PROJECTS

The Camphill Community Glencraig, referred to as Glencraig below is situated in Northern Ireland between Belfast and Bangor, it is on a beautiful estate of 100 acres (45 hectares) with woods, fields and parklands sloping down to the shore of Belfast Lough. It is part of the International Camphill Movement started in 1939 by Dr Karl Konig. Glencraig established in 1954 provides a unique approach to supporting children, young people and adults with learning disabilities. The Glencraig Community also promotes social, cultural, artistic and sustainable environmental practices.

Glencraig offers opportunities for volunteers from all over the world, who wish to come for a gap-year or to broaden their personal experiences. This is an inclusive project where volunteers have the option of supporting people with special needs in 2 areas and volunteering in our Market Garden. The three areas where the volunteers can be engaged are listed below:

• Option 1 Residential Care, supporting adults with a learning disability in a residential setting
• Option 2 The School, supporting pupils with special needs in an educational setting
• Option 3 Market Garden, the volunteer will be involved in horticultural activities to provide high quality organic produce for the Glencraig Community

All volunteers must be willing to live and work with other volunteers in a Community setting. An important aspect of volunteering at Glencraig is the interaction between the volunteers and how they support each other. The majority of the volunteers live together in one house, where they prepare meals and socialise with each other. This creates an environment where the volunteers look after each other. The volunteers are also involved in organising cultural activities for other people in Glencraig.

Glencraig has a long history of supporting international volunteers which forms a significant part of our model of practice. From the 1960's until this current year, about 20 - 40 international volunteers would come and stay for approximately a year at Glencraig. At present there are 20 volunteers from 12 different countries.

The volunteers involved in the different areas mentioned above will be involved in the following activities:

• Option 1 Residential Care, the volunteer will be involved in a wide range of activities together with the residents including the following:
  • Sharing healthy meals together with the residents and other staff members
  • Encouraging the residents to exercise by going for walks and other activities
  • Supporting the residents to prepare meals, baking, cleaning and tidying up around the house
  • Participating in environmental projects with the residents that includes gardening, cleaning the local beach and the community
  • Taking part in cultural activities with the residents that includes dancing, singing, craft and artistic activities
  • Celebrating festivals and other cultural events e.g. Birthdays and Special Events
  • Socialising with the residents listening to stories, playing games, watching movies, documentaries and TV programmes
  • Providing additional support to the Residents when required
• Option 2 The School, the volunteer will be involved in the following activities:
  • Supporting the pupils in daily lessons and activities
  • Encouraging the pupils to exercise by going for walks and other activities
  • Supporting the pupils to prepare meals, baking, cleaning and tidying up around the school
  • Participating in environmental projects that includes gardening and other projects
  • Taking part in cultural activities that includes dancing, singing, playing games, listening to stories and artistic activities
• Option 3 Market Garden, the volunteer will be involved in the following activities:
  • Sowing, weeding, watering and harvesting crops
  • Assist with the delivery of produce to Community areas including seasonal fruits and vegetables
  • Support organic and sustainable horticultural practices at Glencraig
  • Involved in activities that promote Biodiversity at Glencraig

All international volunteers at Glencraig must have a good understanding and ability to communicate in English. The volunteer will receive free Board and Lodging as well as Pocket Money of £195 per month. To apply you must be between 18 to 35 years by the date your volunteering begins, have the funds available to cover your travel costs and the visa costs indicated in stage 5 below of our application process.

• All volunteers must have an interest in the following:

· Promoting inclusion for people with special needs and fewer opportunities

· Willing to engage with people who have a learning disability

· Enthusiastic to work in an environment with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and a wide range of abilities

· Undertake physical work that may be outdoors in a variety of weather conditions

· Willing to engage in social and cultural activities outside of the primary volunteering activities

• The volunteer should be interested in nurturing the following qualities in themselves and others:

· Patient, supportive, respectful and be able to care for themselves and others

· Intercultural learning, the ability to communicate in different languages and by using other communication techniques e.g. Makaton

· Creativity, with ability to think on their feet and adapt to the environment to provide enriching positive experiences for yourself and others

· Skills and competence that will support their continual professional and personal development

· Responsible, positive, enthusiastic attitude, increased understanding and awareness of yourself and others

• For Volunteers engaged in Option 1 and 2 above, they must be willing to:

· Provide intimate and personal care to the people they are supporting at Glencraig. This may include helping someone to have a shower, bath, going to the toilet and helping the person to eat.

· Support people who may display challenging behaviour this can involve verbal and physical outbursts

• There are five stages in the Glencraig Volunteer Application process:

Stage 1 – You will need to complete an online application.                                                                                                                                                                        

Stage 2 – If your application is successful, you will be invited to participate in an online interview.

Stage 3 – After the online interview, if it is decided you are suitable for the project you will need to provide some additional information, and you may also have to complete an English Test.

Stage 4 - If everything is satisfactory in the 3 stages above you will be informed that you have been selected for the project. If selected, you will need to complete an Access NI application (the criminal record check for Northern Ireland) and provide specified documents to Glencraig.

Stage 5 – After you have received your Access NI clearance, we will provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for a UK Charity Worker visa, for further information please click on the following link: Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work): Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The cost of the visa is £298 and you will also have to pay an additional Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035. Please note that as part of the visa application process you do not need £1,270 savings in your bank account. The Camphill Community Glencraig as an A-rated sponsor will certify your maintenance, however you need to be aware that you are not able to claim public funds whilst in the UK.

If you are a UK or Irish Citizen you will not have to complete stage 5 above. If you are from other countries, you will need to complete stage 5 and you must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after the end of the period you wish to volunteer at Glencraig.