The Village Of Botton

[Ric.ror]

I have always followed any news about this village with interest - its a brilliant idea and should have more publicity.
However an item on todays morning breakfast show confused me. It would some of the helpers in the village are now to receive a salary instead of being volunteers - surely thats a good thing to acknowledge them

[steg]

Is it split down the middle?

[Svejk]

/// its a brilliant idea and should have more publicity///
Is it a collective, a socialist utopia? Is it real/ on-line?

[sunny-dave]

I've supported Botton for years - it's a wonderful place - and is being ruined by the change from a voluntary structure (where the co-workers receive accomodation and living expenses but not much else) to a paid carer system.

It will go from being a proper co-operative where the residents (mainly people with Down's Syndrome) are treated equally with the co-workers in every way, to yet another paid carer system with all the us/them paternalistic attitudes that go with this way of providing care.

The existing co-workers have been fighting the change - I still hope they may succeed.

[sunny-dave]

This explains the background to the dispute :

http://www.channel4.com/news/camphill-village-trust-botton-learning-disabled-residents-career-volunteers

[ummmm]

Is this what was on the news this morning where carers live in the same premises?

[Captain2]

For reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botton,_North_Yorkshire

[sunny-dave]

This puts the views of the people who wish the Community to remain a co-operative.

I 100% agree with them :

http://www.actionforbotton.org/

[mrs_overall]

Trust me, the carers would lose out on a salary. Their expenses are very generous.
There would also be changes to the living arrangements. At the moment, 6 to 8 residents live in each house with houseparents and the arrangement works well for all

[sunny-dave]

It is a place like no other, Mrs O?

If I had a relative with Down's I'd want them to live there, rather than just about any other care facility I've ever seen (and I've seen many in my professional and personal life).

[ummmm]

It sounds idyllic.

[whiskeryron]

Big brother interfering yet again ?

[mrs_overall]

It is THE most fabulous place for the residents to live.
It is set in the bottom of a gorgeous valley and they have everything there. They have a farm, bakery, woodworking shop and they sell the most superb produce (especially jam) they make in situ.
The residents live in a proper home with carers and the carers family.
I support this village whatever way I can

[Ric.ror]

I'm giving Sunny Dave the best answer for now but be assured Mrs O I shall give you a turn too
Thank you for the links - I have always been interested in this village - its a great idea and should be replicated throughout the country.

[tonyav]

I have never heard or seen anything of this place Botton, it certainly sounds worthy of support though.

[Ric.ror]

Would I be right in thinking the carers are like adoptive parents?

[mrs_overall]

Ric, not exactly like adoptive parents - a lot of the residents are older than the carers.
The beauty of it is that the residents are living in small groups in absolutely stunning houses (Each one is individually designed and no expense was spared on the interior). Some of the carers are single and some are married with families. There is a primary (Steiner) school in the village for the carers children. The residents have a wide range of (mental) disabilities but all have the opportunity to live as part of a family.

Just as an aside regarding no expense spared - about 20 years ago I had a relative who was site foreman on a new house that was being built there. There were some spare kitchen floor tiles left over and he asked me if I wanted them as I was looking for new flooring for my utility room. Bear in mind how long ago this was - the tiles were hand made in Italy and cost £40 each.

As I said in my earlier reply, the volunteers live for free and receive very generous expenses. If, as Big Brother wants, they were to receive a wage they would actually be far worse off as they would have to pay for their accommodation, food etc.
Volunteers come from all over the world.

[marval]

I have a friend who lives in Botton, she is very happy there. It certainly is a wonderful place.