Camphill Village Trust Turns 70!
by Floris Books • 11 December 2024 • Camphill, Karl Konig • 0 Comments
2024 marks the 70th birthday of the Camphill Village Trust: an organisation which provides support and services for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health problems. Emma Salem, a member of the CVT fundraising and communications team shares with us, for the Floris blog, what they’ve been up to this year to mark this special milestone!
Marking its 70th anniversary, Camphill Village Trust has embraced a year of special celebrations to honour its legacy. Established in 1954, the Trust has grown into a nationally recognised charity, encouraging community and empowerment through innovative social care and Green Care initiatives.
The Camphill movement was founded in Scotland in 1939 by an Austrian Doctor Karl König, with a group of young helpers. They were all refugees who had escaped Austria following the 1938 annexation by Germany. Born in 1902, König had significant experience in working with children with a learning disability within a residential setting.
Karl König was inspired by anthroposophy which means ‘wisdom of the human being’. This philosophy was mainly developed by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The connection between people and our land and nature is fundamental to our ethos today.
The Camphill Village Trust operates ten communities across England, where people live and work in an inclusive environment that emphasises community, meaningful work, and a connection to nature.
To commemorate the remarkable 70 year milestone, the Trust’s supporters recently undertook a challenging hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, raising funds and awareness for the Trust’s work.
In addition, a unique archive project is underway to chronicle the rich history of Camphill Village Trust, capturing personal stories, key achievements, and memorable milestones over the decades. The archive serves as a living testament to the enduring impact of the Trust’s work, preserving its heritage for generations to come.
Across each community, art projects are underway to celebrate the Trust’s values of creativity, inclusion, and connection. Together, our communities are crafting a collaborative patchwork quilt and “Legacy of Leaves” trees, with each leaf uniquely honouring the people and connections that shape our journey. These collaborative works, crafted by the people supported by the Trust, add a unique and personal touch to the celebrations, highlighting the talents and passions of those within the community.
More events are set to follow, engaging both local and wider audiences, and bringing people together in honour of the Trust’s vision and values.
As Camphill Village Trust looks to the future, these celebrations highlight its ongoing mission to create opportunities for meaningful engagement and personal growth. The 70th Jubilee provides an opportunity not only to celebrate past achievements but also to build on its impact as a leader in inclusive social care. For more details on the anniversary activities, visit our 70th Jubilee page:
Our 70th Jubilee • Camphill Village Trust • Celebrating 70 Years
Keen to find out more?
We encourage you to hunt out their award winning cheese, read about some of the extraordinary lives that shape the Camphill Community and find out where the game Jenga came from!
Good luck for the next 70 years to our Camphill Friends.
Trace the roots of the Camphill Movement by learning about its founder, Karl König here and join our mailing list to keep up to date on our latest new books in our Karl König Archive series.
