Newsletter
Camphill Village October Newsletter
Celebrating Heritage Month and our community
Heritage Day: The Heritage We Create Together
James Sleigh
With Heritage Day falling on 24 September, we have an opportunity to reflect on where we come from, the roots that shape us, and the aspects of our heritage that we hold dear. It is also a time to consider what we identify with — as individuals, as South Africans, and as an organisation.
This month, we have witnessed two very different sides of being South African. We have felt the glowing pride of watching our Springboks triumph once again, celebrating the resilience, strength and determination, being part of a nation that refuses to lose or give up, celebrating masculine strength. Yet we have also been confronted by the darker side of strength, with the continuing scourge of gender- based violence reminding us of the devastating consequences when power is misused.
Camphill Village has its own rich and evolving heritage. Born out of a European movement, our community took root on the sandy West Coast of South Africa 62 years ago. Over the decades, this heritage has gradually blended with the many cultures, personalities and experiences of the people who have been part of our story. Each person has contributed something unique to the rich and colourful tapestry that is Camphill today.
This journey has required humility, sensitivity and a willingness to listen — to recognise the strengths in other cultures, respect differences, and appreciate that people may see the world, communicate and express themselves in different ways. These nuances can easily be overlooked when we assume that our own way is the only way.
In this way, we have been creating a heritage of our own — and continue to do so every day. We are not simply preserving what was handed down to us; we are shaping something meaningful for those who will follow.
Although we each come from different backgrounds, with our own gifts, challenges, and perspectives, there are moments when those differences seem to dissolve. We find ourselves completely in sync, working together as one, united by a shared purpose.
At Camphill, these moments take many forms:
- Our monthly market: In the moments before the gates open on the first Sunday of the month, stallholders are ready, stalls are stocked, last-minute crises resolved, floats checked, and everyone is dressed, groomed, and smiling. There is a shared anticipation and camaraderie, with everyone hoping for a successful day.
- Communal workdays: When everyone focuses on a common goal, individual efforts come together, and the community moves almost like a single organism.
- Planting and harvesting: Working together against the clock and the elements, each person contributes towards a shared deadline and a common harvest.
- Creative brainstorming: In a marketing meeting, ideas build on one another, individual perspectives merge, and something emerges that none of us could have created alone.
- Life in our homes: In the everyday rhythms of shared living, each person contributes to the character and spirit of the home, regardless of their abilities or support needs. It is in these relationships that care, dignity and belonging come to life.
These are the moments when something special happens. Our differences do not disappear, but they become part of something greater than ourselves. We find a shared rhythm, a common purpose and a sense of belonging that transcends cultural boundaries.
Perhaps this is the most meaningful heritage we can create: not simply one rooted in where we come from, but one shaped by how we choose to live, work and care for one another. At Camphill, our heritage is not only our history. It is what we create together, every day, for the generations to come.
A Beautiful Spring Day at Camphill
Lisa Knoop and Annett Mostert
Our recent Spring Market was everything we hoped it would be and more! The farm was alive with visitors, laughter, music, and so many happy faces. From the moment the gates opened, visitors wandered through beautiful stalls, enjoyed the sunshine and soaked up the special atmosphere that makes a day at Camphill so unique. There were smiles everywhere, families enjoying time together, and a wonderful buzz right across the farm.
A Market Full of Flavour, Music and Good Vibes
One of the real highlights of the market was our ever-growing food and Deli area, which was absolutely packed with delicious offerings. From fresh and homemade products to tempting treats and seriously good eats, visitors came hungry and left happy! The market’s food offering has become one of its biggest strengths and continues to grow with every market. Adding to the atmosphere was the wonderful and talented choir from Sfiso Khaya Sotobe, whose incredible voices and energy filled the farm and had everyone smiling.
Growing Something Special Together
The Camphill Village Country Market continues to grow into something truly special. It is a place where the farm, the residents, vendors and visitors come together to create something magical. With new spaces, exciting projects and an ever-growing community of talented vendors, every market brings something new to discover. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports the market and the farm, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back for our next market on Sunday, 4th October, from 10 am to 3 pm. Come and spend a beautiful day on the farm; there is always something special brewing at Camphill!
Legacy of Light : Preparations in Full Swing!
Janine Strumpher
The excitement is building at Camphill West Coast as preparations for our Legacy of Lights Dinner Dance & Auction are in full swing!
On the 17th October 2026, we will gather at the beautiful Eensgezind for an evening filled with good food, wonderful music, laughter, friendship and, most importantly, the spirit of community that makes Camphill so special.
Our team is busy behind the scenes making sure every detail is in place, from the décor and table settings to the entertainment, auction items, wines, and all the little touches that will make the evening truly memorable.
This year’s Legacy of Light celebrates the people who bring light into the lives of others. It is also an opportunity to shine a light on our residents who have little or no family or financial support, and to help ensure that they continue to experience a life filled with purpose, choice, dignity, and belonging.
With 250 guests expected, the evening promises to be a wonderful celebration of the Camphill community and the incredible generosity of our supporters.
We can’t wait to welcome you and share an unforgettable evening under the Legacy of Light.
17 October 2026 | Eensgezind | Smart Dress
Come dressed to shine, and help us make the evening shine even brighter for Camphill. Let’s THRIVE together.
Brewing Something Special at Camphill!
Hannah Gerber
As some of you may have seen on social media, a few of our residents recently had the wonderful opportunity to take part in barista training with Mugg & Bean Durbanville. What began as a skills- development opportunity soon grew into something much bigger: Camphill Coffee was born, a new enterprise with four newly trained baristas! We love it when a good plan comes together! Roy, Gavin, Thami and Ursula are our proud new baristas, learning everything from preparing and serving coffee to building confidence, developing practical skills and engaging with customers.
At Camphill, we believe in nurturing abilities, creating opportunities and celebrating what each person can do. Watching our residents embrace new challenges and responsibilities is something we are incredibly proud of. Camphill Coffee is a wonderful continuation of our long tradition of meaningful work, community, and creating opportunities for people to contribute in ways that matter. A special thank you to Priya, our Occupational Therapist, for helping bring this exciting new enterprise to life and supporting our residents every step of the way.
And then, as if the stars aligned, one of our family members donated a La Spaziale commercial coffee machine, and we connected with a local coffee roaster who developed a signature, full-bodied dark roast especially for Camphill Village. Sometimes, the right ingredients really do come together! Camphill Coffee made its debut at our Spring Market, and what a special occasion it was!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a cup and supported our new venture. Every cup represents more than great coffee — it helps build confidence, develop skills, and create meaningful opportunities for our residents.
The exciting news? You can now enjoy Camphill Coffee at home, too!
Visit our online shop to order your own Camphill Coffee Beans or Ground Coffee and be part of something special. Every cup helps us brew a little more opportunity, one coffee at a time: https://www.camphill.org.za/shop/camphill-village-coffee-dark-roast
From Camphill to your home:
Camphill Cosmetics shop online!
It is always exciting when an idea starts around the table with our team and eventually becomes a reality , and we are delighted to share that our Camphill Cosmetics online shop is officially up and running!
Our natural, handcrafted products, made with care and rooted in the work and traditions of our Camphill community, can now be ordered online and enjoyed from wherever you are! And we have already celebrated our very first online orders! It was such a special moment for the team to see an idea that began as a conversation become a real opportunity to share a little piece of Camphill beyond our village.
For us, this is about more than simply having an online shop. It is about carrying forward the heritage of Camphill while finding new ways to connect our community with people near and far. We are so proud and grateful to everyone who supports our work.
Shop Camphill Cosmetics: https://www.camphill.org.za/cosmetics#shop
Care-house Vocational Programme: A growing project
Priya Singh
This month, with the aid of our dedicated carers and group-home leaders, we launched a new vocational programme aimed at providing meaningful and purposeful work for residents placed in care houses. Residents who live in care houses often require higher levels of supervision and assistance. They also participate in the Stimulation Program, which caters to physical, mental and sensory stimulation. This new vocational program functions differently to our existing Enterprise Vocational Programmes as it caters to a different level of disability.
The Care-house Vocational Programme consists of smaller, intentional projects that allow residents the opportunity to grow their skills and abilities. The first project in motion is creating a succulent and flower garden from scratch. This programme also aims to stimulate various components of function such as endurance, alertness, range of motion, postural strength, coordination, and balance.
Residents’ confidence in their abilities improves and with that, a sense of purpose blooms.
Remembering the Person: Alzheimer’s Awareness at Camphill
Carine Human
September is World Alzheimer’s Month
September is recognised globally as World Alzheimer’s Month, with World Alzheimer’s Day observed on 21 September each year. It is a time to raise awareness, challenge the stigma surrounding dementia, and remind us that behind every diagnosis is a person with a life story, relationships, abilities, preferences and a unique identity.
At Camphill, where we walk alongside people through many stages of life, this is an important conversation for us to have.
Alzheimer’s disease and intellectual disability
Adults with intellectual disability can have a higher risk of developing dementia, particularly as people are living longer than they did in previous generations. The risk is especially significant for people with Down syndrome, who have a much higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease as they age.
Recognising dementia in a person with intellectual disability can sometimes be challenging. For this reason, knowing the person well is one of our greatest tools.
Rather than looking only for memory loss, we should notice changes from the person’s usual way of being:
- Are they struggling with tasks they previously managed independently?
- Have their communication or social interactions changed?
- Are they becoming unusually withdrawn, anxious, confused or restless?
- Have their sleeping or eating patterns changed?
- Are they losing interest in activities they previously enjoyed?
- Are there changes in their personality, mood or behaviour?
- Are they needing more assistance with familiar daily routines?
These changes should not automatically be assumed to be dementia. Physical illness, pain, medication, sensory loss, depression and other health conditions can also cause changes in behaviour and functioning. A proper medical assessment is therefore important.
Caring with dignity
If someone develops dementia, our care should not begin with asking, “What can this person no longer do?”
Instead, we can ask:
“What can this person still do, enjoy and contribute – and how can we support them to continue?”
Maintaining familiar routines, meaningful work and activities, relationships and a sense of belonging can help a person continue to live well. Activities should be adapted to the person’s changing abilities and interests rather than simply removed.
At Camphill, this means continuing to see the person before the diagnosis.
It means patience when something takes longer.
It means adapting communication when words become difficult.
It means offering choices in simple and meaningful ways.
It means maintaining familiar surroundings and routines wherever possible.
It means understanding that behaviour may be a form of communication.
And above all, it means protecting the person’s dignity, relationships and right to participate in community life.
The importance of knowing someone’s story
For our residents, their life story is an important part of their care. Knowing their favourite music, the work they enjoy, the people they love, the routines that comfort them, the things that make them laugh and the ways they communicate can help us support them when memory and communication become more difficult.
A diagnosis may change how we care for someone, but it does not change who they are.
This World Alzheimer’s Month, let us remember that good dementia care is not only about managing symptoms.
It is about continuing to see the person, honour their story, support their abilities and walk beside them with dignity.
Because even when memories change, the need for connection, belonging, purpose and love remains.
FASD Awareness
Know FASD. Make a Difference.
09 September was International Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Awareness Day: an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage greater understanding, support and inclusion for people living with FASD.
This October, Camphill is inviting you to take the OctSober Challenge! Whether you choose to:
- go alcohol-free for the whole month,
- take on an alcohol-free week, or
- simply cut down and pledge the difference you would normally spend on alcohol,
Pledge on the website and email your POP and your Octsober experience to fundraiser@camphill.co.za and win a lovely hamper of wine.
Your choice can make a difference.
Your pledge will help support Camphill residents living with FASD, creating greater opportunities for meaningful experiences, participation, support, and inclusion. You choose the challenge. You make the pledge. Together, we can make a difference.
Your October. Their opportunity. Let’s check in at the end of October.
