by Joe Dale

NewsJuly 16, 20190 comments

Make 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.