Shaping Our Mission and Vision Together 

Our mission and vision are more than words on a page. They are how we describe who we are, what we value, and what makes Camphill MK special. 

They help residents, participants, staff, volunteers, trustees, families and friends understand what we are here to do — and how we want people to feel when they live, work, learn or spend time with us. 

Our history will always be part of us. But the way we put our Camphill values into practice must continue to grow and change, as society changes and as the people we support change too. 

It would be easy to write a new mission and vision behind closed doors, finding clever phrases and polished statements. But if the process is going to mean anything, it has to begin with the people who know Camphill MK best: the people we support, and the staff and volunteers who are alongside them every day. 

That is why our Mission and Vision process began at a Community Assembly in February 2026. We talked together about what a mission and vision statement is, why it matters, and why everyone’s voice should be part of shaping it. 

In April, residents, staff and workshop participants came together for a whole day to explore the history of the Camphill movement and the beginnings of Camphill Milton Keynes. We also introduced the idea of head, hands and heart — thinking, doing and feeling — as a simple way to reflect on what matters most to us. 

Everyone was invited to take time to think about what is important about life at Camphill MK: what it means to live here, work here, learn here and contribute here. People were encouraged to share their views through presentations, performances, stories, photographs, words and creative responses. 

Our Mission and Vision Day itself took place in our wonderful Chrysalis Theatre with everyone welcomed into the space for a day of listening, sharing and imagining the future together. 

We began with introductions and getting-to-know-you activities, followed by presentations from residents and participants about what Camphill MK means to them. Through poetry, song, acting, dancing, photographs and spoken words, people showed us what head, hands and heart look like in everyday community life. 

These creative contributions were co-produced by care staff, residents, participants and workshop teams. Around the room, mixed groups worked together to talk about what we do at Camphill MK — how we use our hands, and how our activity contributes to work, learning and daily life. 

Again and again, certain words came through: making, activity, skill, purpose, contribution and work. When we moved on to thinking — how we use our heads — people spoke about learning, growth, reflection, curiosity and understanding. 

Finally, we turned to our hearts, and to the feelings that shape our community and our work. We were proud, but not surprised, to hear words such as belonging, community, inclusion, love and kindness. 

Lunch was another reminder of what community looks like in practice. Our café team prepared a shared meal of topped jacket potatoes, with many ingredients contributed by our gardening workshop. To finish, we enjoyed Camphill-grown rhubarb crumble, prepared by our bakery workshop. 

After all that delicious food, our long-serving co-worker Joan led us in a Eurythmy session — a gentle and joyful way to move together before the afternoon’s activities. 

One of the most memorable parts of the day was a large collaborative workshop on our green. Three wicker sculptures were installed outside: a stag for hands (and action), an owl for head (and creative thought), and our Camphill Angel for Heart (and compassion for our community). Everyone wrote, or was supported to write, a word that represented Camphill MK for them on a strip of fabric. 

Together, we tied the fabric to the sculptures. As the wind moved through the strips, the structures became colourful, lively and full of individual voices — a simple but powerful picture of our community. 

The Mission and Vision Day was an important step in reflecting on who Camphill MK is today, and who we want to become in the future. Most importantly, it reminded us that our mission and vision must be shaped by the people at the heart of our community — together. 

Words: Tim Davies.

Photography by Karen Kodish​.