A long-standing Lake District charity is celebrating 50 years of providing accessible adventures.
The Calvert Trust is planning a busy calendar of events to kickstart its golden anniversary year.
First established in 1976, the trust was inspired by John Fryer-Spedding, Cumbrian landowner and public servant, who wanted people with disabilities to have equal opportunities to explore outdoor activities.
His mission to offer accessible residential breaks in the Lake District began with a sailing boat, a pony and two members of staff.
In the years since the charity has welcomed thousands of people with and without disabilities to experience adventure, independence and achievement through fully accessible activities including water sports, climbing, cycling, and archery.
Today, the charity employs over 40 staff, is open for 50 weeks of the year, and welcomes both residential and day visitors.
The whole centre is completely accessible to those with more complex needs with lift access and ramps throughout, wide entrances and doorways, and plenty of welcoming communal spaces for downtime.
Equally welcomed are those with learning, sensory or cognitive disabilities where friendly, trained and experienced staff have expertise in ensuring all needs are met.
Courses offered from its Calvert Lakes centre also include accommodation in fully accessible rooms, all with ensuite facilities, many with specialist equipment such as ceiling hoists, spacious wet rooms and profiling beds.
Activities offered on-site include a high ropes course, wheelchair challenge course, zipwire, archery, hydrotherapy swimming pool, and sports hall complete with climbing wall, bouldering, trapeze swing and abseiling.
Just a short distance down the road is a specialist boathouse where sailing and canoeing on Bassenthwaite Lake encourage teamwork and build confidence whilst enjoying the stunning surrounding scenery.
The boathouse also has accessible equipment such as hoists, postural support and adaptable seating that support a range of mobility needs.
Calvert Stables in Keswick is another vital part of the Lake District Calvert Trust, where staff and volunteers offer horse riding, grooming, pony club and carriage driving.
An accredited Riding for the Disabled and British Horse Society stables, the resident ponies have a unique, calming temperament and offer an adaptive horse riding experience for varying levels of ability.
Celebrations will begin with a special open day event on Saturday March 21 at its site on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake and Dodd Wood.
The Trusts participants, local residents, guests and visitors will be invited to visit the activity centre, just north of Keswick, for a glimpse into the specialist services and facilities provided by this pioneering charity.
Guests will be able to enjoy guided tours and family-friendly activities such as the high ropes course, swim in the hydrotherapy pool, meet some of the ponies and fly down the zip wire.
There will also be opportunities to try adapted equipment. The event is open to families, supporters, local residents and anyone interested in learning more about the charity’s important work.
The open day marks an important milestone in its history and celebrates the staff, volunteers, supporters, and guests who have made its mission possible over the past 50 years.
Helen Archibald, head of income generation, said: “Our 50th anniversary is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and to look ahead to the future.
“This Open Day is our way of saying thank you to our community and inviting people to see first-hand the impact of what we do here at our very special place.”
The Open Day is free to attend, although advance booking is encouraged. Visitors are advised that the site is fully accessible, but parking is very limited.
Attendees are encouraged to park at Dodd Wood Car Park and walk the short distance to the site or arrive by public transport where possible.
