Meet our trustees
Camphill Families and Friends is run by a group of volunteer trustees, many of whom have a family member with learning disabilities in Camphill.
Mary Pearson
Chair
Camphill first struck a chord when my daughter Marina, who has Down’s Syndrome, was a baby. I read about their belief in the whole person behind the disability. Through living in community with people skilled in social therapy, the person can develop fully as a human being and find their contribution and unique path in life. Marina went to the Sheiling School at Ringwood, then the Mount, and now lives in the Grange. Her life in Camphill has been filled with warm relationships, beauty, rich experience and real achievements, and she is truly loved. I have been a trustee of Camphill Families and Friends for several years. Before that, as a trustee of RESCARE, I lobbied Ministers and Government officials on behalf of people with learning disabilities and their families.
Chris Hazlehurst
Treasurer
My connection to Camphill is through my son. I got to know several Camphills when searching for the right one for him. I was impressed that each one provided a calm, respectful and dignified environment to support people with different needs. My son was a student at The Mount for 3½ years and then moved to Sturt’s Farm. Both communities are places where he has enjoyed a fulfilling way of life and where he has made genuine connections to people of his own age.
Anna Eddleston
Secretary
My sister has been with Camphill for over fifteen years, having been previously a student at The Mount and now a very happy resident at Grange Village. I’m passionate about the importance of involving families and friends in supporting Camphill life – especially siblings. My background is in Sociology but my career has taken me into the world of charity marketing. For the past nine years I’ve worked in third sector communications for a series of charities. My work includes writing content for websites, utilising social media and promoting charities in local media and supporting the development of publications such as leaflets, newsletters and posters.
Clare Woodcock
Membership Secretary
My brother has lived at Botton Village since the mid-1990s. My parents had been members of Camphill Families and Friends for many years but it was only as they grew older and my sister and I realised it was time for us to take more of an interest in our brother’s affairs that we came across Camphill Families and Friends. I’m keen to support siblings as they become more involved in their brother or sister’s support. I work in the community and voluntary sector on a project bringing together people working and volunteering with adults drawing on care and support across statutory, health, and voluntary and community sectors organisations.
Jeremy Trevethick
Trustee
Initially from Sheffield, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1972 and pursued a career initially in the profession and subsequently in industry. Since retiring, I have taken on the role of Trustee with Camphill Families and Friends. I am married to Marti and we have three grown up boys, one of whom, James, has lived in various Camphill communities since he was 9 years old. He currently lives in The Hatch Community in Thornbury. We have lived in East Molesey, Surrey for the past 30 years.
Nicky Ferguson
Trustee
My interest in Camphill was sparked by my daughter who did not “fit in” or cope well with mainstream nurseries or primary education but found herself at ease in a Steiner-influenced kindergarten and small school. She was home educated for six years before attending William Morris College. She is now living a useful and happy life in a Camphill community. I am very concerned that central government have made backdoor funding cuts to people with learning disabilities by cutting local authority budgets at the same time as hugely increasing the administrative and reporting burden on communities. I believe all of us have a right to be occupied and feel useful and safe in a supportive community. I have lived in the UK’s first purpose built cohousing community since its inception. I have had a very varied working life and currently work as a consultant in the area of information and technology standards for higher education and research.
Jane Vizard
Trustee
My daughter first joined a Camphill community while I was still working abroad as an international broadcasting lawyer. On my return to England, I was invited to become a trustee of Camphill Families and Friends – a role I’ve now held for the several years. I am a fervent supporter of intentional community living and I believe that it offers a most enriching environment for people with learning disabilities: a blend of a safe, supportive community and a lifestyle founded on sharing and caring for each other. Every parent of someone with a lifelong learning disability wonders “What will happen when I am gone?”. In my experience, few living arrangements offer the peace of mind that intentional communities do.
Although my daughter now lives in her own supported-living flat closer to my home, her years in Camphill remain a treasured experience. I hope that I will be able to help make the case that the Camphill model of living should be not only supported but promoted as a most civilised and enlightened form of provision for people with learning disabilities.