Life at CMKC

Camphill Milton Keynes Communities (CMKC) is a community for adults with learning disabilities and autism. We are a supported living provider, and our service is built around community living.

The most obvious aspect of life in Camphill MK Communities (CMKC) is that residents live with, and are supported by co-workers (long-term vocational volunteers), guest co-workers (short-term volunteers) and employees, all committed to helping them become more self-reliant in the community setting. Co-workers are part of a household, and are involved in the workshops and participate in the life of the whole community through meetings, training, social and cultural events.

Residents in CMKC have their own rooms, share communal spaces and sign independent tenancy agreements.

Our community ethos means that we share meals and activities within our houses and the Camphill community.

We really are an inclusive community!

Between three and ten residents share our houses which are situated on two different sites in Willen and Pennyland. Some provide a sleep-in cover, while others do not require sleep-in staff. A couple of our houses are more independent and receive support from our Community Support team (CST).

Before anyone begins working with the residents, they have to receive induction training.

Co-workers come from all over the world. For the residents, as for everyone involved, it is a life-enhancing experience to live with people from different countries who can share something of their own culture, language, cuisine and outlook on life.

“I love living here, it gives me great joy. I enjoy the friendships, I’m happy when things go well, even though we have some ups and downs.” Resident Thomas C.

We also offer a variety of workshops which include horticulture in our gardens, food production and sales in our bakery and thriving vegetarian café and wholefood shop. We also run arts & craft workshops which include weaving, ceramics and textiles; we have a tools refurbishment project, as well as a technology and journalism workshop, and a theatre workshop focusing on art, craft, music and drama.

“I like being more independent, being close to my friends and while maintaining close bonds with my family. I love my workshops – the bakery and crafts are my favourite! I have made many friends in Camphill, people are friendly and help each other all the time. The community is like one big family, even though we don’t always get on with everybody all the time.”

Resident Liam D.

Read about life here at CMKC in our Humans of Camphill series, a collection of interviews with residents from our Blog.

Humans of Camphill – Interview with Thomas C.

Life at Camphill MK Communities can be rewarding, challenging and beneficial for many people. For anyone considering becoming a resident, we’ve published a series of interviews with community members about living, working and volunteering at CMKC.

Read More »

Humans of Camphill – Interview with Liam D.

We continue with our Humans of Camphill series and speak to our residents about life at Camphill. Here we chat to Liam D. who talks to us about overcoming challenges, learning new skills and how becoming independent is an achievable goal.

Read More »

During the week the residents are very active. Some go to college or work outside the community, while many choose to attend CMKC workshops and work there regularly.

In the evenings and at weekends there is time for sharing a wide range of activities and interests. Some residents like to make their own arrangements, while others need a bit of help.

Many of the residents spend their evening in the social room – a space for games, conversation, watching TV together, refreshments and so on.

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The residents and co-workers of CMKC have chosen to live in this intentional community. They share festivals, concerts, outings, parties, sports and events of all kinds; they create plays, make music, give talks.  

These activities bring everyone together as a community.