Camphill School Aberdeen Shortlisted for National Charity Award!

May 6, 2022

We are delighted to have been named as a finalist in the prestigious Scottish Charity Awards.

We support 95 children and young people from across the north east of Scotland, and have been recognised in the Pioneering Project category for our CV19 pop-up vaccine centre.

The centre which was set up in May 2021 was the first of its kind in Scotland for young people with learning disabilities and delivered vaccines to almost everyone who was eligible (98%)

We worked in partnership with our on site NHS medical practice to transform our gym into a pop-up vaccination centre - creating a clinically safe and familiar space for our students. Experienced medical and support staff adapted their approach to ensure getting vaccinated was as stress free as possible.

Hillary Mulligan, Dad of Niall a pupil at Camphill School Aberdeen, said: “Our adult son Niall has Down’s Syndrome and is non-verbal, therefore we were unable to explain to him about the pandemic or the need to get vaccinated. I cannot emphasise the absolute relief when we heard Niall would be vaccinated at Camphill. Taking Niall to a big vaccination centre would have been incredibly stressful. The day was a passport to freedom for us - a day of celebration. The first thing Niall did when he was fully vaccinated was visit his two big brothers who he hadn’t seen for nearly a year.”

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector. This year’s shortlist includes 44 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.

Alex Busch, Executive Director of Camphill School Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised for our efforts put into our pop-up vaccination centre. The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory, identified young people with learning disabilities were twice as likely to catch CV19 and were three times more likely to die from the virus than the rest of the population. Therefore, vaccinations and getting them delivered quickly, were essential to protect our young people.

“We also wanted to work in partnership with our onsite medical practice staff rather than a vaccination centre for day and residential pupils as the relationships and trust had already been built over a number of years and the facility was familiar. To know and trust your medical team is really important for anyone who needs medical care but is even more important for young people with disabilities and their families and we are very lucky to have very long established relationships with Camphill Medical Practice and Dr Stefan Geider. The vaccines allowed us to welcome back day students (ahead of other settings), open up for family visits for residents and get young people’s progression back on track.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, added: “The Scottish Charity Awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work of charities, community organisations and social enterprises across Scotland. The entries this year are as fabulous as ever and the 44 finalists come in all shapes and sizes. Every one of them is making a huge difference - they make Scotland a better place to live and I'm very much looking forward to meeting them in June. This is your chance to vote for your favourite in the People's Choice Award, so please offer your support.”

While a judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories including the Pioneering Project category, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award. The winners will be announced on June 15 at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by BBC’s Sally Magnusson at Glasgow's Crowne Plaza hotel.

To vote for Camphill School Aberdeen for People’s Choice Award, please visit - https://scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/vote/2022/pioneering-project/covid-19-pop-up-vaccine-centre-camphill-school-aberdeen, voting closes at 5pm on Friday 20 May 2022.

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