Camphill School Aberdeen has been providing day and residential support to children and young people with complex additional support needs and learning disabilities in the region for more than 80 years. It currently supports over 100 students and is aiming to raise £10 million over 10 years in their ‘Building Futures, Transforming Lives’ campaign to expand its capacity by 60%.
September 2023 marked ‘breaking ground’ on phase one of their capital appeal, which is a state-of-the-art, 11-bedroom residential home with a separate independent living wing, and sustainable social enterprise, Murtle Market. Construction of the house is expected to be completed by Autumn 2024 with Murtle Market due to open to the public Spring/Summer 2024.
The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland seed funded the early stages of the new residential home by providing a £20,000 grant.
The new residential home will allow Camphill School Aberdeen to open their doors to an additional 7 young people with learning disabilities and complex additional support needs, aged 16-25 years old and four new members of staff or volunteers, whilst Murtle Market will sell organic produce, provide a re-fillery service, showcase the arts and crafts made by the students, as well as providing vital skills development and work experience for the young people. Both the house and Murtle Market will help Camphill School Aberdeen expand their services to more vulnerable children and young people in need of support.
Parents, staff, volunteers, and supporters joined the school children and young people at Murtle Estate at their ‘breaking ground’ event on 14th September 2023. Visitors took part in a series of activities including an exhibition where the students showcased the organic produce and sustainable arts and crafts that would be sold in Murtle Market, writing wishes for the new buildings, and pressing apples from their organic garden.
The next phase of their appeal includes the development of two more residential homes and the expansion of their on-site facilities which are used for the development and wellbeing of their children and young people.
The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland is proud to have supported the early stages of such an important campaign and we are grateful to have received a letter of thanks from Alex Busch, the Executive Director of Camphill School Aberdeen:
“Having support like yours very much encourages more people to get behind our campaign and we thank you for helping to transform our vision into a reality. Your funds are helping us open our doors to more vulnerable young people in crisis who are living with learning disabilities and complex additional support needs.” Alex Busch
To find out more about Camphill School Aberdeen’s capital appeal, please visit www.camphillschools.org.uk/capital-appeal/