell Community members have been coming up with ways to help the environment and pitching their green ideas to the Dragons’ Dell.  The Co-production team have been working across all our communities since last autumn to come up with ways to make our communities greener. The best ideas from each community were then pitched […]

Co-production week From 3 to 10 July we celebrate Co-production Week. We asked Phil Gibson, our Co-production Lead, to tell us more about co-production. I am often intrigued by the question ‘How are you today’? Sometimes, I ask it as an easy conversation starter, expecting the response to be an affirmation that we are all […]