In Kyle we recognise that one situation cannot
accommodate the needs of every individual in relation to their home life; we have therefore developed a number of different living situations.

Tigh Eoin

Most of us enjoy the hustle and bustle of life in one of the three main community houses Ard Lui, Tigh Eoin, and Bogha Baisti; don't let the names put you off, they are Irish for 'a high place', 'the house of John' and 'Rainbow'.

Ard Lui

They are quite different house communities, the characteristics depending on the people living there.

In each of them, four people with special needs live together with four or five young volunteers and two or three long-term co-workers, plus a cat or two and maybe even a dog as well, not to speak of tropical fish.

Bogha Baisti

Obviously, everyone has their own room, and the long-term co-workers, some of whom have children, have more space with a degree of privacy as well.

However, Brahim and Linda and their two lovely daughters Jasmine and Sarah have their own accommodation in a flat above the weavery.

So to do Glen, Marian and Pat: they have special needs one of which is a more peaceful and smaller setting. So they each have their own place to live, Pat on his own, the others with the support of two co-workers.

Old folks, like Tamar and Baruch, now retired after over 50 years work in Camphill also have their own home, Bridget house, and Susanne has her own flat above the store. But what-ever your living situation and whoever you are you will be contributing to the life in your house according to your possibilities and abilities.

Emma, in her wheelchair, loves to help clear the dining room table, placing the spreads, jams, butter etc on the tray of her wheelchair which she then propels to the kitchen (being careful not to exceed the speed limit!); there her load is transferred to the fridge.

John Paul would literally feel deprived if he weren't in on the table laying and drying of the dishes for every meal; and Mickey too would feel put out of his job if someone else wiped the tables and swept the dining room floor.

Don't think, however, the co-workers and volunteers sit with their legs up doing nothing: there's still the cooking, laundry and cleaning to be done. But even there the people they support will be present and helping to the extent that they can.

Rest hour, the precious time after lunch has been cleared away and the dishes done, before getting back to work 14.45, and the evenings too, are times to relax, listen to music or watch a video, read or play games; and on a long summer evening to go out for a walk or play outside.