Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has visited the Mount Camphill Community in Wadhurst, to see the renovation works that have started at Pond House this month.
The Mount Camphill Community based in Wadhurst provides craft-based residential education for young adults aged 16-25 with learning disabilities in a respectful, community environment. Pond House is a large family house situated in the heart of Wadhurst and is a part of a pioneering new model of provision for young people with learning disabilities offering supported, independent, community co-housing for young adults who choose to live outside The Mount’s main campus, but within walking distance to it.
The work is being carried out by a local company based in Broad Oak, Heathfield and the renovation started earlier this week.
A crowdfunding campaign is also ongoing, aiming to raise further support for fixtures and fittings for Pond House. If you can, please support the fundraiser here.
Nusrat Ghani said: “The Mount Camphill Community is a fantastic asset to Wealden, helping young adults gain greater independence, create friendships, and equipping them with skills to help them engage in the community outside college life. When finished, Pond House will be a unique resource in the centre of the village and provide a steppingstone for some of Mount’s residents to fuller independent living. Cohousing is an innovative way to support people with learning disabilities and I’m pleased that the Mount are paving the way with this model in Wadhurst.”
Michael Hayes, co-houser at The Mount, who is keen to move to Pond House, said: “When I joined Cohousing my dream was to live in Wadhurst in Pond House. I used to be shy, but now I am more outgoing. I might make some new friends and join some new clubs and get a part time job because it only takes 5 minutes to walk into the village.”
