Our Community of about 200 people is situated right on the shores of Belfast Lough. Although only 8 miles (15 km) from Belfast we are placed in an agricultural setting, having over 100 acres to care for. This is done by our farmers, who also supply us with milk and meat, and our gardeners, who feed over 200 people with vegetables and fruit. All our land is worked Bio-dynamically. We live in 19 houses, some accommodating up to 18 people and some only 2. There is also a Hall for social, cultural events and the celebrating of Festivals, a new Training College and various other buildings used as classrooms and workshops.

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Approximately 35 children, aged from 7 to 19 years, live and attend school here. They have a variety of difficulties, problems and challenges to face in their lives, including epilepsy, brain damage, behaviour disturbances, communication problems and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Then there is a group of young people aged from 19 to 24 years, many of whom will have gone to school here. They participate in our Adult Education Programme, which helps to train and motivate people with special needs to grow and mature.

There are also many Adults who do not so easily fit into a category. These can be people who, having finished the Curative Education Training, remain in the Community to take on a variety of tasks, becoming teachers, housemothers, or workmasters, and who make Glencraig their home. There are also many families with children, from babies to adults, who are also fully part of the Community. There are many adults with special needs who, after their schooling and training, have also decided to stay and make Glencraig their home, and who form a strong adult Community.

Then there is another group of young people, who have come from all over the world, but mainly Europe, to spend a shorter or longer period meeting Community life, gaining experience following a course of training in College or University, or committing themselves to the three-year Training in Curative Education and Social Therapy.

One year volunteers follow the Introductory Training which includes statutory training in Care Work.

Glencraig is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of all children, young people and adults with learning disabilities who live, work and attend school within the Community.

Co-workers are expected to follow the Child and Adult Protection Policies and show respect and understanding for the person with special needs.

Each person, child or adult, has the right to live in a safe environment and to be protected from harm.

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The willingness and capacity to live as we do in Glencraig springs from the Community ideals that were realised by Dr. Konig and the founder members over 60 years ago. Those ideals comprise a willingness to sacrifice one's own intentions and wishes for the sake of another person, child or adult, in an attempt to care for, and heal the suffering of, the human being. This same ideal, extended to the earth, also drives the work upon the land. To live in a community in a practical, social and spiritual way, making the Christian festivals cultural highlights of the year, are what creates a Camphill Community.

The most important aspect to remember is that Camphill is a "way of life". You will not work so many hours a day and then go home - be "off from work". Perhaps it would be best to say that apart from your one day off a week your life will need to become a fully integrated part of Camphill Community living.

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Your room could very likely be next door to the children or adults. It would be your responsibility to listen for them in the night.

All the cooking, cleaning and household tasks of the House are shared by everyone. The children are in a learning situation and according to their abilities depend upon your active example. A timetable, or rota, is drawn up by the house community to cover all these needs.

Some of the evenings will be spent at House evenings, where you will have a role to play in contributing to the practical running of the house, or preparing for a festival, or discussing ways to help and encourage progress in the children. There will also be time needed in the evening to meet with the teacher with whom you work. Some Training Course lessons take place in the evenings, and, naturally, cultural, social and festival events may also happen then.

If you live in an Adult house then the above timetable is also applicable, but the emphasis is less intense. The element of Education is replaced by that of Training/Work. The adult/child relationship is replaced by that of Adult to Adult, and is one of brotherliness. Despite the adult with special needs having as many problems and similar burdens in life as the child, the adult work and life should be understood as sharing, caring for and living with my brother, just as he does for me!

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Our new school year starts every August. An Induction Course is held, providing insight into policies and community life. These are obligatory for all new co-workers.

During this course you will be undergoing assessment.

Should issues arise in connection with suitability to the task of care work, or integration into community life, you may be asked to repeat the induction course or to leave. Depending on the issue this may be at very short notice. Assessment is made through individual tutorials. On successful completion of this Course you will be accepted into the Foundation Course.

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We are interested essentially in having people join Glencraig who can commit themselves for a minimum period of one year. This is necessary not only for the children's or adults' sense of security, stability and potential progress, but also because you will need at least 6 months to settle in to this very particular way of life before you are able to give to others of your best. However, we do occasionally have vacancies that occur for a shorter period.

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It is important, should you decide to come to Glencraig, that you would have an adequate command of the English language. This is because most of our children have communication difficulties and we, as co-workers, must be able to speak a reasonable amount of English to be able to help and communicate with our children. Many of their frustrations can be understood and resolved if the children can be helped to express themselves. There can arise considerable difficulties if the co-worker is not able to converse freely in English.

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Should your stay be less than 6 months, please ensure that you have the appropriate insurance to cover incidental medical or dental treatment. We advise you to have any outstanding, anticipated medical and dental treatment completed, before your arrival. People staying longer than 6 months will be covered for medical/dental treatment.

It is also important that you tell us of any physical or mental health problems prior to your arrival, so that we have a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses when placing you in the Community.

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1. You should come with sufficient and suitable clothing, both for outside work in wet weather, and for formal occasions (a dress or good trousers).
2. You will be expected to follow the Introductory Training consisting of Induction Course and Foundation Course.
3. We do not accept private vehicles. There is an efficient public transport system of bus and train in the immediate vicinity.
4. You will receive £100 pocket money a month.
5. If you stay for 12 months you will receive £450 holiday money. Some holiday money will be given to those who stay for 6 months. You must pay for your travel from your present location to Glencraig and back again.
6. You will have 5 weeks holiday if you stay for one whole year. These must be taken in consultation with senior co-workers, as they must be arranged to suit the needs of the children and adults in our care. Some holiday time will be given to those who stay for 6 months.
7. You will have 1 day off per week.

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