About our programmes of supported activities

The programmes combine care and creativity with the proven benefits of a connection with nature. Each programme offers a range of supported activities, helping people build confidence, develop life skills, and improve wellbeing. These activities take place in our social gardens, farms, woodland, kitchens, bakeries, cafes, shops, studios and workshops - connecting people to nature through the rhythm of the seasons.

As we care passionately about the benefits of connecting with nature for healthy lifestyles and nutrition, we offer opportunities to work with food, from field to fork - from growing and harvesting to processing and baking – right through to customer facing opportunities such as serving tasty, nutritious dishes to customers in our cafés or helping customers choose ingredients to use at home in our shops. 

What are the supported activities on offer?

Our seven programmes are:

• Supported Growing and Horticulture – such as planting seeds, growing vegetables, and harvesting produce
• Supported Animal Care and Husbandry – including feeding animals, grooming, and egg collecting
• Supported Countryside Management – helping maintain woodlands, paths, and green spaces
• Supported Nature-based Arts and Crafts – like weaving, pottery, woodwork and creating unique art pieces working with natural materials
• Supported Creative Arts for Wellbeing – all things performance inspired by the natural world, including music, drama, and seasonal celebrations
• Supported Catering, Food Preparation and Processing – from baking and jam-making to preparing dishes for customers in our cafes
• Supported Retail and Customer Service – supported roles in our shops, serving customers front-of-house in our cafés and visitor centres, selling the things we produce at events inside and outside our communties

Each activity within our programmes supports the development of practical skills, confidence, and emotional wellbeing, while helping people feel more connected to others and to the natural world.

The proven benefits of nature

Why are our supported activities nature-based and nature-inspired? The evidence is clear: nature supports better health, wellbeing, and life outcomes, particularly for adults with learning disabilities and autism, and for people facing mental health problems.

The Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing report shows that 8,339 people with mental health problems participated in nature-based activities through seven pilot projects. This initiative reached a diverse group, including children, young people, ethnic minorities (21%), and people from deprived areas (57%). Participants experienced significant improvements in wellbeing across all measured areas, demonstrating the positive impact nature-focused activities have on people with a mental health problem.

"These participants experienced improved wellbeing when accessing nature-based activities, indicating that GSP (green social prescribing) can have a positive impact."

Meaningful nature-based activities help people with learning and other disabilities as well as mental health problems.

Long term impact

Through our provision of Nature-based Therapies and Skills Programmes, Camphill Village Trust contributes to the health, wellbeing and independence of people with a learning disability both at individual and community level, resulting in:  

“More people with learning and other disabilities having the opportunity and autonomy to live a more healthy, active and independent life.” 

Through our integrated social care and nature-based approach, we can provide a solution for the wider public health, NHS and social care sectors in the UK.