Camphill Community Clanabogan

Camphill Community Clanabogan provides Supported Living and Day Opportunities in a life sharing setting for adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs and associated needs and is a voluntary work community. . Camphill Community Clanabogan is also a member of the Association of Camphill Communities in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is home to 30 adults with learning disabilities who share life and work with volunteer coworkers. The total population of 75 also includes permanent/ senior volunteer coworkers, coworker children and volunteer coworkers who join the community for a year, sometimes longer, or for 6 - 8 months or shorter. Ten Day Attendees come on a regular basis to avail of the Day Opportunities offered by the community. Employed staff are involved on administrative or management levels or carry maintenance functions; many other employees are involved in the daily running of houses and workshops. Clanabogan was founded in 1984. It is situated on an estate of 56 ha near the town of Omagh in the rolling hills of West Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The residents live in 5 houses. One resident lives in a semi independent flat. House communities on average have a population of 10 - 15. Most coworkers live in the residential houses, some live in other accommodation near the houses. Clanabogan is a land-based community with a biodynamic farm and garden, a bakery, wood workshop and weaving workshop; all of these are situated in the centre. Farm and Garden provide fresh milk, meat, vegetables and some soft fruit for the community.The Bakery bakes all the bread, biscuits and pizzas and other produce. All these areas provide Day opportunities /meaningful work for the residents and those coming to Clanabogan as Day Attendees. Day Opportunities also include taking part in cultural- social community activities and events. The mission and values of Camphill Community Clanabogan are summarised below: `Camphill Community Clanabogan promotes a community ethos based on the Camphill principles, which seek to ensure that each individual `s intrinsic worth is valued and respected in a purposeful community life setting, where those with and without learning disabilities can mutually support each other and build community together, with concern for the earth, the environment and sustainability. All residents are involved in the life and work of the Community. Person centred support is offered in an inclusive home and work life, enabling the individual to realise their full potential. All long-term life sharing co-workers, employed staff and volunteers play an active role in the achievement of these aims and objectives and daily implementation`. Our working day looks roughly as follows: we start the day together with breakfast preparation and helping residents to get ready for breakfast. At 9.30 am people will start their work, whether it is in the garden, households, wood-or weaving workshop, or on the farm. Lunch is around 13.00 pm followed by a break until 2.30 pm. Then afternoon work starts, until 5.30 pm. There is a mid-morning and a mid- afternoon tea break. Arrangements at weekends vary from house to house and give opportunities for individual social/recreational initiatives. Generally, the pace of life is more relaxed during the weekends. Work in Camphill is not “a job” in the usual sense, but more a way of life. This is one of Camphill `s fundamental principles. Cultural life: A very important aspect of the community is the cultural life. Sundays and Christian and seasonal festivals are celebrated and everyone is welcome to take part in the preparation of these festivals e.g. by participating in plays , joining a choir, bringing a musical contribution. We encourage coworkers to be here and participate during the main festivals. All volunteers have to participate in an Introductory Course, which is a legal requirement. It provides the training and information needed to work in the social care environment, ensuring that the