Three National Donors Make Large Grants to Camphill MK

We are thrilled to announce three major grants from national donors!

The Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston and The Anson Charitable Trust have all pledged their support for our ambitious plans to create more housing for adults with disabilities. The grants have been awarded to us to support the first phase of our programme to build new accessible housing, with the donations totalling £320,000. 

Established in 1981, we provide support, accommodation, and day workshops for adults with learning disabilities and autism. Our community has struggled with a lack of space for some years, with a long waiting list of local referrals and more enquiries from individuals requiring accessible wet rooms and areas with adaptive technologies. The existing buildings are 40+ years old, with some unable to offer the level of access and space necessary for individuals with additional access needs. 

Our CEO, Tim, commented on the generous gifts, “These grants have come at a critical time for us. We will be starting work this spring, and it means a lot that such prestigious grant-makers have chosen to support us. The team at Camphill has been working on the building plans for six years, undergoing consultations, planning development, tendering, and fundraising – we are excited that this is starting to become very real.”  

The Wolfson Foundation has announced more than £19m worth of grants awarded across the UK this month, supporting projects from across the UK. Camphill MK started talking to them about their expansion plans more than a year ago and has been awarded £100,000. 

Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, Paul Ramsbottom, said: “Wolfson first supported the Camphill movement in the 1960s and we are pleased to award a grant to the first phase of this important project at Camphill Milton Keynes. The new accessible accommodation will allow Camphill MK to support more people with learning disabilities and autism to live, learn and work in community with others.”

The Garfield Weston Foundation has made a £200,000 donation, receiving a detailed proposal and visits to Camphill MK. 

Foundation Director, Philippa Charles, said, “The Trustees commented on the importance of high-quality facilities to enable those with disabilities to lead their most independent life and to reach their potential; we are delighted to support this important project”.

And the trustees of The Anson Charitable Trust, based in Buckinghamshire, offered a significant grant of £20,000. Trustee George Anson got to know the charity well when he was High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire (2021-22). He stated, “demand has never been greater, and we are hugely supportive of the services that Camphill MK provides to the wider community. We are delighted to be part of this next development phase.”

So far, we have secured 90% of the required funds for the first phase of building works which will see 12 bedrooms built. Our target is 60 rooms over the next five years, so much campaigning is yet to be done. 

You can support Camphill MK by making a donation here