Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill is a Scottish charity founded in 1987, dedicated to supporting adults with learning disabilities through the Camphill ethos. Our mission is to nurture a resilient and compassionate community committed to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. We believe every individual has a unique purpose, and we strive to empower them to live full and meaningful lives. As a Foundation Year Co-worker, you will play a vital role in upholding these values by supporting our residents in their daily routines, work, and leisure, with the guidance of our senior care and support team.

Workshops: Our residents engage in meaningful daily work through two key workshops: gardening and crafting. Gardening: You'll help maintain our garden in Peterculter, contribute to local garden upkeep, and tend to our kitchen gardens at Craigievar. This work connects residents to nature and fosters a sense of purpose through the process of nurturing food from seed to table. Crafting: Located just a five-minute walk from our main house, the craft workshop is a hub of creativity, offering materials and opportunities to explore knitting, felting, painting, and more. You'll support residents while developing your own creative skills. Life in the Home: Our residents range in age from 18 to 60, each with unique support needs. You will: Provide assistance in line with individual support plans. Help residents maintain daily routines, including providing direct personal care and engaging in household chores. Leisure Activities: We believe in leading full and joyful lives. You'll support residents in enjoying activities such as: building skills in homemaking, cooking, and baking. Outings to cafes, restaurants, and shops. Day trips, holidays, or social events. Exercise activities like swimming, walking, cycling, or gym visits. Connecting and building relationships through shared experiences. Festivals and Celebrations: Festivals, holidays, and birthdays are central to life at Tigh a'Chomainn, helping us connect with the rhythm of the year. As a Foundation Year Co-worker, you'll play an active role in preparing for and celebrating these occasions, discovering new traditions and creating memorable experiences. HOW YOU'LL GROW: Joining Tigh a'Chomainn is a unique vocational experience, offering: • A meaningful long-term volunteering opportunity where you'll become an integral part of our community. • Real-life experience caring for and supporting adults with learning disabilities, gaining skills transferable to careers in medicine, social work, teaching, or other fields. • Opportunities to participate in community and team meetings, share ideas, and develop personally and professionally. • A chance to embrace a new adventure, whether on a gap year, career break, or seeking a change of environment. WHAT WE PROVIDE: Training: • Log of all your training and any certificates you have earned during your stay. • Access to online training two weeks prior to your arrival to help you prepare. • On-site induction and training upon arrival. • Shadowing experienced co-workers until you feel confident in your role. • Ongoing training, support and supervision opportunities throughout the year. • A signed reference letter upon the completion of your placement, detailing the quality of your work and contributions during your placement.

Accommodation is on-site or a short walk away, depending on availability. It will be a private room equipped with a bed, storage, and Wi-Fi with access to a shared bathroom. There is access to laundry facilities. There is access to our bike shed and opportunities to join community trips, outings and holidays. POCKET MONEY AND ALLOWANCES: A monthly subsistence allowance of £200 is provided for personal expenses. All essential items, including meals, accommodation, and personal care items are available. HOLIDAYS: Volunteers completing a 12-month placement will be entitled to 4 weeks of holiday leave. For placements shorter than 12 months, holidays will be allocated on the basis of 1 week of leave for every 3 months of work.

All meals are provided, with access to larders and kitchens for personal meal preparation. You will be expected to eat at communally.

You can utilise the local medical centre, gym, cafes, bars, and restaurants. A convenient bus links to Aberdeen City Centre and is free for those under 22. We boast a beach with a dolphin gazing cafe, golf course, surfing and a small amusement park. Aberdeen offers an array of free attractions like museums, shows, botanical parks and galleries. The city also offers opportunities for vibrant nightlife, with a variety of cultural and social events to explore.

All applicants must send on application a completed VEF and then will receive a Camphill application form. Zoom Interviews: will be arranged individually. After the Zoom interview, if confirmed on the project, applicants should send a certificate of good conduct police check from your home country and the names and contact details of 2 referees. UK VISA COSTS: All Foundation Year Co-workers will need to apply for a Temporary Work – Charity Worker which offers a stay of up to 12 months. The application fee for this VISA is £298. To apply for the Charity Workers VISA, you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) which will be provided by Concordia at the cost of £25. For the long-term placement of a year, you will have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which will cost £1035 this allows you to access the National Healthcare Service during your stay in the UK. You will be supported to sign up with a general practitioner (GP) upon your arrival to Tigh a’Chomainn.

We're seeking individuals with a can-do attitude, a reasonable level of physical fitness, a genuine interest in helping others, and a conversational level of English. No previous experience is required—just a passion for making a difference and a willingness to grow alongside our community. We welcome applications from individuals aged 18 to 25 from Europe, Australia, North and South America, and East Asia. If you're looking for a meaningful experience to grow as a person and make a positive impact, we encourage you to apply. A placement at Tigh a'Chomainn Camphill offers an unforgettable experience of living and working with purpose. If you're ready for a meaningful adventure and the opportunity to make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you!