Camphill Community Clanabogan

BT78 ITJ, Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, UK

Information for co-workers

Camphill Communities were founded by Dr. Karl König in 1940 inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner (Anthroposophy) and we ask you to come with an open heart and mind and be willing to share in our way of life during your stay here.

Camphill Communities are usually land-based community with farmland, garden and woodland, all worked bio-dynamically and they may have their own supply of vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, firewood, and fruit. Caring for this land provides meaningful work.

There are also workshops:

In Clanabogan: a wood workshop, a weaving workshop, bakery, creamery, and a herb workshop in the winter. The houses also provide lots of work opportunities.

Living:

The households range from 9 -14 people, generally comprising home co-ordinators, their children, 4 -7 adults with special needs and 1 or 2 volunteer co-workers who preferably stay at least a year.

Together we are responsible for the home life of the community; we share meals, ideas, work experiences and the events of daily life, highlighting them by festival celebrations, birthday parties etc. Of course the preparing of meals, washing up, cleaning etc. also need to be shared amongst those living together in a household. Creating a home environment is one of our main tasks.

Although we try and place you within a household where you can live for the duration of your stay, it is occasionally necessary that we ask you to move to another house. Community life can be very changeable and we might need your help in more than one household.

Joining in with us wholeheartedly will help you to experience Camphill life most fully. You will be asked to work where there is the greatest need during the time you are with us but you should state your specific interests. Work does not only happen during fixed hours and your help will also be needed at other times, for activities as mentioned above.

Please bring adequate clothing for country life (e.g. Wellington boots, waterproofs and warm clothing).

Working:

Working and living are not strictly separated; our emphasis is on life-sharing.

In Clanabogan co-workers may have 1 ½ day a week free and are asked to be available at all other times, according to a reasonable daily routine.

Fulltime farm co-workers have 2 free days, as they have a different routine and working hours.

Our working day looks roughly as follows: we start the day together with breakfast preparation, and helping people to get ready for breakfast. At 9.30 am people will start their work, whether it is in the garden, households, wood-or weaving workshop, or on the farm etc. Lunch is around 13.00pm followed by a break until 2.30pm. Then afternoon work starts, until 5.30pm. There is a mid-morning and a mid- afternoon tea break.

Arrangements at weekends vary from house to house, please be aware that work in Camphill is not “a job” in the usual sense, but more a way of life.
Generally, the pace of life is more relaxed during the weekends.

Cultural life:

A very important aspect of the community is our cultural life. We celebrate the Christian festivals and everyone is encouraged to take part in the preparation of these festivals e.g. by taking part in a play, joining the choir or practising music, so don’t forget your musical instruments. We expect people to be here and participate during the main festivals.

There is an Introductory Course, in which we share our ideals with you and try to explain why we are doing things the way we do. Every newcomer is expected to join this course. It provides an opportunity to meet other young volunteers and it is a legal requirement.

Holidays:

Clanabogan` s holiday policy:

After 3 full months: 3 break days and regular day off

After 6 full months: 3 more break days and regular day off

Then for each additional full month: 2 more break days and regular day off

For a full year: 20 days holidays during the time spent in Clanabogan.