Clare Haughey MSP visited the Camphill Corbenic Community this week
A government minister has contributed to an initiative which aims to boost mental wellbeing through art.
Camphill Scotland welcomed Clare Haughey MSP, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Mental Health, to the Corbenic Camphill Community in Perthshire on Wednesday (5 June).
During the visit, the minister planted a tree on Corbenic’s Poetry Path, and met staff, volunteers and other members of the community who were able to update the minister about the development of the path and its exhibits, and about its contribution to cultural life in Scotland.
The Poetry Path features poetry, sculptures and other art forms. It is set in the grounds of the old Drumour Shooting Lodge and estate, and the path meanders through a variety of terrains including open hillside, moorland, ancient native woodlands, hazel coppice, and riverbanks.
Jon Plunkett, care and support manager, said: “The Corbenic Camphill Community deeply appreciates the time that the minister has given to come and learn about our model of care provision, with the value it places on creativity and culture and the contribution it makes to the care sector in Scotland.
“The minister was introduced to both the residential side of our community, a place that 39 adults with learning disabilities know as home, and also to our therapeutic workshops where they join with other day participants in a wide range of creative and meaningful work opportunities. We were delighted that the minister was able to mark her visit by planting a tree on The Corbenic Poetry Path, in-doing-so joining a long list of residents, day participants, poets, sculptors and volunteers from all over the world who have contributed to the path.”
The minister also had an opportunity to find out more about Corbenic Camphill’s approaches to care and support for people with learning disabilities and other support needs. During her visit the Minister spoke to some of the nationals from other EU countries, and from non-EU countries, who work and live at Corbenic. She heard first-hand about their significant contribution to Corbenic Camphill, and to the work of the other Camphill communities in Scotland and about the potential impact of Brexit upon these communities.
Haughey said: “It was interesting to learn more about the unique model of care and support in place for people with learning disabilities and other support needs at Corbenic Camphill. It was clear to see that creativity is highly valued at the centre and creates a welcoming and stimulating environment for all.
“Corbenic Camphill is a great example of a charity doing valuable work that could be significantly harmed by Brexit. I heard first-hand about the important contribution EU nationals make to all the Camphill communities across Scotland and the devastating effect Brexit will have on their services. I would like to reassure EU nationals that their contribution to Scotland is valued and we want them to stay.”
