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Our buildings

At Camphill Village Trust, our communities are enriched by a range of historic buildings that make each location truly special and unique. These buildings are not just places to live and work; they are a testament to our deep-rooted history and commitment to creating environments where everyone feels valued and at home.

One of our community buildings
One of our community buildings
One of our community buildings

Unique and historic properties

We are the custodians of a diverse, unique and historic property portfolio often set within picturesque landscapes, surrounded by gardens, woodlands, and fields that further enhance the tranquil and nurturing environment we strive to provide. The character of these buildings, combined with their natural surroundings, plays a vital role in creating a sense of peace, creativity, and connection among those who live and work here.

Wonderful communities

From the Jacobean splendour of Delrow House, Watford, to the rugged exterior of Botton Hall in the Yorkshire moors, we have a proud heritage in our properties which whilst challenging in so many ways, helps create a truly unique and beautiful environment to live and work in.

Our land

At Camphill Village Trust, our communities are nestled within breathtaking landscapes, as the Trust boasts 909 acres of land across all our communities, offering ample space for our community members to thrive in harmony with nature.

In our Natural Capital 2023/24 audit we found that 93% of the Trust is grassland and woodland, which is predominantly found in our Botton Village and Oaklands Park communities.

Our Co-production initiative, Wild and Wonderful, brings together groups from across our communities to explore and learn about the rich biodiversity within our sites. Through this project, participants engage in hands-on learning about different habitats, animal species, and ways to care for the environment.

So far, Wild and Wonderful has helped identify over 900 species of plants and animals living on Camphill Village Trust-owned land. This data has been gathered and will be cross-referenced with wider locality data to create a comprehensive list that supports future conservation and environmental stewardship efforts across our communities.

Maintenance of our buildings and land

Our PALS (Property and Land Service team) are committed to the efficient management and maintenance of 365 individual property structures and 909 acres of farmland, gardens, woods and countryside, as well as being the friendly face of our communities. There is work to do, but with a new Asset Management system (Concerto) now fully operational and providing access to a wealth of detailed information, we now have the tools and the team to transform our service delivery and begin to build a service that we can all be proud of.

During 2024 we are beginning to build programmes of routine/preventative maintenance for every property. Initiating cyclical programmes of redecoration and improvement and are investing in the region of £1.6M per year for the next 5 years, to improve our homes, offices, and creative spaces. We are building new partnerships with contractors and expert advisers to ensure we invest wisely and can preserve our incredible communities for the next 70 years.

2 members of the property and land team
People in a garden outside

Land management and sustainability

We will utilise the land and spaces across our sites to deliver our Green Care activities. These will have a positive impact on their communities and unlock potential by providing greater access to nature and education opportunities for the people we support.

This will include: woodlands and other natural and semi-natural rural spaces, agricultural lands and farms and urban and suburban green spaces.

We will unlock the potential of our land assets providing access to nature through cycle paths, walks and rural retreats and education opportunities.

IOSH

Our team completed IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) training. This ensures that our team remains equipped with the highest standards of health and safety knowledge, allowing us to maintain our properties and land while prioritizing the well-being of everyone in our communities.

IOSH logo