How long have you worked at Camphill School Aberdeen? 

I have been living and working in Camphill School Aberdeen for 32 years.

What brought you to Camphill School Aberdeen? 

I have always liked the idea of being part of a community where people live and work together, with the shared goal of caring for others in need. So, when I finished school, I decided to travel from my home in Germany to Scotland to work as a one-year volunteer at the Templehill community near Stonehaven. I enjoyed the experience so much that I decided to stay on, and eventually moved to Camphill School Aberdeen where I completed the BA degree in Curative Education and am still here many years later!  

What does your role at Camphill School Aberdeen consist of? 

My role is the Felt Workshop Leader, a position that I have held for 26 years. I also work as a Senior Care Worker at Cherrywood House when needed. I consider myself very fortunate to have a job that enables me to share my interest in Arts & Crafts with young adults with additional support needs by showing them how to transform raw, unspun, wool into felted products. In addition to providing a learning opportunity, the workshop has therapeutic value and offers our students the possibility to improve their social skills by interacting with each other under the guidance of staff in a safe and calm environment.

What have students been working on lately in the felt workshop?

The young people made a range of products, these include hot-water bottle covers, book covers, flower petals for fairy lights, jewellery, as well as decorations. We also made felted acorns which were sent out to our corporate partners.

This term we shall make felted red noses for ‘Red Nose Day’ and continue to process wool from our own alpacas, which will be used to make felt insoles for Wellington boots.

Are there any key highlights that stand out for you during your time at Camphill School Aberdeen?

There have been so many highlights during my time in Camphill that it is difficult to pick one! Becoming the Felt Workshop Leader was an important highlight, as it enabled me to pursue my interest in crafts and combine this with my desire to help young adults with additional support needs. Being able to do this whilst living and working in what I consider to be a very special, vibrant and diverse community where everyone is treated with respect and helped to discover their full potential is for me, one of the best jobs that there is!

How much of a difference will the capital appeal campaign when complete make to students and their families at Camphill School Aberdeen?

The capital appeal should make a significant difference by enabling CSA to provide the necessary accommodation and facilities to help even more young adults with additional support needs, as there is clearly a huge demand for this service. This will enable more students to learn important life skills in a safe and therapeutic environment and give them a sense of belonging.