The grant will specifically go towards the first project – a £3.1m residential house with independent living wing, which is set to break ground early next year. The home will enable the charity, which is based across three campuses in the west of Aberdeen, to open its doors to more vulnerable young people who are in urgent need of support.

The school’s unique approach integrates education, lifelong learning, and expert care within a therapeutic environment as part of a shared living community with onsite medical support.

Established in 1958, the Garfield Weston Foundation is a family-founded charitable grant-making trust which now gives away around £90 million a year to charities across the UK.

Alex Busch, executive director of Camphill School Aberdeen, said: “This grant from Garfield Weston Foundation is transformational for us and brings us one step closer to our capital appeal target. We are incredibly grateful to the foundation for enabling us to grow and help even more children and young people who are in desperate need of our support. The functionality of the house is extremely important to deliver the best outcomes for our young people.

“Currently, the demand for our services far exceeds our capacity, with placement enquiries up by 250% since 2020. The only way to help more young people in the north-east is to bring our plans to life. We want to ensure that every young person who needs our support can access it and this generous grant will help us achieve our vision.”

The residential house will have 11 bedrooms, 7 with ensuite bathrooms and an assisted bathing room, as well as incorporating communal dining and living spaces, quiet “time out” zones and a central outdoor courtyard.

The independent living wing within the house is a new and unique feature which will give the school a flexible option to accommodate highly complex young people, who are unable to always fully participate in “home” life or as a training flat for young people who may be able to live more independently as they transition to adulthood.

The home has been designed to allow immediate access to outdoor spaces, retaining the connection to nature. Courtyards offer extended outdoor living areas with natural light, creating calm and tranquil environments to minimise overstimulation, which is crucial to reduce anxiety levels for those with autism.

Since the Garfield Weston Foundation was established, it has donated over £1.4 billion to UK charities, of which over half has been given away in the past ten years alone.

Philippa Charles, director at Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have donated £200,000 towards Camphill School Aberdeen’s residential house. The house will make a significant difference to local young people with complex needs to live their lives with greater independence.”

More than 100 young people are currently supported by Camphill School Aberdeen. They often struggle in mainstream education and other care options - but thrive at the charity. Regardless of their abilities, the children and young people grow in confidence, independence and fulfil their potential – often achieving outcomes their families never thought possible.

Since launching the 10-year capital appeal in February this year, the school has raised £2.3m towards the first house, but still needs the support of the local community and businesses to raise the remaining £800,000.

Further projects within the extensive campaign are to build a social enterprise, - Murtle Market another two new residential homes, expand the charities workshops and create an internal awards centre to promote the charity’s STARS Awards.