Co-workers' Information
Beannachar is a community providing work and training
for young adults with special needs aged between 18 and 28. We emphasise
the adult status of our students, who display a broad range of learning disabilities
such as epilepsy, Down's syndrome and autism as well as behavioural and physical
disturbances.
The students, co-workers and children live together in three large family units
in an estate of 27 acres (11 hectares) on the edge of Aberdeen. Currently we
accommodate 22 resident students, 10 day students, 22 co-workers and 7 children.
Arriving at Beannachar
Potential co-workers usually apply by post, email or fax and are then asked
to send a detailed C.V., a photograph, two references and a criminal record
check. After being fully informed about our life and work here, or if possible
after an initial visit, they are asked to commit themselves for at least six
months or preferably for a full year.
Soon after their arrival, every co-worker participates in induction talks with their house co-ordinator which give a framework for everyday life at Beannachar (e.g. timetable, guidelines, procedures etc.) as well as outlining some of the fundamental ideas and attitudes underlying our work. Together with all the registration papers and forms, new co-workers are issued with a handbook containing the health and safety policy, this statement of intent, procedures in case of fire and other necessary information.
Living in Beannachar
The daily work involves both the co-workers
and the students according to their abilities, and includes organic gardening
and farming; work with medicinal herbs; cooking; laundry; pottery; weaving
and candle-making.
The cultural life, in which everyone is expected to participate, includes
folk dancing, drama, hobby groups, evening classes, celebration of the Christian
festivals, walking, swimming, sports and outings e.g. to concerts, cinema,
theatre, local beauty spots etc. There is a weekly non-denominational Christian
Sunday Service.
If co-workers smoke, they are asked to do so outside with discretion. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted
on the premises.
Some co-workers stay for many years; others make a shorter commitment which
we prefer to be a full year. The minimum age for co-workers is 19, but we also
offer the possibility for school pupils to take part in our life for short
periods as a practical experience.
Co-workers are expected to uphold the Health and Safety Policy, being constantly aware of the responsibility of their actions with respect to the health and safety of everyone in the community.
Despite the need for the allocation of clearly defined roles amongst ourselves as
co-workers, we work actively to ensure that each member of the community can
feel that their contribution is unique, valued and valid.
We strive to uphold an atmosphere of openness and honesty in all our
dealings with each other. Mutually dependent as we are, we try to support and
enable one another in our need for privacy and personal choice. Every co-worker
has one free day a week and four weeks’ holiday per year. We welcome visits from
relatives and friends of co-workers, by prior arrangement.
Co-workers are expected to attend weekly house meetings, co-worker meetings and Sunday gatherings. There will also be the opportunity to attend occasional lectures, study groups and other local events.
Money and Holidays
Voluntary workers (co-workers) do not receive wages, the needs of
everyone being met out of a common fund (and food and accommodation being
provided). Newly-arrived co-workers
receive an allowance to cover their expenses whilst living here and, where
needed, financial help with holidays etc. Longer-term co-workers use
money according to their needs, on the basis of mutual trust. New co-workers
should come with adequate clothing, including old clothes for outdoor work,
boots and a warm waterproof coat.
Each co-worker has one free day per week and four weeks holiday per full year, by arrangement with the whole community. At all other times it is expected that each co-worker would be a responsive and responsible member of the community. This can be demanding, especially at the beginning, because our days are long and filled with activities, but it makes it possible for all of us to live more like a family and less like an institution.
There are several employed members of the community, including 2 full time house co-ordinators, a full-time joiner/maintenance person, a full-time administrator, a part-time secretary, a part-time mending and ironing lady, a driver, 2 full time and part time workshop leaders.
Training for Co-Workers
For co-workers and employees, training serves a variety of needs;
- It enables them to achieve the qualifications required to meet the criteria for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council;
- It ensures ongoing professional development for everyone;
- It fosters the core of anthroposophical understanding referred to in Camphill’s Mission Statement;
- It meets the needs of the community to keep abreast of changing professional approaches to current issues.
All co-workers completely new to Camphill life are expected to attend the
Foundation Course comprising a one-hour session per week as well as visits to
other centres, and specific training sessions. A full year’s attendance of the
course entitles participants to a certificate. Part of the course’s structure
is the provision of a tutor to whom they can turn for more objective support,
in addition to that available from their house co-ordinators and other experienced
co-workers. We do not expect newly-arrived co-workers to take full responsibility
for any realm of our life; close supervision and liaison takes place in the
house with the house co-ordinators, and at work with a more responsible co-worker.
There is the possibility for co-workers from Beannachar to participate in the newly-accredited 4 year B.A. course in Curative Education (at Camphill Rudolf Steiner Schools, Bieldside), run jointly with Aberdeen University. This course entails six hours of lectures, artistic work and group tutorials per week plus private study time, and it offers an opportunity for greater involvement and commitment to our common life and work. Two tutors are available for regular guidance and support, one from within Beannachar and one from the course faculty.
More committed and experienced co-workers may take part in other Camphill training courses available on a national level, such as the Youth Guidance Seminar; the nurses’ training course; the Bio-Dynamic (Agriculture) Seminar and the Adult Communities course. In addition co-workers attend day or weekend training sessions and conferences of particular professional interest, as available locally and nationally.