What does your toast wish for this morning?

International volunteers make an important contribution to the work of the Camphill communities in Scotland, and to the care and support they provide for people with learning disabilities and other support needs.  Camphill Scotland was glad to participate in Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2021) as we believe that it is important to recognise and celebrate the significant contribution which international volunteers make to the work of the 11 Camphill communities in Scotland, and to the work of charities across the UK.

During Volunteers’ Week we shared a number real life stories from Camphill Blair Drummond, Camphill School Aberdeen, Corbenic and Newton Dee on social media, and some of these life changing stories were referenced by the Scottish Government’s Communities, Social Security & Equalities team.  

Since then, many more stories from volunteers and from long term Camphill community residents have come our way, including the blog below:

It is the small things. It is but the small and subtle which seeks to bind us. It is the delightful turn of phrase, from the lips of non-native English speakers, which compel me to reappraise what I take for granted.

“What does your toast wish for this morning?”  As poetic and thought-provoking as this example most certainly was, it also, quite simply, made us all smile at the table. Human at its core. It is but one microscopic instance of a point of connection. Points of connection occurring time and time again throughout our community. And in spite of linguistic and cultural difficulties, the need to reach out and touch forms a very human web of connection, with friendships and experiences which may endure for a lifetime.

I could write about the benefits to me and my family; from the range of food we eat, to the songs and dancing which embrace a wider feast of cultural exchange.  All of which beautifully celebrate our differences through the exposure of a wider human palate.

However, at the fundamental, and by far the finest benefit of sharing my life alongside international co-workers is the realisation, through a direct and intimate shared common experience, one of both tears and laughter, is that no matter where we have come from, and whatever our cultural heritage, we share a common humanity. In other words, it is our similarities which shine forth.

We are most definitely all human in both our foibles and vulnerabilities; and our gifts and glories. Isn’t the recognition of this the hope for the future?

Mike Black is a House and Workshop Coordinator in Newton Dee