Sturts Community Trust (SCT) is an exciting venture bringing together a range of social initiatives built around a vision of promoting sustainability. As well as being a registered charity, Sturts Community Trust is also a registered housing association.
SCT is based on Sturts Farm, a 90-acre working organic/biodynamic farm on the outskirts of West Moors, Dorset. There are several housing projects on the site and in the local community, providing homes to adults with learning disabilities and support needs.
Their most recent co-housing project, Twin Oaks, opened in April 2021, as an additional new-build scheme. The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland provided a £20,000 grant towards the house’s windows and external doors.
“The grant played an extremely important part in our fundraising as it was one of the first commitments we received for the project. I was thus able to include this commitment in my applications to other Trusts, which encouraged them to support us also. ‘Success breeds success’ is an important adage in fundraising and we are very grateful for the support we received from The Camphill Foundation.” Nick Jackson – Development and Fundraising Manager, SCT
As a Camphill Community, Sturts Farm has, for well over 30 years, been offering land-based work opportunities, individualised support and supported living for adults who have a learning disability. With the founding of the Sturts Community Trust they are building on this rich history by opening up their resources and expertise in social work, social housing and agriculture to benefit a wider range of individuals within the local community in East Dorset.
Their vision is to promote opportunities in land-based activities on their farm, in their homes, and in their garden; opportunities for lifelong learning based around the themes of sustainability, food and the arts; to offer opportunities to benefit from accommodation; and to offer individuals with a learning disability the level of individualised support they need.
Sturts Community Trust is a vibrant and valued resource within the local community and The Camphill Foundation is proud to have supported their Twin Oaks housing initiative.
For further information, please visit www.sturtscommunitytrust.org.uk