Ross’s Journey to Confidence and Independence

As he sits in the art workshop, Ross happily stamps takeaway cup holders that will be used at the social enterprise market nearby.  At Camphill School Aberdeen, a charity supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and complex additional support needs, he is one of many young people who attend the Learning for Life Day Placement Service.

For 23-year-old Ross and his family, although finding the right support has not been without its challenges, the care he has received at Camphill, which provides day and residential support for around 100 people, has been life-changing.

As he approached the transition from primary to secondary school, it became clear that the mainstream school environment wouldn’t meet Ross’ needs. Securing local authority funding for a place at Camphill School Aberdeen took persistence, but as his mum, Nicky Jenkins, looks back on that time, she says “I’m so pleased that we did, it’s really changed his life for the better.”

Ross’s journey began at Murtle Estate, in Bieldside, where he joined an initiative designed to support children who struggled in traditional classroom settings, using Rudolf Steiner-based teaching and therapies to help them re-engage with learning. While the aim was to support a transition back into mainstream education, it soon became clear that this wouldn’t be the right path for Ross. Instead, his family managed to secure a place for him at Camphill School, near Milltimber, where he remained throughout his school years before later transitioning into a day placement at Murtle Estate.

Ross has autism and OCD and has been a part of the Camphill community for more than a decade. During that time, the support around him has adapted to his needs, helping him develop at his own pace and in ways that work for him. Where he once needed constant support, Ross is now able to spend periods of his day working independently. Nicky reflects on his progress, “This year, he’s become so independent. He used to need two carers, and now he doesn’t need someone by his side all the time.”

“The difference in Ross is unbelievable,” Nicky says. “He’s sociable now and is becoming increasingly independent. Everyone at Camphill isso patient with him. They’re so good at spotting if he's stressed and know howto prevent it from escalating so that he can get the most out of his day.”

A key part of his progress has been through meaningful,structured work tailored to his strengths and interests. Ross approaches his day with purpose, following a list of tasks that he can work through. “He sees going to Camphill the same as anyone going to work,” Nicky explains. “I drop him off, and he makes his own way to the workshops. Camphill is his workplace, it's his safe space,” she says.

At Murtle Market, Camphill’s social enterprise, Ross has taken on roles that once felt out of reach. From clearing tables to serving customers and using the till, he has grown in confidence, particularly in social situations. “That was a big one for us because he’s not good with strangers,” Nicky says. “Now he talks to everybody.”

Camphill staff who support Ross day-to-day have seen the change first-hand. Kasia Stopper, Day Placement Hub Coordinator, says: “Ross is contributing to life here at Camphill School Aberdeen. He takes responsibility for his work and takes pride in what he does.”

Ross has also found joy in creative and practical activities, especially in the art and kitchen workshops. Ross particularly enjoys the art workshop, where he helped create the logo for Murtle Market in collaboration with others. He now takes responsibility for tasks such as stamping the logo on to takeaway cups and paper bags. “He loves being in the art workshop; they say that he’s really helpful. He also enjoys the kitchen workshop, and his baking is brilliant! He often comes home with frosted shortbread, which is one of our favourites,” Nicky says.

The impact of Camphill goes beyond the day placement itself. At home, Ross is building skills that support greater independence, such as changing his own sheets and loading the dishwasher. “Every year, he gains more and more skills,” Nicky says. “It gives us more confidence that although he’ll never be able to live completely on his own, he’ll become more able and less reliant on us. He also has two cats, which he absolutely loves. He enjoys looking after them and spending time with them, and they’re a big part of his daily routine.”

The effect on his wellbeing has been just as important.“Ross loves going to Camphill, I’ve never heard him complain. When he comes home, he’s happy and relaxed. He’s tired but not stressed,” Nicky says.

For Ross’s family, maintaining that routine hasn’t come without challenges. When funding for transport was withdrawn, Nicky made the difficult decision to stop working so that she could drive him to and from his sessions at Camphill, a two hour journey each day.

“Camphill has been so good for him that we knew we needed to find a way to keep him going.” she says. “We were lucky to be in a position where we could, a lot of people aren’t. If this had happened a few years ago, we would have really struggled.”

Without Camphill’s support, Nicky believes that Ross’s world would look a lot different. “He wouldn’t have had the opportunities for social interaction which have been so important for him.”

Instead, Ross is building confidence, independence and practical skills that continue to improve year on year, from speaking to customers at Murtle Market to managing tasks autonomously.

For Ross and his family, the impact of Camphill School Aberdeen has been life changing. A service shaped around Ross’s needs hasn’t just supported him, it has helped him build a life that works for him.