An outdoor activity centre forced to close for nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to provide support to disabled and disadvantaged people in Cumbria thanks to a funder.
With most of the centre’s residential services paused since lockdown first began in March 2020, the foundation – which supports charitable work throughout Britain – exceptionally allowed Bendrigg Trust to redirect a portion of a funding grant to cover core running costs such as maintenance and essential staff.
Prior to the pandemic, the centre had received more than £90,000 from the ScottishPower Foundation to launch a residential programme designed to support those with hidden disabilities.
The foundation allowed the centre to reallocate some of the grant to cover essential overheads and the Bendrigg team opened the grounds during lockdown, allowing families with disabilities to enjoy socially distanced walks in the 15 acre grounds between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
After conducting surveys with their visitors, the high demand for families with disabilities to access a safe and accessible outdoor space became apparent and Bendrigg Trust made its sprawling woodlands available to those most in need.
They also hosted its first ‘Winter Wonderland’ at Christmas – allowing over 70 families to enjoy a specially curated festive trail while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
The remaining ScottishPower Foundation funding will be used to welcome disabled people and their families to take part in residential courses at Bendrigg when it is safe to do so and will also support staff to undertake training to build on their awareness, knowledge and expertise to support those with hidden disabilities.
Martha Wood, fundraising and marketing officer at Bendrigg Trust, said “We’re so grateful for the ScottishPower Foundation’s flexibility in letting us reallocate some of the funding we received.
“This has been instrumental in allowing us to keep a small team of staff working react to the need of our beneficiaries and offer what services we can safely to support them through an extremely difficult time. It also means we can reopen our doors when it’s safe to do so.
“While it has been devastating to have had to close our doors for the best part of a year, we knew we had to make the most of our vast woodlands.
“Many of the families who join us on our residential programmes don’t have access to safe outdoor space or a garden to enjoy.
“It seemed like such a simple solution to let people book a slot to explore the grounds and enjoy everything nature has to offer, and from the feedback we’ve had it has been a huge source of support.
“We recognise that now, more than ever, the individuals and families we work with need some respite and something to look forward to.
“We’re so excited for the day we can roll out our Adventure for All programme.
“Although we know finances are tight for many just now, thanks to the backing of the ScottishPower Foundation we’ll be able to subsidise the costs and make our residential courses accessible to all.”
