“A Wonderful Place” – Tributes paid to Camphill

Volunteers’ Week is a National annual celebration of all that volunteers do to support charities across the UK.  Camphill has been welcoming volunteers who come to live in a community for up to a year from across the world since its founding days over 80 years ago.   

 Camphill Scotland’s Director, Emma Walker said: 

We are always glad of an opportunity to celebrate those who volunteer with our members, as they play a much-valued role in Camphill communities across Scotland. 

As well as providing opportunities for young volunteers to experience life in Scotland, Camphill also values its relationships with local volunteers and corporate volunteers.   

We are delighted that so many MSPs took the time to visit communities during Volunteers’ Week, to recognise the important contribution our volunteers make to life in Camphill.  

Camphill Tiphereth – Going the extra mile

Miles Briggs MSP made a visit to Camphill Tiphereth during Volunteers’ Week, to pay tribute to the work of Tiphereth’s volunteers.  Miles said of the visit: 

It was a pleasure to again visit Tiphereth to spend some time seeing first hand the work its volunteers are doing to provide residential care, supported living and day services to adults with learning disabilities and autism. What is always abundantly clear from my visits to Tiphereth is that work and fun seem to go hand in hand. 

Tiphereth is a wonderful place and a unique community where people with learning disabilities are able to come together and work alongside volunteers to realise their potential and develop new skills in a positive and nurturing environment. 

 Of the contribution that volunteers make to the Camphill Tiphereth community Miles Briggs MSP said: 

Volunteers’ weeks is an important opportunity to pay tribute and thank the many international and local volunteers who support the work of Tiphereth. 

 Noting that social care has been very challenged by Covid, Miles Briggs MSP went on to say: 

 I’d very much like to thank and pay tribute to everyone at Tiphereth. The last few years have clearly been a challenge for the organisation but they have continued to go the extra mile to deliver and support people with learning disabilities and their families. 

MSP thanks “Fantastic young people” at Camphill Newton Dee

 Audrey Nicoll MSP made a visit to Camphill Newton Dee during Volunteers’ Week, to meet its international volunteers.  Audrey said of the visit: 

I want to extend a huge thank you to Ilaria, Florian, Oriana and Flora – all international volunteers at Camphill Newton Dee, Aberdeen for hosting me visit to celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2022.  

These four fantastic young people have brought talent, skills and above all a strong desire to make a contribution in their volunteering roles, to the Camphill community. It was lovely to hear about their plans and aspirations for the future, and how their volunteering role has shaped them as strong and resilient adults.

 MSP calls for refund on Volunteer Health Service Fee

Gordon MacDonald MSP made a visit to Camphill Tiphereth during Volunteers’ Week, to meet its international volunteers.  Gordon said of the visit: 

Thanks to Tiphereth for the opportunity to meet young volunteers, during Volunteers’ Week, who give up their time to help support some of the most vulnerable people in our society. I have visited Tiphereth on a number of occasions over the years and always find it a welcoming and uplifting experience meeting the members, many of whom have learning disabilities, autism or other complex needs, and hearing about the services they provide to the local community.  

Many of the young volunteers are from EU countries and unfortunately face over 1,000 euros in charges just to come to Scotland and help support the Tiphereth members in our community. The charges consist of £247 for the Visa, and £624 NHS fee for access to the health service, but given that they are overwhelmingly young and healthy volunteers, most will not require to use our health facilities during the months they are in Scotland.  

I believe this is nothing more than a tax on volunteering and the very least the UK Government can do, is refund the NHS fee if the health services are not used before the volunteers return to their own country. 

 MSP praises ‘tailor-made’ services at Camphill Corbenic

John Swinney MSP made a visit to Camphill Corbenic during Volunteers’ Week, to meet its international volunteers.  John said of the visit: 

The Camphill Community at Corbenic provides fantastic support for its residents.  The members of the community are given the opportunity to blossom and thrive in a caring and encouraging environment.

I have been pleased to work with them over a number of years.  The activities provided are wide and varied- from singing to swimming and current affairs discussions and dancing.  The service provided is tailor made for each resident and staff are fully committed to all.

Simeon Care – A wonderful place

Liam Kerr MSP visited Simeon Care for the Elderly in Aberdeen to celebrate Volunteers’ Week. Liam said, after his visit:

Simeon and the wider Camphill movement across Scotland are incredible places for service users, the staff and volunteers who help them. So I was delighted to visit Simeon Care for the Elderly as part of Volunteers’ Week to see first-hand the work they do.

I enjoyed speaking with residents who had enjoyed their lunch to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee and a recent outdoor ceilidh.

Many volunteers, often travelling from around the globe, stay on to become staff members. That’s a credit to the charity and the atmosphere they have created.