Mayor of MK Awards 2025

Apr 1, 2025

On Friday, April 4th, we attended the M ayor of Milton Keynes Awards 2025 because we are finalists in two categories!

Congratulations to all the winners!

We’re delighted to have scooped the Active Travel Award! Tom accepted it, recognising our residents’ hard work in reducing their reliance on cars and opting for greener travel options. Since November, they have travelled 600 miles sustainably as part of our Green Miles Scheme.

We were finalists for two awards. Read on to find out more!

1. Active Travel Award—This award goes to schools or workplaces that successfully implement active travel schemes. We’ll be celebrating our Green Mile Scheme, which sees residents find alternative travel options to the car.

Camphill Milton Keynes may not seem like an obvious candidate for active travel as a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, but in 2024, we launched a Green Mile Project. The scheme encourages residents and their support workers to make better choices for transport than using the charity’s fleet of vehicles.

Our Residents reviewed MKCC’s city plan 2030, which includes reduced driving, more walking, other means of transport, and more electric vehicles. Residents decided on a points-based system with rewards for individuals, houses and the community. On achieving 1000 green miles, there would be a community picnic, 2000 miles for a community disco, and 5000 would win a community fun day.

Green Miles have been celebrated in our weekly newspaper ‘Camphill Chronicles’ and on social media, and in January, it was shared that since November, our residents have travelled almost 600 miles by sustainable transport. We celebrated that we will likely have saved 235kg of CO2, equivalent to planting 11 mature trees for a year’s worth of carbon capture! Cycling or walking 581 miles would burn around 58,100 calories (assuming about 100 calories per mile). That’s like munching on 580 bananas! 581 miles is nearly the journey from London to Edinburgh and back again and would cover a trip from Big Ben to the Giant’s Causeway over 25 times.

What an incredible achievement from a community that relied on car use for appointments, shopping, one-to-one time and general trips.

2. Care Givers Award – For those who care for family or residents in the community.

We are honoured to nominate the compassionate team at Kirtlington House, a newly established home within Camphill MK, for the Care Givers Award. This dedicated team has shown exceptional commitment in supporting three young men transitioning from college to independent living, embodying the values of person-centred care, inclusion, and empowerment.

We faced a challenge when approached to accommodate these individuals by a lack of housing. In response, the organisation rented a home in a nearby estate, and the Kirtlington team played a vital role in creating a structured and supportive environment. They developed personalised schedules and innovative communication methods, helping each resident thrive.

One resident, a talented artist, has gained recognition by sharing his artwork online and sending handmade cards. Another finds fulfilment in gardening and community involvement. The third, facing complex mental health challenges, channels his passion for cooking into contributing treats for the community. These successes highlight the team’s ability to unlock potential and foster purpose.

The house was carefully selected and customised to meet residents’ needs, with extensive planning, service specifications, and visual aids ensuring a smooth transition. Leadership has been crucial—Hope, the team leader, has actively pursued professional development in autism care, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

The team has significantly reduced one resident’s support needs through collaboration and trust-building, granting them greater independence. What was once a challenging integration has become a model of inclusion, with residents actively participating in community life.

The Kirtlington caregivers have not only provided outstanding support but have championed respect, empowerment, and independence. Their dedication has transformed lives, making them truly deserving candidates for the Care Givers Award.