Corbenic Camphill Community meets the Residential and Day support needs of adults with complex and severe social, emotional, intellectual, and learning disabilities in an integrated community near Dunkeld, Perthshire. Offering meaningful working opportunities, individuals contribute to the life of the community and in doing so a sense of integrity, dignity, equality and worth is fostered in each.
1. A core tenet of community life is regularly celebrating a range of multi-cultural festivals where we meet as a whole community. However, the 50-person capacity of our current biggest hall in Drumour Lodge is limiting
2. Corbenic’s highly valued Day Service is over-subscribed. Presently it offers 6 places per day, but if this could be expanded, more Perth & Kinross adults requiring day services could benefit
A community consultation was conducted and all members of Corbenic were encouraged and supported to engage in the process. Through this, the requirement for a community meeting space was highlighted as a core need, and a location also emerged clearly as the favoured place for such a building. Additionally, it was identified that if part of the building could be dedicated to the Day Service, the required expansion of day places could also be addressed at the same time.
Thus the new Day Service & Community Barn Project was conceived.
Situated within the workshop area of the estate is an old, dilapidated barn that is beyond any serviceable use. We wish to replace this with a new barn-style multifunctional building, designed to be used on a daily basis in ways that will all benefit the whole Corbenic Community:
• A dedicated space and facilities for the Day Service to expand to 12 places per day
• Sufficient space to accommodate the entire community of 150 people under one roof for gatherings, celebrating festivals, meals and music events. Friends and families will have the chance to join in a suitably sized venue which can be used in any weather
• Space for the large Estate Workshop to take their tea breaks, vacating the space shared with the Craft and Pottery Workshops, allowing it to return to a calmer, creative environment
• A warm and comfortable space away from the houses where our 30+ wonderful volunteers can enjoy themselves and know they are appreciated and the valued for all they bring to the Corbenic Community.
• A sports, games and activity space for everyone to enjoy
The location is adjacent to the existing Day Service building, so ideal for the planned Day Service expansion. It is also equidistant from the residential houses, with existing paths leading to each property, meaning it is accessible while maintaining the privacy of the residential properties when the public are attending events.
Existing Day Service (left), and the old barn (right)
As a capital project, the budget of such a project falls outside of day to day running costs and is why fundraising is key to the project’s success. We are seeking funding from multiple sources including local and national charitable funders and trusts, the Camphill Central Scotland Trust, gifts from friends of Corbenic, connections with corporate donators, and community fundraising and donations from individuals and groups.
From everyone here at Corbenic, thank you so much for your generous support, and making a positive difference to so many peoples’ lives.
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
