Our Values

Though the value system is modelled around the seasons – they all apply the whole year round. However, some aspects may be easier to access in the season they are shown.

Our values were curated, discussed and expanded through a series of focus groups with key people from our community, wider allies and possible new joiners. They are intended as ‘working and fluid guidelines’ – in line with the values of reflection and staying open to change, to help ensure we remain aligned; and to connect with new people who are most likely to be able to co-create those very values.

❄️ Winter

Intergenerationality & Succession :

Sharing Skills, Passing on Abilities

We find ways to upskill others and recognise that helping them could help the community grow. We find ways to reach out to people who have considered operating in a different way – who have a spark of knowing business-as-usual doesn’t work. We continuously assess where we are heading and accept and adapt to change and endings if they need to happen.

We intentionally find ways to integrate child care and care of the elderly across the community, aiming explicitly to respond to societal issues cause by nuclear living such as stress on parents and loneliness in old age.

We are open to new members giving the benefit of any doubt when first meeting but allowing time to understand if and how alignment will emerge through private and group reflection.

🌱 Spring

Ideas, Creativity, New Perspectives :

Exemplifying a Novel Mode of Being

We intend to create a new mould – not focused on making a profit for our own ends though we recognise this may be needed to grow a vision. We wish to grow and widen the potential reach of communality, possibility for communal land ownership, communal living and/or co-housing in the future. We try new methods without being attached to outcomes, accepting lessons. We make pragmatic plans which are based on reality.

We allow personal freedom while creating space for challenge and deep discussion. We question each other kindly when being over-optimistic or perfectionist. The Values & Vision itself is regularly revisited at least each year to check it remains consistent and true.

We are transparent about the financial routes used and available to members and potential members always looking for more equitable options, removing financial barriers where possible. We actively work against financial stratification at play in the wider world”.

☀️ Summer

Action & Fruition :

Pragmatic Choices

We get stuff done together, with a collaborative-first mindset . We celebrate things that work and put extra energy behind them marking them with joy. We don’t hesitate too long and proceed with trust, following through on agreed contributions, while knowing that success is transient. We aim for parity – not necessarily all doing the same thing and recognising varied capacity, but equally all contributing, and aiming to find joy in the doing as far as possible. We agree to all do our best to improve and maintain the social, physical, administrative and emotional wellbeing of the community.

We recognise the need for private space for individuals and/or families and ensure choice is present either between their own private homes and communal site involvement and everything in between, or within the bounds of the community for inhabitants.

We celebrate the seasons, passing of time, key events and milestones with authenticity.

🍂 Autumn

Reflection & Relinquishment :

Ethics

We reflect deeply, communally and as individuals, on what works and what doesn’t – across all areas of life – work styles, cost, environmental, social.  We look after ourselves so we are able look after others. We let go of ingrained habits that are not helping us. We recognise that ethics comes at a cost and find balance between financial cost, idealism, rest & recuperation. We see real value in stopping at the right time, doing nothing, play, and enjoyment.

We ensure all shared meals are plant-based

We keep our spaces clean and regularly reset spaces by letting go of physical items we no longer need.

Karmunity Group

General Enquiries (Matt)

00 44 (0) 7903 383081

matthew@karmunity.art