Cherry Orchards’ Memorandum and Articles of Association say:
Rudolf Steiner (1861 to 1925), an Austrian philosopher, scientist and social reformer, extended scientific research beyond the existing parameters of natural science to investigate the non-physical, spiritual realities of Life. Using clear and accessible means for attaining spiritual knowledge, he offered insights that have inspired new approaches to medicine, education, the arts, architecture, agriculture, social reform and economics. As in the natural sciences, spiritual Science employs objective methodologies which can be understood with rigorous thinking and empirically verified in practical activity. The name given to this new branch of science is ‘anthroposophy’, a Greek word meaning ‘wisdom of Man’.
Anthroposophical principles as to curative treatment, education, medicine, architecture, agriculture, horticulture, art, science and religion form the basis of the life and activities of communities, provided that every member of such community shall be at liberty to follow the religion of his or her choice. Rigidity in the matter of control should be avoided and the closest liaison should be maintained between all those responsible for the administration of the Charity and it’s community, or communities, in their everyday life. Specific practices following the developed social and philosophical ideas and theories of Rudolf Steiner should be integrated into the work of the charity as far as appropriate, including:
Community life: Camphill establishes and maintains intentional communities. Their sustainability rests on an ethical foundation that recognises the uniqueness of the individual and seeks to respect, value and enhance the strength and potential of each one. Social life in Camphill Communities is based upon a threefold arrangement reflecting the recognition of human being as comprising body, soul and spirit. This arrangement is expressed in: the exercise of freedom in the spiritual/cultural domain; the safeguarding of equality in the realms of rights and responsibilities; and the practice of brotherliness in the economic realm. By application of the principles, community members are bound together by will and in personal commitment, not by legal construct, meaning for beneficiaries any form of compulsion and for coworkers the rights and obligations of contract.
Steiner Waldorf education: based on the works and teachings of Rudolf Steiner, this is founded on an understanding of the human being related to specific concepts of body, soul and spirit and their development through childhood. It integrates educational content and method in ways that a supportive of this. The curriculum aims to meet the development needs of the growing child and adolescent, nurturing faculties rather than merely delivering prescribed information.
Anthroposophical medicine: this, and extension of natural scientific medicine, which constitutes an international school of thought and practice based on the work and teachings of Rudolf Steiner and as further elaborated by the medical section of the School for Spiritual Science based at the Goetheanum, Switzerland, and by its members working throughout the world. Anthroposophical medicine includes the prescribing of Anthroposophically developed medicines, therapies, social therapies comma and pastoral medicine.
Biodynamic agriculture and horticulture: this unique form of organic husbandry is inspired by the research of Rudolf Steiner and is founded on the holistic and spiritual understanding of nature and the human being. It embraces respect for the environment, production of healthy food, and an understanding of the valuable connections between the individual, the community and the spiritual forces at work in nature.