by Joe DaleMake outdoors great again: our Big Issue mention
The Big Issue magazine has featured Calvert Trust Exmoor in a summer holiday special. Issue number 1366, dated 8th July, was entitled ‘Let’s Go Outside’.
It featured a piece called Make outdoors great again: The charities empowering us all to go wild – in which we made an appearance.
For this Big Issue mention, we discuss how charities are helping those with disabilities and unfortunate circumstances make the most of the summer and nature.
The piece highlights that “studies show outdoor time lowers blood pressure, improves short-term memory and helps the body fight off illnesses. A King’s College London study even found that hearing birdsong improves mental wellbeing.“
But added that “not everyone can take a stroll through the countryside when they feel like it” and many children do not have access to the outdoors or adventure activities.
This is where we come in…
The Big Issue continues with: “There’s a well-documented lack of provision to help disabled people enjoy the outdoors – but the Calvert Trust is changing that. The charity takes people with physical, behavioural, sensory and learning disabilities on outdoor adventure holidays that help them build self-confidence and gain greater independence.
Hannah, our sales and marketing manager, is quoted as saying: “People with and without disabilities motivate each other to do new things. Some guests struggle to communicate their feelings [but] the emotion, exhilaration and achievement felt during activities are clear. It’s what you can do that counts.”
The text then adds: “At Exmoor (guests) can try horse riding, canoeing, abseiling and climbing using adapted equipment. While getting their adrenalin pumping participants also make new friends, learn new skills and boost their physical and mental wellbeing. “By the time they leave, our guests have created wonderful memories and accomplished far more than they had ever dreamed possible,” Furber adds.”
Finally, The Big Issue quotes one of our guest case studies – a story about Gemma, who has cerebral palsy. Part of which includes:
“Even as a full-time wheelchair user, all the activities were achievable. There was no onlooking for Gemma,” her mum said. “It was a brilliant weekend. Gemma enjoyed every moment of it, whether cheering others on during activities, in the forest learning bushcraft skills and toasting marshmallows over the fire.”
Read the full article, featuring more of the case study and examples of other charities doing wonderful work.
Thanks to The Big Issue for including Calvert Trust Exmoor.
by Joe DaleDiscovery Community Fund awards Calvert Trust Exmoor bursary funds
Discovery Community Fund have awarded Calvert Trust Exmoor bursary funds to aid those with autism and their families in Somerset for holidays at the centre…
by Joe DaleLeathersellers’ Company Charity Fund – a thank you
The Leathersellers’ Company Charitable Fund has generously awarded Calvert Trust Exmoor £60,000 over four years…
by AdminCalvert Trust Exmoor and the people it helps
In March 2012, Lizzie Tench was out cycling with her partner when she was struck by a trailer being towed by a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
by AdminThe Gold Standard in Outdoor Learning
Did you know we are the only outdoor activity centre in the South West to hold the AHOEC’s Gold Standard for the exceptional quality of our outdoor education?
by Joe DaleCalvert Trust Exmoor retains 5-star rating from Visit England
We are very pleased to have once again been accredited as 5 stars by Visit England…
by Joe DalePortlantis Ltd Corporate Partnership
We’d like to take a moment to give thanks to one of our key donors in 2019: Portlantis LTD, an embroidery and printed logos company based in Devon.
by AdminBest Abseiling Experience in the UK
We’ve been awarded the title of Best Abseiling Experience in the UK thanks to The Adventure Awards and YOUR votes.
Calvert Trust Exmoor received the win over four other UK abseiling experience provides.
Finalists are companies and establishments that excel in what they do, then category winners are based on the public vote. So a BIG thank you for voting for us!
The Adventure Awards recognise the best adventure experiences across the country, celebrating the hard work it takes turning a challenging activity into an unforgettable experience for all.
As you know, our award-winning centre enables people with physical, learning, behavioural and sensory disabilities to experience exciting, challenging and enjoyable outdoor activities. Fully inclusive stays enable guests of all ages and levels of abilities to enjoy personalised activities such as horse riding, canoeing, zip ling, archery and abseiling.
It’s great to be recognised for our abseiling facilities, thank you again for voting for us!
by AdminNorth Devon Volunteers Help Spruce Up the Centre
After the extravagance of the festive season (now a distant memory!), it’s always nice to redress the balance and give something back.
Being a small charity, we simply couldn’t be without the support of our many volunteers who donate their time and energy to help us with our life-changing work and continue challenging disability through outdoor adventure.
Over the past two weeks, several people from local organisations and the community have come together armed with paintbrushes and rollers, to help give our accommodation a shiny new coat of paint and keep our accessible five-star centre looking its very best ready for our first guests of 2019.
We would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of the people who gave up their time to paint, in exchange for nothing more than lunch (and an immense amount of appreciation from the staff and trustees of Calvert Trust Exmoor). We loved having you, and hope to see you again at our next ‘Painting Party’!
Calvert Trust Exmoor relies on the help and support of volunteers, across the centre, all year round. There are many opportunities for people to get involved – from assisting at a Fundraising event to becoming a weekly volunteer in the Stables. Volunteering can be fun, rewarding and even help you gain new skills. For more information on current volunteering opportunities please visit our Volunteer page.
by Admin10th Annual Charity Golf Day Raises £5k for Calvert Trust Exmoor
20 teams of golf enthusiasts took to Saunton Golf Course on Thursday 8th November in Saunton Sands Hotel’s annual charity event, which is sponsored by Isca Barum Insurance Brokers, raising more than £5,000 for Calvert Trust Exmoor.
Now in its 10th year, all proceeds from the fundraiser organised annually by Saunton Sands Hotel are donated to a nominated charity, and we were absolutely delighted to be their chosen beneficiary for a third consecutive year.
Head of Fundraising, Jeremy Duxbury said: “We are so grateful to Brend Hotels for naming Calvert Trust Exmoor as the beneficiary for their Celebrity Golf Day again this year at Saunton Golf Club. The Brend family has been so very supportive of our work over the years and we are humbled to be one of their chosen charities.”
Key Account Director of Isca Barum Insurance Brokers Ltd, Sarah Page said: “Isca Barum Insurance Brokers have been the main sponsors for this fundraiser for the last three years. As a local business, we appreciate just how special Calvert Trust Exmoor is and how very important the personal and caring service is that they provide. Beliefs which we share.”
The jam-packed day began at 8am with coffee and bacon rolls at the hotel, before the teams headed off to Saunton Golf Club to play an 18-hole round on the East Course. Each of the 18 holes was kindly sponsored by a local business, and there were some tempting prizes to play for on three of the holes, including champagne, two holidays and a car sponsored by Taw Citroen Barnstaple.
After lunch, there was an opportunity to play more golf with the professionals, followed by a presentation, dinner, games and a raffle all kindly hosted by Saunton Sands Hotel. Alongside representatives from Calvert Trust Exmoor and Isca Barum, sporting legends Ian Holloway and Gareth Chilcott, who both originally hail from the Southwest, were pleased to support the fundraiser as celebrity guest speakers on the night. Together, they spoke of their friendship, humble beginnings, and the support and self-belief required to help them achieve their dreams – a sentiment echoed in our mission.
Trustee, Will Vandersteen who also entered a team on the day, expressed his thanks to all those involved: “It was another fantastic Golf Day with Brend hotels kindly supporting Calvert Trust Exmoor. Saunton East is always a treat to play and the food and hospitality at Saunton hotel were superb. The after dinner speakers finished the evening off with a brilliant double act – funny and inspiring. Thanks to all concerned for organising a great day out and thanks to the guests for supporting our important cause.”
As a charity, we must raise more than £400,000 each year in order to provide vital bursary support to disabled guests who require financial support, and enable us to continue our life-changing work. To learn more about how you can support us, please visit: https://calvertexmoor.org.uk/support-us/
(Note: a handful of the teams managed to duck the camera…!!)