Independence looks different for everyone, but at its heart, it’s about choice.

The choice to shape the life you want. The choice of who you share your life with, how you live each day, the support you receive and the opportunities you pursue.

At Camphill Village Trust, the people we support make these choices, shaping both their own lives but also the life of their communities. We work alongside each person to nurture independence, build confidence, and create an environment where they can thrive, in ways that are as individual as they are.

For some, that means the reassurance of round‑the‑clock support in a shared home with peers. For others, it’s the freedom of their own flat, or the family feeling of living with a Shared Lives carer. Whatever lifestyle our community members choose, as their needs and ambitions change, their home and support change with them.

Hollie Fletcher, Stourbridge Regional Manager, explains: “When people move into our communities, whatever stage of life they are at, we have a home and support here for them. And we give them the encouragement that, whatever they want to achieve, we’re going to work with them to get them there”...

• This case study is part of our environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) statement. Learn more about the project here. 

Karen and Andrew are members of our Stourbridge community, whose story sums up the way the Trust support people to live the lives they choose as they evolve. After Andrew moved in and met Karen, the pair began dating and became engaged. “I’ve always wanted to get married,” said Andrew. “But I needed to find the right person and, luckily, Karen is the right person. I couldn’t be happier.”

Hollie and her team had conversations about their living arrangements, as Karen and Andrew wanted to live together after they got married. Because neither the single-occupancy flats nor shared houses were right for them, the team helped them to settle into a bungalow that had been recently renovated out in the wider community, where they could be together.

“It's lovely and peaceful,” said Andrew. “You cannot hear much outside noise and you just got the peace and tranquillity. I really, really love it.”

Since moving in together, Karen now lives fully independently. Andrew continues to receive support but has achieved greater independence, something he is very proud of: “It makes me feel more grown-up. The support workers are there to give advice, but more often than not we can make our own decisions,” he said.

“I've got a very busy life. I go to the theatre, I go bowling, go out for meals. I actually went to the cinema twice yesterday,” said Andrew. He’s also been able to start working as a presenter of a radio show at Black Country Community Radio: “I’m getting a lot of positive feedback from my friends and I’ve got somebody who said they’re listening in France!”

Sophie moved to Camphill Village Trust after living in shared, supported accommodation with “all boys”. In our Stourbridge Community, she now lives in an all female home, and describes her living situation as “very happy”.

Sophie has a very busy weekly schedule, and now undertakes lots of different activities independently, from popping to get her nails done to volunteering with the local Girl Guides. Recently, Sophie got engaged. The proposal happened at our Norton Road Hub, complete with a community celebration! She and her fiancé have enjoyed a holiday to Turkey, which involved Sophie’s very first trip on an aeroplane.

Independence is something which matters a great deal to Sophie. Together with her support worker, Sophie plans her days, deciding what to do and when to make use of the support she receives. “It helps you to be more freedom. Like, you don't really want somebody telling you what to do, and it's just not healthy”, she explained.