Camphill Community Clanabogan

Camphill Community Clanabogan lies on a property of 70 acres (30 hectares) in the beautiful rolling countryside of Co. Tyrone, 4 miles (6 km) from the town Omagh. It began in 1984 and now 80 people live there in 6 households, some large, some small.

In this therapeutic community, adults who have difficulties arising from mental and emotional disability live and work together with co-workers and their children.

Agriculture and horticulture are very important activities in the community and provide healthy and meaningful work as well as enhancing people's awareness of the environment, the seasons and the land on which they live. Milk and milk products, meat, grain, vegetables and fruit are produced naturally without chemical fertilisers or pesticides, following the approach of biodynamic agriculture. With additional rented land, 115 acres (46 hectares) are farmed. The farm is Demeter certified, guaranteeing safe, holistic methods.

Baking, weaving and other handicrafts are being developed in workshops where groups of people learn to work sociably and creatively to produce useful and beautiful things. Bakery products, farm produce, craft work and other items are sold.

The work people do is not only therapeutic but is also essential for the life of the Community and this in itself is rewarding.

There is a lot to do to make houses comfortable and homely for everyone, and cooking, cleaning and laundry are all done by inhabitants of the village.

Co-workers join Clanabogan as volunteers and do not receive wages, their material needs being met from a common fund. In all aspects of life and work, mutual agreement is the basis of a committed and responsible involvement.

Camphill Communities are Christian and non-denominational, and many festivals are celebrated socially and artistically throughout the year. The Community meets for religious gatherings and people are also free to attend a church of their choice or to follow their own conscience.

A cultural and artistic life is built up together with music, drama and lectures of an educational nature taking place regularly. Many of these activities, as well as the therapeutic principles used, are inspired by Anthroposophy, a philosophy originating in Europe with Rudolf Steiner at the beginning of the twentieth century. An Introductory Course prepares co-workers for their tasks in the Community and an Introduction to Agriculture is offered to those working on the land.

Puddleducks Playgroup offers Rudolf Steiner early childhood education to children of the community and neighbourhood.

Camphill Communities try to foster everyday life in as normal a way as possible; holidays and birthdays, Christmas and Easter, summer and harvest, all the high points of the year are shared, together with personal joys and sorrows, failures and achievements.

Clanabogan is in a rural setting but all life's experiences are present for those who live there. They belong to the wider community around them too and participate in local events, cultural, social and recreational, and visit friends roundabout. Likewise, friends and neighbours are welcome visitors at performances and parties, or just for a chat.
Groups of school children visit the farm and bakery; nursing students, youth projects, environmental groups and all minds of interested people come and see what life in Camphill is like.

Camphill Community Clanabogan is part of the Camphill Community Trusts (N.I.) which is a registered charity providing support and advice on matter of finance and development, as does a committee at a local level.

Running expenses are financed by Government agencies responsible for the welfare of people with special needs. New houses are financed by The Craigowen Housing Association. Help with other capital projects comes from funds raised by the Friends of Camphill Clanabogan, the Friends of Camphill Glencraig, a local support group, and by donations and legacies.

The first Camphill Community was founded in Scotland in 1940 by the Austrian Dr Karl König and a group of friends. Now there are around 100 communities worldwide.

This is an attempt to live a new kind of community life, to include people of many nationalities and people with different problems, strengths and weaknesses. Most people, whether disadvantaged or not, find that as well as encountering struggles and challenges, they meet interesting and rewarding experiences, learn new skills, grow and develop.

In this environment every person is recognised as an individual and although some carry disabilities which present difficulties, each one is nevertheless a valued member of Clanabogan Community and of the human community.