Newton Dee Camphill Community

xidai

Newton Dee Camphill Community

Located in Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

Mission Statement

Newton Dee is a Camphill community in Aberdeen, Scotland. We offer a home, meaningful work and opportunities for personal development to adults with learning disabilities and other special needs. In all some 200 people live and work within the Newton Dee community. Around half have special needs. The others are mainly co-workers and their families.

The ethos of Newton Dee is that everyone brings different abilities, which we use for the benefit of the people around us.

Newton Dee’s home life is based around large and small households ranging from four to 16 people. In addition we have some shared houses, apartments and bed-sitters.

There are 36 houses in Newton Dee’s wooded grounds, which extend to a total of 180 acres, of which 120 acres is dedicated to our biodynamic farm. Aberdeen is the home of the Camphill Movement.

Community Description

Newton Dee Village is one of 90 Camphill communities around the world. We are a semi-rural community of around 200 people, 86 of whom are adults with learning disabilities. We are an Anthroposophical based community. We work out of Christianity and celebrate the festivals of the year.

We live and work together in 36 households on a 180-acre estate (120 acres are dedicated to our bio-dynamic farm and gardens). The products of our village workshops include toys, metalwork, textiles and bakery and confectionery goods. In addition, we have a cafe, gift shop, and grocery store, and also have two farms and two market gardens that are run using bio-dynamic methods.

We receive no salaries, and our needs are met by the community. Our workforce is based on volunteers, with young people (minimum age 18) from the UK and abroad joining us for a minimum of one year. We are open to new members as space is available. Please inquire by email or phone to the HR Group at recruitment@newtondee.org.uk

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 180 acres
Current Residence Types: Single-family homes, Multi-family homes, Room(s) in a house or building
Land owned by: Newton Dee Camphill Community Ltd

Membership
Adult Members: 180
Child Members: 20
Percent Women: 41-49%
Percent Men: 41-49%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
Please contact our reception desk at +44 1224 868 701 or at info@newtondee.org.uk
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
Joining Newton Dee happens in a couple of different ways, but simplicity sake. If you would like to become a short term volunteer (about a year long stay) you should email recruitment@newtondee.org.uk and ask for a short term volunteer application. If you are looking to join as a long term coworker (joining with the intention of making this your permanent home) then you should email the same address, but tell us a bit about yourself first and ask if you can speak with the recruitment manager.

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: No
Shared Income: All or close to all
Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0
Open to members with existing debt: Yes (some debt)
Additional Comments:
We live and work together full time. We don’t count hours as we don’t really have on and off duty times. We live together with adults with special needs. We share our income as a community and manage budgets that include our personal expenditure. We live with the ideal that you give freely of yourself, and trust the community to provide for you.

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
Energy sources: Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Clean Energy from the Grid
Planned renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%
Current food produced: Between 26-49%
Planned food produced: From 50-75%
Food produced locally: From 50-75%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Stage or Auditorium, Swingsets & play areas, Internet
Internet Available: Yes, community provides it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.
Shared meals: Approximately all meals
Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Paleo (no grains, dairy, processed foods, or legumes), Local (food sourced within 150 miles), Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms), Vegetarian Only (no animal meat; dairy and eggs okay) – Please check this only if you are 100% Vegetarian, Mostly Vegetarian, Vegan Only (plants only, no animal products) – Please check this only if you are 100% Vegan., Mostly Vegan, Kosher, Halal, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
Special Diets OK: Yes
Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Common Spiritual Practice(s): Christian
Spiritual Practice Expected?: No
Education Style(s): Private School off the property, Public Schooling, Up to each family or individual
Expected Healthcare Practices:
The NHS covers everyone with healthcare in the UK, we do not pay for private health insurance.

Home Life



We share our lives in households of various sizes. The long-term co-workers with responsibility for each household – usually a couple and their children – are assisted by one or two short-term co-workers. They share their home life with those with special needs. So there are no on and off duty times, and the character of each household varies from one to another.

Work Life



Meaningful work producing quality goods and services of value to others is an important part of life. Everyone – with the exception of those who are unable to participate due to age or health – has work in our various enterprises. Working isn't just about doing something, but about becoming something. We offer opportunities in joinery, metal work, farming, gardening, textiles, baking, cooking, homemaking, landscaping or opportunities in our store and cafe.

Cultural Life



A broad outlook on life is encouraged at Newton Dee. We encourage residents and co-workers to develop their skills and talents through training and education. We also have an active social, cultural and spiritual life. Everyone at Newton Dee can be involved in music, drama, arts and crafts. There are regular sporting and recreational activities as well as plays and concerts. At the centre of our cultural and spiritual lives is our celebration of the Christian festivals.

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/camphill-village-newton-dee/
              https://www.newtondee.co.uk