The Camphill Movement is a worldwide network of residential and educational communities for people with developmental disabilities, mental-health challenges or other special needs. It was founded in 1939 (with its first full community established in 1940 near Aberdeen, Scotland) on principles inspired by anthroposophy, emphasising dignity, inclusion, and the potential of every individual.
Volunteering with Camphill usually means becoming a resident volunteer: you live in a shared house within the community, receive accommodation and meals, and become part of household and community life. Volunteers are engaged in many kinds of supportive and creative work: helping with care, supporting daily living for people with special needs, assisting in workshops (crafts, weaving, wood-work, baking, etc.), working on the land or farms (often biodynamic agriculture), gardening, farming, or supporting community routines. Communities often expect a commitment of at least 6 months, though many volunteer placements are 12 months or longer (especially in schooling or adult-care communities). Shorter stays or summer-visitor slots exist, but are more limited, and often only available in rural, land-based communities. Camphill aims for volunteering to be more than “helping out” – it’s seen as “life-sharing.” Volunteers and residents share meals, chores, daily rhythms, and participate together in community life: caring, work, crafts, festivals or cultural activities, social time. The idea is that by living together and sharing responsibilities and everyday life, everyone’s dignity and potential are recognised.
Across more than 100 communities in over 20 countries (in Europe, North America, southern Africa, Asia) people (residents with special needs, staff, and volunteers) live and work together, sharing daily life, care, work, and celebrations.
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Residential Volunteers needed for agricultural lifesharing community with people with special needs
