Camphill MK, a supported living community in the heart of Milton Keynes, has partnered with Milton Keynes College to introduce students, teachers and local residents to the charity through a new volunteering programme.
Milton Keynes College has offered all its staff the opportunity to take a day’s volunteering so that they can support local causes and organisations that make Milton Keynes such a great place to live, work and study. Camphill MK has joined them to look at ways MK Colleges’ students and staff can get involved in this volunteering programme.
The founders of Milton Keynes invited the international Camphill movement to create homes in the new city of Milton Keynes in 1980. A community was built in Willen Park and Pennyland for adults with learning disabilities and autism in a space that embraced the outdoors and creativity, whilst offering meaningful opportunities to all residents.
40 years on and Camphill MK is now home to 65 residents with a purpose-built theatre, a ceramics studio, weavery, bakery, allotments and a public-facing café. These structures were originally built with local trades and a flock of volunteers.
Tim Davies, Camphill CEO, said, “Volunteering has been central to us. We have a history of hosting international volunteers, and we are now excited to create more volunteering opportunities for local people."
Rebecca Myrie, Community Engagement Manager at Milton Keynes College Group, said: “We’re delighted to offer our staff and learners volunteering opportunities with Camphill MK and other local groups. At Milton Keynes College Group, we focus on using the power of education to build fairer futures for the communities we serve. By working with organisations like Camphill MK, we hope we can make a difference to the people and communities local to us while also offering colleagues and learners opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and expertise beyond their usual learning or working environments.”
Camphill MK is currently inviting volunteers to work across their workshops as well as supporting the team with events and fundraising as they embark on a £14m capital appeal. Anyone interested in learning more can do so by visiting www.camphillmk.co.uk.
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