international women’s day

Celebrating Morwenna Bucknall

On International Women’s Day we celebrate Morwenna Bucknall, one of the founders of Camphill MK Communities. Here’s a film, created by Jeremy Cooper, featuring the many people whose lives she’d touched, in her lifelong quest in helping others.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this film, your memories were invaluable in the making of this project.

Women of Camphill – Maria S

Posted by: Alicja McCarthy Tags: ability, adults with learning disabilities, bakery, camphill communities, community, international women's day, milton keynes, women of camphill | Categories: Blog

March
20

We continue our Women of Camphill project and speak to master baker and workshop supervisor Maria S about the unsung heroes of our community. CMKC: How long have you have been involved with the community? MS: I first arrived at CMKC in January 1992. CMKC: What’s your most memorable experience in the community? MS: I was a house coordinator in Soltane house, and my children lived with me. I had to cope by myself with the house and the children. It was a challenging time in my life. We had good memories with the residents when we organised holidays. CMKC: How important do you think women are to this community? MS: I think women are as important as men. CMKC: Do you think women’s influence has changed over time in the community? MS: Yes we had some single women in our community, and this might have been the influence of the community life. CMKC: What’s your expectation of yourself and the community for the future? MS: I want to do my job properly and hope that the community meets everybody’s satisfaction. CMKC: Who in your opinion is a hero of Camphill? MS: We have some unsung heroes in the community. They do as much as possible to make the community and the world a better place. Joan has done so much good work for the community within her field of work. Lidia also does a great job making our environment better. Josune is the most popular house coordinator as the residents like her very much. Hanne is doing lots of work to make a difference to the residents’ lives. CMKC: What is your favourite thing to do outside the community? MS: I like walking and discovering the world. CMKC: Who within the community would you like to nominate for a Q & A? MS: Josune

Women of Camphill – Ellen K

Posted by: Alicja McCarthy Tags: ability, camphill, camphill communities, disabilities, international women's day, milton keynes, women of camphill | Categories: Blog

March
13

Women of Camphill – Ellen K We chat to our retired senior co-worker Ellen K about changes in our community and what influences women have had over the years. CMKC: How long have you been involved with the community? EK: I spent 6 and half years in Alpha Africa and 17 years in Camphill Milton Keynes. CMKC: What’s your most memorable experience in the community? EK: My most memorable experience was and still is Happiness. CMKC: How important do you think women are to this community? EK: I think women are still very influential and important for daily running this and any community! CMKC: Do you think women’s influence has changed over time in the community? EK: Camphill has changed a lot in recent years, things are organised differently today, but women still have a great influence. CMKC: What’s your expectation of yourself and the community for the future? EK: Like any other community, our Milton Keynes community is working hard to adapt to the new schemes and new values, but as time evolves the future will look brighter. CMKC: Who in your opinion is a hero of Camphill? Can be anyone. EK: There are so many heroes, I would not just point out one. CMKC: What is your favourite thing to do outside the community? EK: Painting, singing, musical events, going travelling, selling bread for the community, taking part in community events.

Women of Camphill – Chloe A

Posted by: Alicja McCarthy Tags: adults with learning disabilities, camphill communities, community, girl power, international women's day, interview, milton keyes, women of camphill | Categories: Blog, Uncategorized

March
8

Our resident Chloe A has been with our community for over 18 years, so she knows what makes our community tick! For our Women of Camphill project, we discussed women as excellent communicators, which is an essential skill in any community. CMKC: What’s your name and what’s your role in the community? C: My name is Chloe, and I am a resident. CMKC: How long you have been in the community? C: I came to Camphill in 2000, I lived in Oberlin first, then I moved to MP house, before finally moving to Appleyard. CMKC: What’s your most memorable experience in the community? C: When I had a two weeks’ trial in the beginning at Oberlin, I enjoyed the lovely company of Linda and Andrew, who were the house parents at that time, and the company of the residents too. CMKC: How important do you think women are to this community? C: Very important as women bring so many different experiences with them when they join Camphill, just like men. Most women enjoy talking to others that makes them excellent communicators. CMKC: Do you think women’s influence has changed over time in the community? C: No, women have always been a very important part of the community. CMKC: What’s your expectation of yourself and the community for the future? C: To carry on enjoying life in Camphill. I would like to see the workshop where we use up-cycled cardboard to make craft items up and running in the future. CMKC: Who in your opinion is a hero of Camphill? C: Lidia M, for her creativity and many impressive skills that she has. CMKC: What is your favourite thing to do outside of the community? C: I love to explore nature and walking.

Today is International Women’s Day! We know many incredible women all over the world and because we have been celebrating Women of Camphill this week, today we remember one of our founders – Morwenna Bucknall. A most inspirational woman, whom without we would not have so many incredible women working and living with us today. Here’s a little snippet of how she became our hero.