Can Animals Help with Mental Health?
Managing your mental health alone can be challenging – having companionship whether that is a friend, family member, or a pet can help provide invaluable support. Spending time with pets and other animals encourages us to live mentally healthier lives, as they comfort and motivate us.
At Calvert Exmoor, we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact of interacting with animals, with many of our guests enjoying our accessible horse riding and stable activities, which offer a range of mental and physical benefits.
How Can a Pet Help with Mental Health?
Having a pet or being in regular contact with an animal and taking care of them can improve your mental health in a number of ways.
Add a Sense of Routine to Your Day
Taking care of a pet can help you keep a daily routine and creates structure in your day. Feeding, and exercising your pet can not only make you feel focussed and grounded but it also adds purpose to your day and a sense of achievement which is great for those days that are really hard.
Support Daily Exercise
Doing physical activity such as walking a dog or riding a horse can help your mind to reset and is just plain fun! Put your favourite playlist or podcast on and enjoy the fresh air with your furry friend.
Here at Calvert Exmoor we’re big believers in the ability of adventure breaks to support your mental health. Getting outside, staying active and befriending a horse are just some of the advantages of a stay with us.
Boost Social Skills
Having a pet or participating in animal-based activities can be a great way to meet new people and build your social skills. From dog walkers stopping to chat to each other, training classes and pet shops to groups for interacting with therapy animals and animal-interest clubs, there are many ways to connect and chat to new, like-minded people.
Improve Confidence
Animals can also improve your self confidence – they can be brilliant listeners which can be really helpful especially if you are feeling misunderstood or aren’t sure if you’ll be accepted by others.
The company of animals can help to reduce anxiety as they can provide comfort and are easy to spend time with.
Is Getting a Pet the Right Choice?
Although pets can really help and improve mental health, they are a very big and serious commitment. You will need to make sure you have the time, energy, money and a good environment for them to live in, before thinking about taking care of a furry friend.
Things to consider before getting a pet:
- How often are you at home?
- How much time do you have to spend with your pet?
- Do you have enough money to care for them? Eg food, vet bills, toys etc.
- How much outdoor space do you have?
- Are you capable of looking after a pet at all times?
Fostering a pet is also an option as is looking after a friend’s when they are on holiday – this can help you leaner if having your own furry friend is the right thing for you.
Spending Times With Animals if Your Don’t Have a Pet
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, interacting with pets and animals is a great way to improve how you feel. Even if owning a pet isn’t an option for you due to where you live or not being able to care for them daily, there are plenty of other ways to see the mental health benefits of spending time with animals.
Here at Calvert Exmoor we provide holidays for people with disabilities, offering plenty of activities including accessible horse riding and carriage experiences. Our horses are much-loved members of the team, making your stay with us one to remember!
What is a Sensory Room?
A sensory room is a specially designed room that helps to develop an individual’s sense, through lights, objects of different textures and music. This kind of space is often useful for children and adults with sensory sensitivities, like some people with autism may experience. Sensory rooms can also help support the development of auditory, visual, tactical processing and fine and gross motor skills.
The Benefits of a Sensory Room
Sensory rooms are often primarily used by children, supporting them as they grow and develop. However, they can also help adults with autism by stimulating different senses.
These rooms can serve as an escape from the stressors of the outside world. For example, if someone has difficulty when overstimulated by noise they can go into a sensory room and use the objects in there to help calm their senses and become less agitated.
After spending time in a sensory room, children often have improved creativity and expression, increased concentration and focus, lowered aggression and show increases in gross and fine motor skills.
Along with the sensory benefits, spending time in a sensory room can encourage problem solving and build nerve connections in the brain, which allows children to retain more information.
Ideas for a Sensory Room
The main goal of a sensory room is to be a safe space where individuals can go when they need to calm or stimulate their senses. There are various things that you can include in a sensory room.
Our accessible accommodation and facilities here at Calvert Exmoor includes access to a sensory room where guests can go to have a multi sensory experience. Our sensory room includes:
- Bubble tube
- Moving coloured lights
- Projector and mirror ball
- Flexible fibre optic lights
- Padding
- Bean bag chairs
If you’re making your own sensory room, think about who will be using it and what their needs are. Here are some common things to include in a sensory room to help support people with autism or sensory needs.
1. Sensory Lighting
Slow colour changing lights are great for sensory rooms; not only can they provide relief from stress or being overwhelmed, but also entertainment. Different colours, forms of light and shapes from shadows can be engaging and mesmerising.
Lighting also plays a vital role in early childhood development, which is why it can be so important to include in a sensory room designed specifically for children. There are many different kinds of light-based toys and devices to suit different needs and preferences.
2. Sensory Seating
Sensory seating allows children to move about in a more appropriate way without teaching them bad habits such as rocking in a chair. It will allow them to safely move about in their seat, helping to calm their senses.
Bean bags, wiggle seats and wobble cushions are also great for encouraging different kinds of movement.
3. Balance Tools
Balance tools and toys help to encourage balance and stability as a person engages certain muscles, creating a better sense of bodily awareness.
From balance beams to stepping stones there is a huge range of balance tools to choose from.
4. Tunnels
These are great for younger children as they can help to encourage crawling, be used as part of an obstacle course or even as a visual enclosure when needed.
Many children may enjoy laying in a tunnel on their bellies while doing other activities as it can improve their focus. Tunnels can also become cosy dens with a pillow and blanket, allowing children to decompress after a long day.
Setting up a decompression space or quiet corner in a sensory room is really important especially for those who struggle with sensory processing disorders.
5. Balls
Ball play can help children develop a range of skills, including:
- Hand eye coordination
- Grasping skills
- Spatial awareness
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Balance
- Social skills
From sensory balls to yoga balls, these are brilliant for stimulating the sense of touch.
In various sensory rooms you will likely find ball pits; these are great as when children crash into them it provides deep-pressure sensations and proprioceptive feedback, meeting the sensory needs of those who enjoy the feeling of pressure or weightlessness.
Here at Calvert Trust Exmoor we make it our mission to provide accessible facilities and activities for everyone to enjoy. If you’re ready to embark on an accessible holiday in Devon, why not plan a trip with us? You’ll be able to experience a range of incredible activities, including abseiling, canoeing, cycling and many more!
What Does Sponsoring an Animal Mean? How to Sponsor a Horse
Even if you can only contribute a small sum of money, charitable donations can make a big difference in the lives of the people (and animals) who need it most. Giving donations to your local organisations is a great way to connect with a community and show your support to some worthy causes.
Sponsoring an animal is a common way to get involved in charity work because it’s simple, often involves convenient small monthly or annual payments and offers the bonus of giving you a close connection with a cute animal!
As a provider of holidays for people with disabilities, we are proud to offer accessible horse and carriage riding activities with a dedicated team of horses and ponies. Our lovely ponies are central figures at the Calvert Exmoor centre, so we understand how important it is that more people embrace animal sponsorship and contribute when possible.
Why Sponsor an Animal?
Sponsoring animals can help them and the people who take care of them in a number of ways.
You might choose to sponsor endangered animals around the globe so that your money can go to vital conservation work and the protection of their habitats. Many people sponsor wild animals like elephants, polar bears, giant pandas and more because they appreciate that these creatures are under threat and want to do what they can to help ensure their futures.
Or, you might choose to sponsor animals a little closer to home.
Animal-assisted therapy can be beneficial for many different people, with animals like dogs and horses especially helping individuals improve their mood, mental health and communication skills. Sponsoring animals that help with these services means they can keep supporting the people who benefit from spending time with them.
If you have the means to do so, sponsoring your favourite animal or one you have a special connection to can be a feasible way for the average person to make an impact.
Donations Vs Sponsorship
Sponsorship is slightly different from a general donation as the money your pledge tends to go directly to a particular animal – you sponsor their care and upkeep. When you sponsor an animal, you may also receive updates and pictures, showing you how they’re progressing and how your contributions are being used. This is less likely with a general donation to the wider organisation.
Some organisations, particularly those involved in conservation efforts, may also refer to sponsorships and direct donations as ‘adopting’ the animal. You can even ‘adopt’ endangered plants that need our help, such as sequoias and coral reefs!
Sponsoring a Pony at Calvert Exmoor
The Calvert Exmoor horses and ponies are taken care of by our trained staff and diligent volunteers – the vital work they all do would not be possible without the generous donations and support from our patrons and community.
Accessible horse riding and spending time with these gentle giants can be wonderfully beneficial for people with disabilities, helping build confidence, providing new sensory experiences and soothing negative feelings. We’ve seen first-hand how interacting with animals, especially horses, can positively impact a person’s outlook.
By sponsoring one (or more) of our animals, you help ensure we can continue providing accessible horse riding activities to all our guests and local riding enthusiasts.
You can sponsor any of the 12 animals at Calvert Exmoor; when you do so, you’ll receive a certificate commemorating the sponsorship, a horse keyring or fridge magnet with a photo of your sponsee and an opportunity to visit them on an open day.
For £30 a year, you can sponsor your favourite horse and help us continue taking the best possible care of them and ensure they can keep helping take care of others.
Please see our sponsorship page to find out more about who your money could be supporting, or to make a sponsorship pledge.
We believe that everyone should be able to experience and enjoy riding activities so are incredibly grateful for the continued support that helps make this happen!
Tips for Applying for Disability Grants & Funding
Making ends meet is not always easy, and ensuring you can cover daily costs is something that is, unsurprisingly, causing more people more anxiety as the cost of living rises. Disability grants can be invaluable when it comes to finding additional funding for the things you need.
Whether you need money for specialist equipment or to fund a holiday full of disability adventure activities, there are several brilliant grants you can access. But how can you best ensure your grant application is successful?
What Can You Get Disability Grants For?
A grant is a sum of money that you do not have to repay. There are a number of charitable organisations dedicated to supporting people with disabilities that award grants, usually providing money to be spent on something particular. This might include:
- Housing and adapting the home
- Mobility support
- Specialist equipment
- Education
- Recreation
- Holidays and short breaks
Costs for the daily essentials can mount significantly, so seeking a grant may help relieve some of your financial pressure.
Finding the right grant for your needs is important; organisations want to send money to the right people at the right time.
What Benefits Are You Eligible For?
Your search for the right grant will likely begin with checking which government-provided benefits you are eligible for and whether you are claiming all you can.
Check with your local authorities about the support you may be entitled to. This does not just include support for those with disabilities; you may be able to claim other benefits if you are also on a low income, are unable to work or are caring for someone.
You will likely not be granted funding from a charitable organisation for something the government supplies, so make sure you are well versed in all the possible financial help for people with disabilities provided by them first.
Finding the Right Disability Grant
If you have applied for state-funded benefits but still require additional support, there are some great charities to turn to.
The easiest way to find the right funder is through grant search tools that organise grants by category or disability, helping to narrow down the places you will need to consider applying to. You can also go straight to charities that cater specifically to particular conditions and disabilities.
Turn2us provides an invaluable resource with their grants search function that’ll show you the most relevant grants for your situation. Their A to Z of benefits is another useful tool that highlights the best places to get support.
Disability Grants offers another fantastic database of resources, allowing you to find grants by category and more particular niches.
Once you have found your list of potential grant providers, you will need to fill in the necessary applications.
How to Fill in an Application
Making a grant application can seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you are applying to several places.
Each funder will probably have their own application process, so make sure you read through all the terms of each in case there are any unique quirks. In most, if not all, cases, applications will be made through the chosen funders’ website, usually via some kind of online form, although some may ask for a letter explaining your case.
Meeting the Eligibility Criteria
Familiarise yourself with the charity’s eligibility criteria – if you do not meet it, they will likely not make exceptions, so don’t make any applications unless you’re confident you’re in line with all the requirements.
Some charities may also only allow you to make one application a year or within a certain time frame, so ensure you are aware of any stipulations like this before going in.
Ask Questions
If you are unsure whether you qualify or not, try getting in touch with the charity’s support team. They may be able to provide additional guidance on making your application and finding the funding you need.
They may also be able to tell you about the funding priorities and when to apply again if you are unsuccessful.
What Information Will You Need?
To make sure it’s clear you meet the eligibility criteria, try to include as much information as possible when filling in your application.
This will include:
- Who the funding is for – yourself, a family member or someone else.
- Why you need funding – your situation or condition.
- What the funding will be used for – how will it have a positive impact?
- Supporting evidence – recommendations from professionals or confirmation you cannot get statutory funding.
- Financial evidence – any relevant evidence about income or previous grants.
Third Party Applications
Some providers will ask for applications to be made through support professionals and third parties like social workers or therapists, so make sure to follow up with them if that is the case.
Professionals like this may also be able to help you access other funding streams you hadn’t been aware of before.
Show You’ve Done Your Research
When setting out what you need and why, include as many details as possible. Show exactly how the money will be spent and how much you ideally need to prove you’ve done the research.
Include any quotes or cost projections to give plenty of clarity on your requirements.
The amount of funding organisations can award is often very limited, so don’t be discouraged if your application is not successful straight away; it may just be a case of timing.
If you are seeking funding for an accessible holiday with us, we may be able to offer bursary money to help cover some of the costs. Plenty of other organisations also provide holiday grants for people with disabilities that will make a break away possible.
To find out more about a holiday at Calvert Exmoor and potential bursary options, please get in touch with our team.
How to Get into Disability Sports
How to Get into Disability Sports
Keeping active by getting involved in different sports is beneficial for body, mind and soul, no matter your ability. However, putting yourself out there and participating in a new sport can be easier said than done, especially if society has put barriers in your path before.
Accessible sports and activities are becoming more widespread as disability awareness improves and the need for inclusive spaces is understood by more people. As a provider of holidays for people with disabilities, we’ve seen time and again how beneficial adventure and activity can be, so are always keen to see more people pursue the sports they love!
Finding the Right Disability Sport For You
No matter what sport you’re interested in, chances are it can be adapted to your needs and made accessible to everyone. Maybe you’ve been inspired by others in your lives or have taken an interest in a sport you’ve seen played on TV? There are countless sports to explore:
- Wheelchair rugby
- Accessible cycling
- Inclusive football
- Wheelchair tennis
- Goalball
- Accessible watersports
These are obviously just a snapshot of some popular sports you could get into, but with the right equipment and club, there is no limit to the activities you can get involved in as someone with disabilities. From inclusive gymnastics to climbing to sailing, there is something for everyone, regardless of age, ability or interest.
Finding Your Local Accessible Sports Clubs
But how can you start getting involved?
Aside from just starting out on your own, the most obvious place to start is seeking a dedicated or inclusive club for your sport in your local area. Taking to social media and finding relevant Facebook groups or club pages is a good initial step and may help unearth some interesting sports you wouldn’t have thought about trying before.
The organisation Parasport provides a very handy activity finder that’ll help you narrow down the search and show what kind of sports events are being held near you, again giving you a good idea of the types of clubs operating in your area.
Finding An Inclusive Gym
If you want to build your strength or keep fit more generally, you may also be drawn to joining a gym. Starting at a gym can be daunting, doubly so if you’re not sure whether they can provide a welcoming environment with the support you need.
The Inclusive Fitness Initiative works to make gyms more accessible to people with disabilities and aims to close the activity gap. Gyms with IFI Mark accreditation are recognised as becoming more disability-friendly.
There are now more than 400 gyms with the IFI Mark around the UK, so it is well worth seeing if there are any local to you.
Resources for Accessible Sports
There are lots of organisations doing important work to increase the availability of sports and encourage the best ways to keep active for people with disabilities.
Among these, notable examples include the seven National Disability Sports Organisations:
- British Blind Sport
- Cerebral Palsy Sport
- Dwarf Sports Association UK
- LimbPower
- Special Olympics Great Britain
- UK Deaf Sport
- WheelPower
If you want to get serious about your sport, these are the organisations to turn to! You will be able to access support, advice and opportunities with the resources they provide.
Activity Alliance also provides some great resources regarding sports and disability, especially for other organisations that want to make themselves more accessible and offer better disability-friendly activities and environments.
Accessible Sporting Equipment
Depending on the sport you’re doing, you may need specialist equipment to take part comfortably and safely. Many accessible clubs will have the equipment you need or make the necessary adaptations; however, don’t take this as a given – you may have to seek out your own equipment for certain sports.
If you’re planning on putting a lot of time into a sport and getting a lot of enjoyment out of it, it may be worth investing in your own equipment. For example, if cycling is something you’re starting to love, but you can only do it with your local club’s bike, it may be worth investing in your own handcycle or recumbent bike.
Accessible sporting equipment can be expensive, but the physical and mental benefits of staying active can make it worth the cost. Plus, you may be able to get grants or support from disability sports charities that could help cover the costs of the equipment you’re after.
Accessible Activity Holidays
If you can’t find anywhere local that is offering the level of accessibility and activities you want, it may be time to seek adventure a little further afield.
Accessible holidays that offer a range of activities provide a great opportunity to get truly active and step out of your comfort zone. Depending on the centre you visit, you could try things like horse riding, zip lining, abseiling and surfing the waves – if that’s not getting active, we don’t know what is!
Holidays like these provide a chance to get away from the normal routine and try your hand at lots of different sports or physical activities somewhere you know will be able to cater to your needs and support you throughout your stay.
Here at Calvert Exmoor, our guests can participate in a whole host of accessible adventure activities and sporting endeavours during the day before retiring to our accessible accommodation to relax in the evenings for a fulfilling and memorable holiday experience.
If this sounds like something you or a loved one would enjoy, please get in touch to find out more about booking a stay with us.
Can People with Disabilities Go Ziplining?
When on one of our holidays for people with disabilities in Devon, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in numerous exciting adventure activities, including ziplining.
We believe it’s what you can do that counts, so ensure that our activities can be adapted to suit the needs of all our guests, no matter their age or ability.
We often get questions about whether people with disabilities can really do these activities, and the answer to that is, of course, yes! Ensuring everyone can try adrenaline activities is at the heart of what we do; take a look at our range of accessible activities if you’re curious about all the experiences we offer.
Adrenaline Activities for People with Disabilities
Lots of fun outdoor activities (like ziplining, abseiling or our giant swing) will give you a boost of adrenaline, heightening your sense of enjoyment and providing that undeniable rush!
Many might think that traditional adrenaline activities are not accessible to people with disabilities, but that is just not true. Everyone should be able to experience the thrill of whizzing down a zip wire at full speed – and with adaptive equipment and the right support, they can.
Accessible Ziplining at Calvert Exmoor
So, what can you expect when trying the zip wire activity at Calvert Exmoor?
Like any other kind of zip wire, our zipline starts from an elevated height where you will be fitted into a harness with the help of our qualified instructors, ensuring you feel safe and comfortable before you go zipping down the line at full speed!
We use a range of adapted harnesses and tailored supports, so guests with different disabilities can enjoy this activity to the fullest.
This activity will certainly take you to new heights as you’ll be soaring among the trees and experiencing new views of our wonderful centre.
Depending on how many other people are in your group, you may be able to have several goes on the zip wire, making the most of the experience and capturing that thrilling sensation again and again.
Anyone, no matter who they are or their circumstance, is sure to have a blast with this exhilarating activity. You can read our guest stories to learn more about how enjoyable ziplining and our other activities are.
If you discover that you have more than a head for heights, you’ll also be itching to try something like abseiling or our crate stack activity.
Discover how we make our abseiling activities accessible to all.
The Benefits of Zip Wire Activities
Any kind of outdoor adventure activity comes with a whole host of both mental and physical benefits. Simply spending time in nature can help relieve anxiety and stress while also encouraging you to be more active and open to new opportunities.
Our zip wire activity offers a great sensory experience, allowing individuals to feel new sensations.
It can also help boost confidence and give individuals a sense of determination. We understand that the zip wire can be a daunting prospect for some, especially if it is a totally new experience, but many of our guests take the challenge in their stride and emerge with renewed self-belief.
Plus, going down the zip wire is just plain fun!
If you or someone you know would love to experience our range of exciting inclusive adventure activities, why not organise a stay with us? To find out more about booking an accessible break at Calvert Exmoor, please get in touch.
What are the Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy?
What are the Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Interacting with animals can have social, physical and emotional benefits, whether this means spending time with a pet or doing activities alongside animals, such as horse riding.
There has been a rising interest in animal and pet therapy in recent years as more people have started experiencing its positive effects and more research is done into the area.
Horses make wonderful therapy animals – when on one of our accessible holidays in Devon, you have the opportunity to get to know our lovely horses, with the chance to ride them, ride in a carriage and interact with these gentle creatures during your stay!
You can find out more about the benefits of horse riding for people with disabilities in our guide.
What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Animals have been helping people for centuries, assisting us on farms and providing companionship. They can also help people with mental and physical disabilities as a form of therapy.
Stroking animals and spending time with them has been found to help temper feelings of anxiety and lower blood pressure, among many other benefits, making it a wonderful tool alongside other forms of mental and physical therapies.
Many find that animals accept you without question and are willing to show affection no matter who you are. Therefore, they can offer some relief for people who are worried about being judged or rejected in some way.
The kind of animals used for therapeutic purposes may depend on the individual seeking animal-assisted therapy and their disability. Common therapy animals include:
- Dogs
- Cats
- Horses
- Rabbits
- Birds
Here at Calvert Exmoor, we’ve seen some of the benefits interacting with horses can have first-hand, so understand how rewarding it can be for people of all abilities to spend time with animals.
Discover some of the top benefits of animal-assisted therapy.
Animal Therapy can Improve Your Mood
Interacting with animals can be a great mood-booster for anyone – there’s nothing better than a dog showering you with some love!
The simple act of stroking an animal can prompt your brain to release mood-boosting hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, helping to improve your overall mood and make you feel more relaxed.
Animal Therapy can Support Mental Health
As well as improving general mood, animal therapy can be beneficial for a range of mental health conditions and disorders.
The comforting power of animals means interacting with them can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. People have also reported a reduction in feelings of boredom and loneliness when accompanied by a furry or feathery (or even scaly) friend.
Animals can also provide an escape from negative emotions and decrease perceptions of pain.
Thanks to these benefits, this therapeutic practice can be beneficial for people with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Autism
- ADHD
- PTSD
- Dementia
Animal Therapy can Support Physical Health
Taking care of a pet, meeting a therapy animal or participating in animal-based activities can encourage you to exercise and move in new ways. While doing so, you’ll likely also be spending more time outdoors, which comes with a whole host of mental and physical benefits of its own!
As you pet or play with an animal and learn the best ways to interact with them, you can improve motor skills and coordination too.
Being in the presence of an animal can also make you feel more motivated to do activities that support movement and exercise, boosting physical well-being and encouraging you to try new things.
Animal Therapy can Improve Social & Communication Skills
In many cases, animal therapy opens the door to social interactions, as you can bond with other pet owners or the other people taking part in things like horse riding sessions.
Building a bond with animals can also create a feeling of social support, helping people feel like they are not alone. This too can support the development of social support skills that can translate into other areas of their life.
As animals can’t talk and tell you what they want, finding new ways to communicate and interpret their actions is often necessary. This means developing new communication skills or learning what their behaviours might mean.
Animal Therapy can Boost Self-Esteem
As already mentioned, animals won’t judge you and will accept everyone who treats them kindly.
This can help boost self-esteem for people who are worried about not being able to accomplish certain things or not being ‘good enough’ – a therapy animal will love spending time with you no matter what!
Accessible Horse Riding & Stable Activities at Calvert Exmoor
Getting to know our friendly horses and ponies here at Calvert Exmoor is a great way to reap the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.
Horse-based activity sessions are available for guests visiting us for midweek and full-week breaks. Our accessible riding school also offers riding lessons to people with disabilities.
Some of the horse-based activities our guests can take part in include:
- Horse riding
- Playing games to improve riding confidence
- Riding in a horse-drawn carriage for wheelchair users, those who can’t mount a horse or those who cannot ride safely due to a weight limit
- Meeting and stroking the different horses for an exciting sensory experience
- Learning about horse behaviour and how to communicate with them
- Grooming, tacking up and mucking out
- Pony agility sessions to guide ponies around obstacles
These activities are run by our expert members of stable staff, who will ensure that people of all abilities feel safe and comfortable when interacting with the horses.
Horses are gentle and incredibly intelligent, and our horses are just as professional as the rest of our team, so you can be sure they’ll help you have the best experience possible!
If horse-riding or any of our other inclusive adventure activities sounds like something you or someone you know would love, why not take this opportunity to book an accessible holiday with us at Calvert Exmoor?
To discuss your trip, please get in touch with our team.
Everything You Need to Know About Orienteering With a Disability
If you want to have an adventure in the great outdoors, then orienteering is the sport for you! Whether you want to go on an exciting escapade through the wilderness or just get to grips with using a map, there are plenty of ways to experience orienteering.
While something like orienteering might initially seem inaccessible, there are many ways it can be adapted to suit the needs of each individual taking part. At Calvert Exmoor, we endeavour to make all our adventure activities accessible to all, ensuring that no matter your ability, you can enjoy a wide range of exhilarating outdoor experiences.
What is Orienteering
Orienteering is an activity where you find specific markers or checkpoints using a map and compass.
There is no set course, and the aim is to make your way to each point on the map, figuring out the best route as you go. Deciding how to get from A to B in the best way is all part of the challenge and fun of orienteering; it is something that takes concentration, practice and skill.
In competitive orienteering, the aim is to find each marker (a square made of a white and orange triangle) in the fastest time. If you’re just taking part for fun, it’s all about the journey you make and the skills you pick up along the way.
The Benefits of Orienteering For People with Disabilities
Our adventure breaks encourage people with different disabilities to enjoy the benefits of spending time outdoors doing exciting activities. Orienteering is a wonderfully adaptive activity that allows you to take things at your own pace and appreciate the natural world around you.
Most of the time, orienteering will take place outdoors, and you’ll explore trails and moorland or woodland paths. So long as you ensure the route and surrounding area is accessible, there is no reason why everyone cannot have a go at this sport.
Benefits of orienteering include:
- Spending time outdoors, which can improve health and wellbeing.
- Providing an opportunity to exercise, improve physical fitness, coordination and stamina.
- Learning how to map read and use a compass, which encourages you to focus on a goal and concentrate.
- Bonding with others and improving communication skills.
Safety Considerations When Orienteering
We wouldn’t recommend orienteering alone, especially for those who haven’t done it before. Instead, treat it as a group activity where everyone can contribute to the quest as you figure out where to go next as a team.
Everyone can contribute to the activity by recognising map colours, using the compass or looking out for buildings and features.
How is Orienteering Adapted for People with Disabilities?
Trail Orienteering, or TrailO, is a version of competitive orienteering that ensures people of all abilities can participate. This form of the sport is designed to reduce the physical components of orienteering, with a greater focus on the puzzle-solving aspect, making it more accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Unlike other forms of orienteering, there is a set route to follow, as shown on a map. The challenge is to find the right markers, among many.
Participants use map reading and navigational skills to complete the course and find the correct markers as they go along. Several markers can be found at a site, but only one will exactly match the description and position.
Orienteering at Calvert Exmoor
Orienteering is one of the many exciting activities we offer as part of the Calvert experience. The sport is a great way of exploring the trails around our accessible site and encourages guests to enjoy spending time outdoors.
We have a range of fun ‘themed’ markers around the site for guests to find as they learn how to navigate and map read. This offers a great opportunity for guests to work together, develop friendships and work on their problem-solving skills.
Guests are also welcome to ask reception staff or instructors to do orienteering in their own time as our trails are safe and easily navigable.
Expert Orienteering Tips for Beginners
So you like the sound of orienteering but don’t know where to start?
Back in 2020, Sam, one of our activity instructors, gave his top tips for those that want to have a go at orienteering and enjoying the great outdoors in this exciting way.
1. Use Your Map & Compass
“Figure out where on the map you are before going anywhere. Often the starting point is identified on an orienteering map, but if not, you can do this by looking around you.
Roads or paths marked on the map that lead north are a great way to identify your location, perhaps things like a split in the path with one route going north. Check your compass to make sure.
I like to orientate the map, so the path I am currently on is in line with where I am going; this might mean turning the map so the path points in the same direction of travel. Make sure to keep north in mind and to turn the map northwards are regular intervals.”
2. Plan Your Route
“Pick the first point you have been tasked to find, and before moving off, plan where you are going. It is a good idea to visualise where you will be going at all times. I find identifying a shape useful. For example, if you know the overall route is a rough circle, then most of the turnings will bear in the same direction.
Say to yourself and the other people in your group things like ‘OK so we take this path, then a left, and after some distance, we should see a gate’ as you go along.”
3. Keep Locating Yourself on the Map
“A control point or marker is great for confirming your location. Once you have found and confirmed it, you will be able to say with certainty where you are on the map. You can then use your compass to orientate yourself in the direction of the next control point and plan the next leg accordingly.
However, it’s very important to check that the point you have found is the correct one. It’s easy to see a marker on the way to another and then assume your position, which could cause navigation errors or make you lose your place on the map.
Relocation – finding your position on the map if lost – is not simple and can seem scary. Often there is no single way to relocate your position on the map straight away, so continue onwards until you can find features that you can relate to on the map.”
4. Use Your Surroundings to Your Advantage
“Landmarks; buildings, roads, hills and lakes are obvious features both on the map and when looking around that can help guide you in the right direction.
‘Line’ features (paths or fences) visible on the map can be followed or used to orientate yourself in a direction.
This is useful in relocating yourself if you have gone wrong and are lost.
Again communicate with each other and ensure you have shared goals as you travel: ‘We need to keep this hill on our left-hand side as we cross this field’ or ‘the next marker should be on the other side of that stream’ and so on.”
5. Figure Out Distances
“It is very easy to overshoot and miss a set point or marker, especially early on when excitement and energy levels are high.
If you know the next point is, say, 100m along the path, then keep this in mind, and if you feel you have gone farther, then you might well have missed it and gone too far. Time to turn around and relocate!”
Anyone can enjoy orienteering and all the benefits it can bring! If you or someone you know is interested in our orienteering activities or any of our other accessible adventure activities, why not book a break with us a Calvert Exmoor?
If you have any questions about booking an adventure holiday with us, please get in touch with our fantastic team.
5 Benefits of Surfing for People with Disabilities
5 Benefits of Surfing for People with Disabilities
As an accessible activity centre in Devon, we’re always keen to shout about the benefits of spending time in the great outdoors and believe that everyone should be able to enjoy activities in the natural world.
Surfing is a highly active and exhilarating sport that engages both the mind and body – it is something that individuals of all abilities can experience and enjoy.
Not only does surfing give you an opportunity to appreciate the environment and get face-to-face with the natural world, but it’s all a brilliantly fun activity that provides an experience that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Adaptive Surfing at Calvert Trust Exmoor
Our accessible site in North Devon is located near numerous beautiful beaches, meaning we’re in the perfect spot to offer adaptive surfing to our guests, among all of our other accessible activities.
Surfing is our only off-site activity; if you opt for a surf-inclusive break, we’ll take the short trip to Croyde, one of the region’s most famous surfing beaches, where guests will be given engaging surf lessons taught by experienced surf instructors.
We work in proud partnership with The Wave Project and Surf South West to ensure our guests get a fulfilling surf experience.
Surf Therapy for Mental and Physical Disabilities
These organisations we work with are pioneers in the area of surf therapy.
The Wave Project is part of a well-established scheme that facilitates surf therapy sessions designed to support young people with mental or physical conditions. It aims to help them build confidence, reduce anxiety and strive for that ‘I CAN do it’ attitude.
Since The Wave Project’s inception in 2010, surf therapy has become an NHS-recognised form of effective therapy, especially for young people.
Surf Therapy Research
The field still lacks an abundance of quantitative research, but the 2015 study Benefits of Surfing for Children with Disabilities: A Pilot Study from the University of Rhode Island remains a valuable resource and validates some of the thinking behind surf therapy.
The study touts the physical benefits of surfing for people with disabilities and also touches on the potential social and personal benefits the activity promotes.
Findings from the study concluded that the analysed surf therapy programme ‘improved numerous areas of physical fitness and is another activity that can be added to the repertoire of effective adapted aquatic exercise programs.’
Over the course of our surf sessions, we’ve seen our guests benefit from the activity in numerous ways. Below, we explore the top five benefits that accessible surfing can provide.
1. Surfing Can Improve Physical Fitness
Surfing is widely acknowledged as an intense form of exercise which involves healthy levels of aerobic activity. Surfing encourages participants to move their bodies in new ways, practising movements that are different from everyday activities.
The study mentioned above found that, overall, surfing improved the physical wellbeing of the participants.
Core body strength, aerobic capacity, increased grip strength and flexibility were all recorded as being improved after the surf programme study.
2. Surfing Cultivates an Environment of Support
Surfing can be an unforgettable experience, especially when participants are surrounded by an environment of encouragement and support.
Whether surfers are given lessons as a group or as an individual, they have the opportunity to form a trusting relationship with the instructor while also being encouraged to strive for feelings of independence and achievement.
3. Surfing Encourages Social Inclusion
Anecdotal evidence from various surf therapy studies and sessions has also highlighted the beneficial social aspects of surfing.
Even if the surf lessons are one-to-one, a network and sense of community is built up between everyone taking part. Surfing is an inclusive sport that promotes a supportive environment for participants to encourage each other and share one another’s successes.
The energetic nature of the activity allows for a great backdrop for making friends and forming connections.
4. Surfing Supports Confidence and Self Belief
Surfing may seem like a daunting activity at first, but with some guidance from a dedicated instructor and some time in the water, guests will be surprised by how quickly they take to the sport.
Taking part in surfing activities can help boost an individual’s sense of self, helping to improve confidence, self-esteem and a feeling of belonging.
These feelings are incredibly important to developing a positive personal perception. By sparking these feelings towards oneself, the desire to feel challenged is also boosted.
5. Surfing is a Fun Experience
Aside from all those other benefits, surfing is just plain fun, which many of our guests will certainly attest to!
Surfing is a unique sport that pushes individuals to learn numerous new skills, including balance and furthering water knowledge, all while being in a safe and supportive environment where individuals are primarily encouraged to be themselves and have fun.
The accessible surfing activities that we offer here at Calvert Trust Exmoor are available to both children and adults. Specialist beach equipment and adaptive surfboards are also provided to ensure everyone can take part comfortably.
Please note that surfing trips are not included in a standard break package. To find out more about our surf experiences or any of our other accessible activities and disability holidays, please get in touch.