Social Enterprise of the Month – October 2025: Camphill Community Holywood

At Social Enterprise NI, we’re passionate about showcasing the incredible work of social enterprises across Northern Ireland. Every month, we highlight an organisation making a real difference in their community – and for October 2025, we’re absolutely delighted to shine a light on Camphill Community Holywood, a pioneering life-sharing community that’s been proving the power of inclusion, one freshly baked loaf at a time.

Where Community Meets Commerce in the Heart of Holywood

Founded in 1997, Camphill Community Holywood has created something truly special right in the centre of Holywood town – a thriving social enterprise where adults with learning disabilities and autism don’t just receive support, they actively contribute, develop their skills, and become valued members of a working community.

This brilliant organisation operates both a residential care home and a bustling organic café, bakery, and food store that serves the local community whilst providing meaningful employment and training opportunities. It’s a place where fresh sourdough rises alongside confidence, where every flat white served supports independence, and where the simple act of working together transforms lives.

As part of the worldwide Camphill movement – spanning over 100 communities in 23 countries – Camphill Holywood is connected to a global family that’s been championing inclusion and community since 1940.

The Life-Sharing Model: More Than Just Support

What sets Camphill Holywood apart is their unique life-sharing approach. This isn’t about staff and service users – it’s about community members, co-workers, and volunteers living and working alongside each other as equals, each person contributing their unique talents and skills.

The life-sharing philosophy means:

• Reciprocal relationships – Everyone gives and receives support, creating genuine interdependence
• Shared experiences – Working, living, and celebrating together builds real connections
• Mutual development – Everyone learns and grows, regardless of ability
• Natural equality – When we work side by side, barriers disappear
• Community belonging – Each person finds their place and purpose

As their guiding vision states: “In such a community, each person should say: ‘This community is right, and I want it to be so.'”

This philosophy transforms what could be a traditional care setting into a vibrant, purposeful community where everyone matters.

A Public-Facing Social Enterprise with Purpose

Camphill Community Holywood operates several integrated workplaces that marry retail, hospitality, and commerce with a supportive social, cultural, and educational experience.

The Camphill Café, Bakery & Shop

Located on Shore Road in Holywood town centre, their organic café and bakery is where the magic happens daily:

🥖 Fresh Organic Bakery – Artisan sourdough, wholesome breads, and delicious pastries made fresh on the premises every day

☕ Welcoming Café – Serving excellent organic vegetarian food, fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, and proper coffee in a warm, community atmosphere

🛒 Organic Food Store – Stocking wholesome, organic, and locally-sourced products for the conscious consumer

But this isn’t just any café – it’s a training ground, a confidence builder, and a window into what inclusive employment looks like when it’s done right.

Residential Life: A Home, Not an Institution

Camphill Holywood’s residential care provision is worlds away from traditional nursing home life. Here, independence is promoted, encouraged, and supported within a genuine community setting.

Home life at Camphill includes:

• Person-centred care – Support tailored to each individual’s needs and goals
• Active participation – Contributing to household tasks, cooking, and homemaking
• Cultural enrichment – Preparing for festivals, celebrations, and community events
• Skill building – Learning life skills in a supportive, real-world environment
• Social connection – Being part of an extended family group setting

Community members aren’t passive recipients of care – they’re active participants in creating the home environment, developing independence whilst enjoying the security of genuine support and belonging.

Day Opportunities: Expanding Community Impact

Beyond residential care, Camphill Holywood offers day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism who live in the wider community. These programmes provide:

These day opportunities mean Camphill’s impact extends far beyond their residential community, touching lives right across the local area.

Environmental and Social Values in Action

Camphill Holywood doesn’t just talk about values – they live them every single day:

Environmental Commitment

🌱 Organic everything – From ingredients to the products they stock
♻️ Responsible consumerism – Promoting sustainable, ethical choices
🥗 Wholefood vegetarian menu – Healthy, planet-friendly food
🌍 Local sourcing – Supporting other local and ethical producers

Social Mission

👥 Inclusive employment – Proving that everyone can contribute meaningfully
🎓 Skills and confidence building – Real training in real work environments
❤️ Community engagement – Connecting Holywood residents with Camphill life
🌟 Breaking down barriers – Showcasing abilities, not disabilities

Every decision, from the menu to the suppliers, reflects their commitment to being a force for good in the world.

The Camphill Global Family

Camphill Community Holywood is part of something much bigger – a worldwide movement founded in 1940 and inspired by the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. With over 100 communities in 23 countries, the Camphill movement has been pioneering inclusive, life-sharing communities for over 80 years.

The Camphill approach has stood the test of time because it works:

• Communities in Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia
• Thousands of adults and children with special needs supported worldwide
• Decades of proven outcomes in creating inclusive communities
• A model that’s been refined and perfected over generations
• Global network of shared learning and best practice

Being part of this international family means Camphill Holywood benefits from generations of wisdom whilst contributing their own innovations and insights to the worldwide movement.

Why This Work Matters for Northern Ireland

Traditional employment pathways for adults with learning disabilities remain frustratingly limited. Social enterprises like Camphill Community Holywood are proving there’s a better way, creating:

• Genuine employment opportunities that build real skills and confidence
• Community integration that breaks down stigma and misconceptions
• Sustainable support models that don’t rely solely on public funding
• Quality of life improvements through meaningful work and belonging
• Public awareness of the talents and abilities within the disabled community
• Economic contribution – a thriving business that serves the whole community

Camphill demonstrates that when we create the right environment, provide proper support, and genuinely believe in people’s potential, incredible things happen. They’re not just changing individual lives – they’re changing how we think about disability, employment, and community.

For more information, visit the Camphill Holywood Website: Holywood | Camphill Communities NI |