Experience a Year in an International Life Sharing Community

Location: England: Rural Areas

Program Duration: 7-12 months (includes high school academic year abroad), 1-2 years, over 2 years

Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months

Dates: Varying dates, depending on the program

The Lantern Community

Folly Farm Lane, Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2NN England

Description

The Lantern Community was set up in the early 1980's to provide meaningful home, work and social lives for the adults with learning difficulties who had graduated the Shieling School (a special school which is just next door) but felt that it was their home and did not want to have to move on and make a new life elsewhere.

Since then the Lantern has grown into a thriving community with a population of over sixty people all of whom live, work and play together. Life for volunteers is very full with their time spent supporting the adults with learning disabilities who live here in all areas of their lives. Also working alongside them and supporting them in our busy "workshops". The day is spent in either the Bakery, Shop, Cafe, Weavery, Pottery, Seasonal Craft, Woodwork, Art Studio, Plant Nursery, creating meals in the houses or "on the Land" caring for our 15 acres of park and wood land or growing vegetables and fruits in the Enclosed Garden.

The evenings are also busy with social and cultural activities taking place two or three times a week. On the other evenings the volunteers enjoy a healthy social life often choosing to join in outings or improvised music nights with the volunteers from the two neighboring Communities, situated very nearby.

Full training in Holistic Health and Social Care is offered by the Lantern to our one year volunteers as part of The Foundation Programme. These trainings result in a level 2 or 3 recognized qualification. The Foundation Programme is based on experiential learning. Volunteers need not worry about accommodation as they have rooms in our houses which they share with longer term volunteers and the special adults who live here. Both single rooms and double rooms are available. Volunteers receive GBP 35 per week pocket money and all food is provided. Living in the Lantern alongside adults with learning disabilities can be a very rewarding experience. These adults may have learning difficulties yet they can have so much to teach!

Highlights

The social life of the young volunteers here is excellent, the community is a neighbor to two other large intentional communities with their own populations of like minded international young people. This contributes to the development of the community which enables each individual living within it.

Qualifications

Initially, you do not need any qualifications to be accepted. Human capabilities and qualities are very important, as well as flexibility, a sense of humor, and patience. What you will need is an open heart and mind, stamina, and a willingness to respond to the needs of others, at any time.

Languages
  • English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

Credit Available

no

Salary/Pay
Health insurance is covered by the National Health Service of the UK. You will receive free accommodation, food and an allowance that will cover reasonable expenses.
Volunteer Types
  • Adult Education
  • Arts
  • Community Centers
  • Community Development
  • Community Organizing
  • Consciousness-raising
  • Cooking
  • Counseling
  • Culture
  • Disability Issues
  • Food
  • Gardening
  • Grassroots Organization
  • Handicapped
  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Organizational Development
  • Painting
  • Parks
  • Recreation
  • Sports
  • Volunteering
Typical Volunteer
Enthusiastic, caring, patient and with a sense of humour.
Age Range
18 - 80 upwards
This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African, Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Group living
  • Home-stays

Participants Travel to England

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • In-Person Interview when Feasible
  • Letters of Reference
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
one month
The Lantern Community's Mission Statement

Camphill is a worldwide movement dedicated to community living that supports and values the contributions of all community participants without regard to their intellectual or physical capabilities. Camphill communities have taken up many tasks. Among the most prominent are: 1) Providing education, advocacy, therapeutic care and other services to support people with special needs and help them participate fully in the world as contributing citizens; 2) Caring for and healing the earth, together with people with special needs, through sustainable and healthy methods of consumption, of agriculture and use of natural resources; and 3) Creating new social arrangements and intentional relationships that nurture the growth and development of individuals, inwardly and outwardly.

Year Founded

1981

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