Stourbridge Probus Club

Dean Barnshaw was the speaker for the June meeting. Dean is a retired army chef who has been a social worker for 20 years. “The Camphill Village Trust – Shared Lives” the charity, for whom he now works, was the subject of his talk.

Dean began by telling us how the pre-war meeting of Rudolf Steiner , an Austrian social reformer, and Karl Konig, a Jewish paediatrician refugee, led to the founding of “The Camphill Village Trust” in Scotland in 1939. Their aim was to provide better care and support for those with mental and physical disabilities who, at this time, were largely confined to institutions and asylums.

Steiner and Konig’s ethos was based on community living with carers supplying care and guidance. An old hunting village in Scotland, “Camphill ”,was where the project began.

60 years on “The Camphill Village Trust” is now a national charity with nine communities providing a variety of living placements for adults with disabilities, mental ill health and other complex support needs.

“C.V.T’s” nine communities,situated in urban and rural settings across England, still reflect the founding values of co-production and citizenship. Each community has its own unique identity. They all provide opportunities for personal growth, work, education and training, social interaction , cultural and spiritual inspiration. The residents receive the support they need to participate fully in the life of each community. Each individual brings something of value to the community in which they live. A variety of supported day and work opportunities are offered such as; retail, catering, arts and crafts, horticulture and even care farming.

Many people who come under the care of the Camphill Village Trust are capable of living in the general community but require support and guidance. This is where “Shared Lives” comes in. ”Shared Lives” can be described as “foster care for adults” (over 18), but care which enables people to control and make their own choices and become independent. People are carefully matched to stay with specially trained “Shared Lives Carers” who provide support to develop practical skills, build self- esteem and encourage social skills to lead an ordinary life in the community.

Shared Lives Carers don’t need qualifications or experience – they just need the right values, dedication and, of course, a spare room. A stay with a Shared Lives Carer can be residential long term or a respite short break. Up to three people can be living, or staying within a household at any one time. Shared Lives Carers can also offer day support for people who wish to develop the skills to lead a more independent lifestyle. There are approximately 12,000 adults being supported by around 9,000 Carers on Shared Lives Arrangements across England and the Sector has grown 30% in the last few years. Shared Lives Carers have a self-employed status and qualify for tax relief. They are paid according to the level of support they provide.

People living in Shared Lives Arrangements are known to lead longer, healthier and happier lives than those living in the more conventional places such as hospital or residential care. Placing someone in a Shared Lives Arrangement can save local Authorities/National Health up to £26,000 annually, in comparison to other forms of long term care.

Camphill Village Trust is something many members of the Probus Club had heard of but had not appreciated its many aspects and the volume of care offered.

Eric Greenwood thanked Dean for an excellent talk.

( If, after reading this report, you wish to find out more about Camphill Village Trust Shared Lives you can contact them on 01384 597264 or sharedlives@cvt.org.uk )

The next meeting is on Tuesday, July 17 when the speaker will be David Nix talking about “The Donor Family Network.”

The club is a friendly group of retired business and professional people who meet for lunch on the third Tuesday in the month at the Hagley Golf and Country Club. For more details call secretary, Pat Grainger on 01384 394442.