Coming to live and/or work in a Camphill community is a life choice, not a placement. We work with people, often over an extended period, to make sure that they are making an informed and meaningful choice. For example many communities have trial periods where everyone can find out whether or not community life is right for a new person.
The Camphill communities in Scotland are all slightly different, so the decision to join a community may involve the decision to move to a new area.
In communities, living and working alongside others, people come to understand how their choices impact on others. People in Camphill communities develop the skills to think of others as well as themselves when making choices, and learn to compromise. This stands them in very good stead in other situations. In Camphill shared living, everyone has choice/rights, but also responsibilities.
We have student meetings and work meetings every morning … so we can have our say.
quoted in Care Inspectorate report, Beannachar 2018
Residents told us that they regularly discussed issues about the running of the house around the meal table, as well as at weekly house meetings. This meant that they were able to express their views on communal plans for activities, and co-workers could seek their opinions on a range of issues.
quoted in Care Inspectorate report, Tigh a’Chomainn 2017
