Breaking ground on new residential home, social enterprise and a major funding boost for Murtle Market

The organisation, which is based across three campuses in the west of Aberdeen, has been providing day and residential support to children and young people with complex additional support needs and learning disabilities in the region for more than 80 years. It currently supports over 100 students and is aiming to raise £10 million over 10 years to expand its capacity by 60%.

Phase one of the Building Futures, Transforming Lives capital appeal will see the construction of a state-of-the-art sustainable 11-bedroom residential home on the charity’s Murtle Estate, near Bieldside, along with a zero waste social enterprise called Murtle Market, which is also situated on the Murtle Estate. It will sell organic produce, provide a refillery service, showcase the arts and crafts made by the students, as well as providing vital skills development and work experience for the young people.

The start of construction coincides with the announcement of a significant cash injection of £250,000 to Murtle Market from Social Investment Scotland (SIS), as part of the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund to accelerate the construction of Murtle Market. The fund is a £500 million, 10-year commitment to support projects in the north east and Moray that contribute towards the region’s transition to net zero.

Alex Busch, Executive Director at Camphill School Aberdeen, said: “Many of the children and young people who come to us have struggled to thrive in mainstream education or have faced having to move to residential care hundreds of miles away from their families. In addition, we have seen a huge increase in demand for our services in recent years, so we urgently need to increase our capacity both for day and residential pupils.

“Today is the culmination of two years of hard work to raise enough funding for us to be able to begin construction on the first phase of our 10-year vision. We would like to thank everyone who has supported our campaign so far. However, this is only the beginning – we still have some way to go before we reach our phase one target on our way to raising the full £10 million in 10 years.”

As part of the celebration of its capital appeal milestone celebration, Camphill School Aberdeen welcomed Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Màiri McAllan MSP for a tour of Camphill School Aberdeen, where she helped young people bury a time capsule and wishes for Murtle Market at the site of the social enterprise.

Ms McAllan said: “I am delighted to visit Murtle Market to see firsthand how this social enterprise is enabling Camphill’s young people to help shape our journey to net zero. Supported by the Scottish Government through the Social Enterprise Just Transition Fund, I’m excited to see the positive impacts and benefits this project will bring to the community and the young people involved.”

Dawn Rowan, whose son Seth has been a resident at Camphill School Aberdeen for almost two years, said: “Accepting that a residential placement was the best option for him was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do, however, it has also turned out to be the best decision I have ever made.

“Since becoming a resident at Camphill, Seth’s development has come on leaps and bounds from where he was and he has learned many new practical skills. The work they do at Camphill is invaluable for young people like Seth and the addition of a new residential home will allow others with complex needs to receive the support they need.”

Construction of the 11-bedroom residential house is being delivered by contractor Ogilvie with Burns delivering Murtle Market. Construction of the house is expected to be completed by Autumn 2024 with Murtle Markt due to open to the public Spring/Summer 2024.

To learn more about Camphill Schools Aberdeen’s capital appeal, visit www.camphillschools.org.uk/capital-appeal/