Who we are
The Lake District Calvert Trust (LDCT) was founded in 1974 with the objective of challenging disability through outdoor adventure.
Our aims
We were the very first outdoor education centre for people with disabilities in the UK and our mission is to enable people with disabilities, together with their family and friends, to realise their true potential in the beautiful countryside the UK has to offer.
We would like to widen our mission to the residents of the Isle of Man.
By encouraging people with physical, sensory and/or learning disabilities to attempt those challenging outdoor activities once considered to be the sole preserve of the non-disabled, we seek to promote:
- Inclusion
- Integration
- Education
- Motivation
- Self confidence & Self esteem
- Achievement
- Success for life
The work we do
Working with our visitors (and their supporters and our world-pioneering equipment adaptations), our specialist-trained Instructors identify the limitations that people with disabilities and others place upon them. We then encourage a ‘push’ on such limitations in a safe and empathic environment. Through engagement in our outdoor activity courses (such as sailing, canoeing/kayaking, climbing, archery, abseiling, horse riding/trap driving, ghyll scrambling, hand cycling, land yachting and paragliding), our visitors learn that they can do much more than they thought possible. This sense of achievement carries over into their daily lives, where they take with them their new ‘can do’ rather than ‘can’t do’ approach to everyday challenges.
Our motto? “It’s what you can do that counts!”
Every year, the Lake District Calvert Trust welcomes more than 3,000 visitors to our Centre. They stay in our fully accessible accommodation on a full-board residential basis and undertake a bespoke activity programme that is individually designed to meet the needs, aims, objectives and capacities of each group. We currently employ over 35 full-time staff to meet the needs of our visitors. Our housekeeping staff ensure that our 26 twin-bed or triple-bedded en-suite rooms are always clean and inviting and can provide extra mobility aids such as hoists, electronic beds and shower chairs upon request. Our kitchen staff can cater for virtually every dietary requirement. We can even home your pet just a mile or so up the road! We regret that we can only allow guide pets on site. We also have self-catering accommodation available.
Due to the educational aspect of our work at the Lake District Calvert Trust, we do not routinely take bookings for groups of less than 8. We do, however, run several ‘Individuals’ and ‘Families’ courses during the year. We also run ‘Specialist' courses that are designed to teach those aspects of theory and practice of an individual sport that are necessary to allow those with disabilities to achieve UK National Governing Body awards.
Please note that in keeping with our aim of ‘inclusion & integration’, we do not offer respite care at the Lake District Calvert Trust (although our Kielder Centre do offer this package for those over 18. You can contact them on 01434 250232). All visitors with disabilities are, therefore, required to attend our courses with a carer, staff member, supporter or family member. Supporters are expected to join in all of our activities!
If you would like details on the courses that we run, please contact us for further information.
How you can help us
Please help us to continue our vision and spirit of giving.
Donations
We are always very grateful for financial help. Our charity requires £1 million each year just to keep its doors open and we do not receive a penny of government aid. You can help us via:
- Donations
- Sponsorships
- Bursaries
- Legacies
If you would like to make a donation to the Lake District Calvert Trust, please click on our 'Donate' button above.
It’s what you can give that counts!
Volunteering
We are also indebted to those who support us as volunteers - from assisting our Instructors on activities, to changing beds, to photographing visitors, to wall-papering our foyer toilet! If you have a particular talent or area of expertise do let us know.
Virgin London Marathon 2011 - 'Places up for grabs'
We still have places in the Virgin London Marathon 2011 and are looking for keen runners who want to raise money for children and adults with disabilities.
This year 11 runners took part in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon to raise much needed funds for The Calvert Trust. All of the runners completed their challenge, with some breaking their personal records and doing extremely well.
http://www.calvert-trust.org.uk/smartweb/about-us/latest-news/post/8-virgin-london-marathon-2010/
If you would like to run for The Lake District Calvert Trust please contact Janet Stollery - Calvert Trust London and South East Co-ordinator
London Committee Office, 20 Canon's Hill, Old Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 1HB
Tel. 020 8405 3826, Fax 020 8405 4129, Mobile 07801 695832, email mailto:[email protected]
