The Importance of Rest for Caregivers
Whether rest takes the form of relinquishing your responsibilities for a couple of hours, having a relaxing day to yourself or enjoying a several-week-long holiday, it is vital for both caregivers and the people they look after.
Recognising the importance of rest can help carers avoid burnout, reap the benefits of a change of scenery and ensure their own mental and physical health is taken care of.
At Calvert Exmoor, we are committed to providing exciting, accessible holidays for people with disabilities and their carers. We understand how vital it is that caregivers have the opportunity to spend time with the people they care for outside of the caring role, trying new things together.
Finding the Time to Rest
Being a caregiver is a rewarding role, but it is often one that can be demanding. Finding time for yourself as a carer can sometimes seem a low priority in face of other challenges.
A sense of personal well-being for caregivers improves the relationship with those they care for through the reduction of stress. Sometimes, those who require care can feel like a burden to their carers, and caregivers can feel overwhelmed by the responsibility within the routine of looking after someone else.
A Chance to Care For Your Own Needs
When you have someone else’s needs at the forefront of your mind, it can be easy to let your own well-being fall to the wayside. But, you cannot care for someone else as effectively if you don’t first attend to your own mental, physical and social needs.
Fun activities alongside the individual you look after, whether it’s for several hours or a longer accessible holiday, means you can enjoy the thrill for yourself, helping to remove some of life’s pressure.
With built-in time for something different, you ensure you do have the time to care for yourself, recharge and experience the same things your care users are.
New Opportunities Together
For some, looking after themselves, as well as someone else can feel like a never-ending task, often leaving caregivers feeling socially isolated and withdrawn. A change of scenery and the chance to try new things can help ease the sense that, as a caregiver, you are trapped in a bubble or restricted by your normal routine.
When visiting a dedicated activity centre like Calvert Exmoor, both you and the person you care for can more easily get out there and dare to do something different! By offering a range of accessible and inclusive activities, there is a way for everyone to get involved.
Adventure Activities for Everyone
We believe that nobody should be left out. Whether it’s abseiling, climbing, or horse and carriage riding, we understand the value of offering unforgettable experiences that are accessible to people of all abilities.
Our holidays are designed for everyone and provide a great opportunity to find recuperation through adventure while still spending time with those you care for. We understand that needing rest is not always about getting away from the person you look after, but it can sometimes be undertaking new and exciting experiences to bring you closer together.
If you or someone you know is a caregiver that is looking to try something new with the people they look after, please do not hesitate to get in touch to find out more about our accessible breaks.
What is an Invisible Disability? Understanding Hidden Disabilities
Thanks to the vital work of disability organisations and charities, disability awareness has become more widespread over recent years, but there are still many ways society can be more inclusive and aim to dismantle the stigma attached to various disabilities.
As a centre for accessible holidays in Devon, we welcome guests of all abilities and backgrounds, catering to everyone’s needs. We’ve seen first-hand how disability can affect people in different ways and how valuable an accessible place that embraces everyone can be.
Non-visible disabilities can often get lost in the conversation surrounding disability. We take a look at what is meant by this term and how you can better support people with non-visible disabilities.
What is a Hidden Disability?
An invisible disability is a physical, mental or neurological condition or impairment that is not immediately obvious to an outside perspective and may go unnoticed by others. Invisible disabilities can make performing daily activities difficult, with these challenges exacerbated by a wider population that misunderstands the nature of unseen disabilities.
Different individuals may identify with varying terms, depending on which best reflects their experience. Along with ‘invisible disability’, you may see the following terms being used:
- Non-visible disability
- Unseen disability
- Hidden disability
- Less-visible disability
- Non-apparent disability
The perceived visibility of an impairment may change over time; sometimes, an individual may feel that their disability is ‘visible’ or it may be less visible, also changing depending on who is perceiving the disability. The term ‘dynamic disability’ can be used to reflect this to some degree, as some individuals may use something like a mobility aid at certain times but not others.
It is important to remember that just because you personally cannot see that someone has a disability, it does not mean it does not exist.
What is Considered an Invisible Disability?
Non-visible disabilities can encompass a range of things – there is no one way to experience non-apparent disabilities. Examples of an invisible disability might include, but are by no means limited to:
- Chronic pain or fatigue
- Other chronic conditions like diabetes
- Mental health conditions like depression, schizophrenia, PTSD and anxiety
- Autism
- Blindness or visual impairments
- Deafness or hearing impairments
- Cognitive impairments like traumatic brain injuries and learning disabilities
- Various other diverse conditions
A person may have multiple disabilities, with some being visible and some being non-visible.
Supporting People with Non-Visible Disabilities
As with any disability, the kind of support an individual with non-visible disabilities needs will vary. You should always listen to the individual rather than assuming everyone expects, requires and appreciates the same kind of support. Never make assumptions about what a person with disabilities, visible or non-visible, can or cannot do.
Some people may choose to keep their disability private, while others may wear a badge or symbol that makes others aware they have a non-visible disability. The sunflower lanyard from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme is one example of how people use an outward sign to signify their disability.
Remember, even if someone is not wearing a sign like this, it does not mean they are lying about their disability – it is not their responsibility to prove to you that they have a disability, nor is it in your purview to ask.
Ignorant reactions to invisible disabilities can further expose incorrect perceptions about disability in general, reinforcing certain stigmas and leading to misunderstandings.
Invisible Disability Awareness
Ableism can come in many forms, and those with invisible disabilities may experience varying levels of discrimination. Educating yourself, understanding what is meant by non-visible disabilities and recognising how society treats such disabilities are among the first steps towards helping reduce the barriers faced by individuals with non-visible disabilities.
Support begins with respect as the bare minimum. Respect that you may not be able to tell if someone has a disability and respect that how someone expresses their disability is their choice.
Ensuring we create an environment where everyone feels included and accepted is just one of the things we strive for. Everyone deserves a break and a chance to escape the everyday routine. Here at Calvert Exmoor, our accessible adventure activities ensure everyone, no matter their ability, can experience a holiday to remember.
If a break full of accessible climbing, zip lining, archery and more sounds like something you or a loved one would enjoy, please get in touch with the Calvert Exmoor team to book a stay with us.
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.
The Different Types of Sign Language in the UK
For those unfamiliar with sign language, it is not uncommon to assume that there is only one universal signing system. However, this is not the case. It is believed that anywhere between 138 to 300 distinct forms of sign language are currently used worldwide.
Here at Calvert Exmoor, we understand how vital different forms of communication are for human connection in general. No matter your level of ability, learning about sign languages could be life-changing for many people.
Why is Sign Language Important?
Sign language is a language system used mainly by those who have hearing impairments or are deaf. It is essential that this form of communication exists as people with hearing impairments can experience social isolation due to their disability.
Unlike the spoken word, where verbal speech is the main form of interaction, sign language uses the below as the primary ways of communicating:
- Body language
- Gestures
- Facial expressions
Other Ways of Including People With Hearing Impairments
As mentioned above, people with hearing impairments often experience significant isolation. Communication through touch and sight are key aspects of inclusion and can be explored in other ways than sign language.
For example, at Calvert Exmoor, we offer many accessible activities for deaf and hard of hearing guests that provide excellent opportunities for interacting with sense of sight or touch. Some of these opportunities include:
- Adaptive cycling
- Horse riding
- Zip wiring
Guests can expect a focused, attentive approach from our fully-qualified instructors during their stay. Many more exhilarating and deaf-friendly activities are available to encourage social inclusion for a loved one.
Why Are There So Many Forms of Sign Language?
Similar to verbal language, ways of accessible communication develop within cultures and groups of people unique to the area they live in. Therefore, these interactions will be different between communities.
Most sign language systems don’t align with the spoken languages of the environment and tend to be separate language systems.
A good example is the difference between American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL). Both the spoken languages of these communities are the same in that they verbally speak in English, although minute differences exist, for example, the difference between sidewalk and pavement.
However, ASL and BSL share some significant differences as they are in different areas of the world.
How Sign Language is Developed
It is not unusual for sign language to advance from a ‘parent sign language’. An example that highlights this can be found in the similarities between ASL and French Sign Language (LSF).
Despite the geographical distance, they bear resemblance due to the introduction of the ‘methodical sign system’ produced in France during the 18th century. Laurent Clerc, a French teacher who was deaf, shared this system with American deaf education and created what is now known as the American School for the Deaf.
Regional Variations of Sign Language
Similar to accents in spoken language, accents and dialects also exist within sign language. As sign language is more of a secluded form of communication, there tends to be a considerable variation between regions. This is especially prevalent in Britain, where sign language varies between towns and cities across the country.
What Forms of Sign Language Are Used in the UK?
Below are the most common forms of sign language used in the UK. As previously mentioned, different regions will slightly differ according to their dialects.
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- BSL taught through spoken Welsh
- Irish Sign Language (ISL)
- Sign Supported English (SSE)
- Makaton
We go into more detail about these variations below.
British Sign Language (BSL)
The type of sign language used the most in Britain is British Sign Language, also known as BSL. Research in 2011 suggested that BSL is used by around 151,000 people in favour of other sign languages.
According to the BSL website, BSL has its own syntax and grammatical structure unrelated to the English spoken language.
In 2003, the government officially regarded BSL as a minority language after a thorough campaign. As a result, according to the BSL website, awareness of deaf communications has increased, and BSL is recognised in the same way other minority languages are, such as Welsh and Gaelic.
If you want more information about British Sign Language, the BSL website provides further guidance and support. You can also discover how you can take a course in BSL.
Influence in Wales
A more recent advancement is a project by Mudiad Meithrin in Wales, which is prepared to teach young students BSL through the spoken language of Welsh as opposed to English.
Irish Sign Language
Also known as ISL, Irish Sign Language is mainly used in the Republic of Ireland but is also exercised in Northern Ireland. BSL is also commonly used in Northern Ireland.
ISL tends to have similarities to French Sign Language but has a bit of inspiration from BSL too. Like BSL, it doesn’t bear a resemblance to spoken English or Irish.
However, an intriguing aspect of ISL is its gendered sign language. Due to some male and female schools being separate in Ireland, ISL has diverged into two different sign languages.
There is heavy debate within Irish deaf communities regarding the dominance of men’s sign language, and, like with most forms of language, it is likely to evolve.
Sign Supported English (SSE)
Sign Supported English (SSE) is not a language on its own. The signs used are the same as those used in BSL. However, the signs are expressed in the same grammatical order as spoken English.
The key use of SSE is to accompany the learning process of those who have hearing impairments and are learning English grammar as well as sign language.
Why is Makaton Important?
Makaton makes use of graphic symbols, hand signs and spoken language as support for those who may need assistance with communication or have learning difficulties. It could assist the learning development of someone who has down syndrome, a neurological disorder or language impairment, for example.
We actually have more guests who use Makaton than we do BSL at Calvert Exmoor, so our staff have training in and experience with this unique method of communication.
If you require more information about the adventure breaks we offer and are interested in our holidays for deaf adults, please feel free to contact us on 01598 763221 or email us at exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk.
Self-Care Goals to Assist People with Autism
Autism is often referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). When it comes to understanding autism, it is important to remember that autism is considered a spectrum, and encompasses a range of disorders or experiences rather than just one. Consequently, each individual who has autism has different levels of sensory sensitivity.
With years of experience providing autism friendly holidays, at Calvert Exmoor, we cater to a broad spectrum of needs and understand how important it is that people with autism create and achieve self-care goals.
As such, we’ve created some helpful tips for those who would like to introduce self-care goals to an autistic person’s routine. In this blog, we aim to share these.
Why Are Goals Important For People with Autism?
Setting goals, whether big or small, can act as a motivational tool. It is a way to make changes accessible by implementing little lifestyle habits that are easy to repeat.
Having goals can open up more opportunities to gain greater independence in certain aspects of our lives as they offer us a sense of control. Lots of small goals over time can encourage us to make changes beyond what we would have previously thought possible.
Introducing Self-Care Goals
Some individuals who have autism can find organisation challenging. Using prompts and breaking down tasks into manageable steps can help introduce initially difficult tasks to someone who has autism.
This could include things such as:
- Washing
- Getting dressed
- Brushing teeth
- Brushing hair
- Packing a bag
- Making their bed
How to Achieve Self-Care Goals
As previously mentioned, splitting tasks into smaller steps will help them become more manageable. There are a range of ways you can approach this, including:
‘Forward Chaining’
‘Forward chaining’ is a method that The National Autistic Society has recommended. This process involves teaching a skill by breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps, helping to achieve the overall aim.
For example, when brushing your teeth:
- First, take the toothbrush
- Next, rinse the toothbrush with a little bit of water (this step may be an area of debate!)
- Then put a ‘pea-size’ amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush
- Then a drop of water (again, debatable!)
‘Backward Chaining’
Again, this is a method suggested by the National Autistic Society, except this implements the task steps by working from the last step backwards.
Maintain a ‘Sensory Record’
As you try to introduce small goals, we recommend keeping a diary of the reactions caused by certain tasks or scenarios. By taking note of these occurrences, the process can be reviewed and adapted in the future to accommodate the triggers of unease and uncertainty discovered by these records.
A gentle, sensory experience with toys may help ease some symptoms of anxiety and provide relief from overstimulation.
Using Pictures
An excellent way to implement new things, especially for children, is to use illustrations. Leaving pictures as reminders will prompt them to follow the procedure displayed.
For example, the National Autistic Society has suggested putting a diagram, or list, in the bathroom which demonstrates the steps when brushing teeth. You can use pictures found online or create your own.
Prompts
The National Autistic Society suggests that using a mixture of physical, gestural and verbal prompts can help people remember the order they need to accomplish the breakdown of tasks.
Physical Prompts
As the name suggests, this form of prompt is done by accompanying the person as you complete the activity.
For example, holding the toothbrush together and squeezing toothpaste onto it.
Gestural Prompts
This is where you can pretend to do the task to prompt them to follow through with the action. For example, miming brushing your teeth as they brush their teeth in real life.
Verbal Prompts
A verbal prompt is when you remind the person of the next step by saying it to them. For example, ‘rinse the toothbrush and put it in the holder.’
Use Calendars
In order to help schedule these priorities, providing a calendar is a handy tool for people to refer to and act as a reminder.
Be Motivational
To encourage people to achieve their goals, keep it motivational! One of the more successful ways of doing this is through praise. No matter what the task, even if it may seem very minimum, an achievement is an achievement and should receive lots of praise.
By knowing what the person appreciates, you can make the encouragement purposeful to the individual. This may be through verbal praise or a small gift, for example.
Mental Health
If you ever notice a decline in a loved one’s self-care routine, this could indicate underlying issues concerning their mental health. This could be anything from anxiety or depression to forms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
If you feel this may be the case, the National Autistic Society recommends contacting the Autism Helpline, where they can direct you further on the most suitable procedures to take.
Autism Friendly Activities at Calvert Exmoor
Here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we offer accessible activities for people with autism and a range of other disabilities. We love to encourage all our guests to achieve their ambitions and intend to help those who want to set goals while staying with us.
For example, why not give archery a try? This activity offers a pleasant sensory experience for people with ADHD and/or autism, allowing our guests to unwind and gain a sense of accomplishment.
We take great pride in our certified instructors, who encourage independence when supervising activities by using physical, gestural and verbal prompts.
Daily timetables ensure there is a set routine for our guests. We also encourage using our social areas, where guests can meet and support one another before and after sessions.
Our facilities are tailored to assist all kinds of disabilities; for people with autism, we provide a sensory room that contains various receptive toys.
The wide range of adaptive activities and support we provide is only made possible with your help, so please consider supporting us however you can to ensure our guests can continue to feel empowered and confident during and after their stay with us.
Hopefully, the tips mentioned in this blog will offer some helpful pointers for accomplishing self-care goals! If you have any other recommendations, we would love to hear about them on our social media channels like Facebook!
If you would like more information about the Devon activity breaks we offer and are interested in booking a holiday with us, please feel free to contact us on 01598 763221 or email us at exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk.
The Importance of Reaching Out to Others
As an accessible centre that provides activity holidays for people with disabilities, we offer exciting adventure activities that help push individuals out of their comfort zone. We’ve seen first-hand how breaks away like this can boost a person’s confidence and self-esteem, no matter who they are or their circumstances.
Showing that everyone matters and should be able to experience all kinds of things is at the heart of what we do here at Calvert Exmoor. Whoever you are and whatever your ability, we believe it’s what you CAN do that counts.
We work hard to provide an environment of support and know how important it can be to reach out to others when you are struggling.
Checking in With Your Mental Health & Seeking Help
Over the past years, there has been a necessary and welcome surge in mental health support and awareness, making understanding your own mental health and recognising the signs you may need to seek help more accessible.
For many who struggle with mental health challenges, reaching out to seek others’ help is a turning point. Whether this means checking in with a family member, friend, medical professional or support line, this step is often one of the first steps to help you get to a better place.
However, knowing this doesn’t necessarily make it any easier to take those initial steps. If you are struggling yourself or want to support someone you love, there are numerous things you can embrace to make reaching out to others easier, helping to improve wellbeing and happiness.
The Benefits of Having a Reliable Social Support Network
Sometimes being on your own for a while is necessary as a bit of time to yourself can help you work through problems or uncertainties.
However, too much time on your own can become unhealthy, especially over prolonged periods. Humans are social beings, so it is important to have social networks we can trust and turn to when things become difficult.
A sympathetic ear or the presence of someone we can trust can help prevent, or at least ease, feelings of isolation, alienation and rumination.
Knowing you have a trustworthy network of people to turn to can:
- Improve your ability to deal with stress and anxious feelings
- Boost your self-esteem and social skills
- Improve overall health and wellbeing
Not Everyone Finds Talking Easy
For many, the idea of being honest about their feelings or asking for support makes them feel vulnerable, which dissuades them from confronting their difficulties.
While it can feel overwhelming to talk about your problems, it’s important to remember that those who you care about want to listen so they can help support you.
If you talk to someone about your feelings and they haven’t quite reacted the way you thought, this is also okay. We all have different life experiences, and just because a conversation hasn’t gone as you may have hoped doesn’t mean that someone else might not understand.
The person you’ve opened up to may feel unequipped to support you because of their own issues; this does not mean there aren’t other people you can turn to who will be able to help.
Strengthening Connections
If you feel like you don’t have friendships you can rely on, remember it is never too late to open yourself to new experiences, find friends and join new social networks. As life and our circumstances change, so too can our support networks.
Seeking out a local group that celebrates one of your interests or even going on an adventure holiday that can improve mental health can expose you to new people and give you the opportunity to make lifelong friends.
Bonding with like-minded people can also put you in touch with others who have shared similar experiences and can offer advice on how they would deal with a situation.
How to Reach Out to Someone Who is Struggling
If you know that a loved one isn’t quite themselves, sometimes giving them the space to reach out is required.
However, if your loved one hasn’t connected with you in some time, it may be time for you to open the conversation by letting them know you are around to listen without pushing the issue too much.
By opening the door to communication, you allow them to move at their own pace, ensuring they don’t feel ambushed or shamed.
Creating a Safe Space
If you want to offer support, creating a safe space where your loved one feels like they can explain their thoughts, feelings and worries is essential.
It is not your place to judge, only to show you care about their struggles and will do what you can to help, whether this means helping them seek professional support or just being a friendly face to chat to at the end of a hard day.
It’s Not All About Talking
As much as talking about our problems can offer relief, building healthy, supportive relationships relies on more than just having the tough conversations. Simply spending time with someone and taking part in activities together can be extremely beneficial.
This shows you are there for the good times and hard times, proving you to be a reliable presence in someone’s life and a friend they can lean on.
One of our goals at Calvert Exmoor is to bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy a range of fantastic accessible adventure activities in Devon. If this sounds like something you or a loved one would enjoy, get in touch today to find out more about the accessible holidays we offer.
How to Promote Disability Awareness
How to Promote Disability Awareness
There are roughly 14.1 million disabled people in the UK. This number may surprise some as disabilities are not always visible or openly discussed.
Although many charities and disability advocates have worked tirelessly over the years to bring more visibility to various disabilities and help give disabled people a voice, there is still a long way to go when it comes to the mainstream promotion of disability awareness.
As providers of adventure holidays for people with disabilities, creating an inclusive, welcoming environment and supporting equality is at the heart of what we do.
To that end, we share some ideas on how to promote and encourage disability awareness in your community! Our list is certainly not exhaustive, but we hope to inspire and motivate those who may not know where to begin.
Why is Disability Awareness Important?
If you are not disabled, chances are you know someone or numerous people who are, yet there is still much misinformation and ignorance surrounding disability. Because so much of the non-disabled population is unaware of the barriers disabled people face, the flaws of society can go unaddressed.
Promoting disability awareness is about considering how we can work together to recognise and remove social and workplace barriers to create more inclusive environments for all who have dealt with discrimination because of disability.
Creating Equality Through Education
Learning more about disability is essential in improving equal opportunities for disabled people. Accessible education helps more people understand the reality of having a disability compared to how it is commonly perceived.
Some believe that disability itself is the sole reason why someone faces barriers in their life. However, it is not an impairment that hinders a person but a discriminatory environment that doesn’t accommodate diversity.
With more awareness comes the opportunity for a more accessible and equal world. This would transform the day-to-day lives of disabled people by improving things that many non-disabled people may take for granted, such as access to buildings or other facilities.
The general assumption that disabled people are unable to do certain things can also be challenged through increased awareness. Assumptions like this can include the belief that a disabled person is unable to:
- Live independently
- Have children
- Be employed
These types of assumptions need to be addressed and changed.
Using the Correct Language to Talk About Disability
Awareness campaigns often begin by starting a conversation. The kind of language we use in these conversations can have a significant impact on others’ perceptions of disability.
Educating yourself on current and preferred disability terminology is essential. If you hear others using hurtful or outdated terms, do your best to inform them about inclusive language in a productive manner.
Words and their definitions will change and evolve over time, so make sure to keep informed about the most up-to-date language.
You can learn more about how to talk about disability in our guide to acceptable and unacceptable disability terminology.
Get Informed
Becoming informed doesn’t stop at the correct language usage. To develop a deeper understanding of disability, you need to appreciate the impact that a prejudiced society can have on people with disabilities, understand how many people it affects and how you can support changing it.
There are many organisations out there to help inform people, including:
If you are hoping to spread awareness on a large scale, such as through a social media campaign, it is integral you know the facts and present them properly, so make sure to get educated by recognised sources.
Lead By Example
It is important to model the correct behaviour, so others can take your lead when they themselves are not informed – this might be within your friendship group, family, workplace or wider community.
If you witness anything that undermines a disabled person, it is important to speak up. Ensure that everyone interacts with respect and genuine support, especially in public situations where others may copy your behaviour.
Don’t act out of pity, but instead strive for equality and meaningful change.
Disability Awareness and Inclusion in the Workplace
There are many ways workplaces can become more inclusive, with training and workplace initiatives becoming more common over recent years.
Places to start when opening up the conversation about inclusion in the workplace include:
- Encouraging volunteering opportunities
- Facilitating fundraising events
- Hosting training sessions on unconscious bias or barriers in the workplace.
Engage With Inclusive Media
Media, whether this means books, TV shows or movies, can at times offer a narrow view of the world, often not representing disabled people or doing so poorly. Seeking inclusive media can be a great way to bring disability awareness into the everyday life of people of all ages.
Positive portrayals of a disabled person help remove harmful stereotypes about disabled people not being able to do certain things or living their life in a certain way.
Look for media that uplifts disabled voices; stories and the media can do wonders for changing perceptions and societal norms, challenging views that disabled people are defined by their disability.
Support Charities & Donate
Change cannot be made through awareness alone; you also need to take direct action. Supporting charities and donating where you can is one great way to further the cause of disability awareness and support other disability campaigns.
Even if you cannot donate, offering your time as a volunteer can be another effective way to support your local charities.
Sign Petitions
It may not seem like it, but signing petitions for things that you care about can make a difference.
If there are petitions that you feel can change the lives of disabled people, whether national or local, you should support the cause that is close to your heart and your beliefs.
Follow Disability Awareness Groups on Social Media
Social media is a great way to stay up to date with key information and events, so make sure to follow groups and organisations that promote disability awareness!
This also allows you to share relevant information on your own social media channels to help spread awareness to your followers and beyond.
Disability Awareness Months & Days
Numerous organisations host awareness months for various disabilities throughout the year. These kinds of campaigns generate public awareness and prompt more people to get involved through donating and volunteering.
UK Disability History Month is an annual event that aims to discuss the oppression of disabled people in the past and present and provides education to ensure individuals can work towards equality and become agents of change. In 2021, the campaign takes place from the 18th of November to the 18th of December.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is another awareness campaign held every year on December 3rd. This campaign focuses on highlighting disability issues and discussing the changes that can be made to promote equality and inclusivity in all societies.
We have only touched on a few useful ways to promote disability awareness here; there are plenty more ways to get creative and show your support. If you have any further advice, please share it with us on our Facebook page; we’d love to hear from you!
If you’d like to find out more about our accessible adventure holidays and the inclusive activities we offer, please get in touch.
Everything You Need to Know About Horse Riding for People with Disabilities
Among our accessible facilities, our site at Calvert Trust Exmoor includes our accessible riding stables, so school groups, families and much more can all enjoy a day out with our extended family – our horses and ponies.
We include horse riding as it is a sport where everyone can get involved and make memories together. The sport has been recognised to help support physical and emotional development while also helping people feel happier and more confident.
Calvert Trust Exmoor’s Accessible Riding Stables
Here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we have our very own on-site riding school. We are recognised for having a high standard of facilities and are approved by the British Horse Society. We have a BHS-Accredited Professional Coach among our team, and our carriage driving instructors are trained to British Driving Society standards.
On each session, our committed team work together to ensure that your experience with Calvert Trust Exmoor is as inclusive as possible. Our horses are specially selected and trained to ensure that they have the right temperament for our guests to interact with and the right size for riding.
Horse Riding for People with Disabilities at Calvert Trust
We constantly strive to make all of our facilities as accessible as possible, to share our experiences with each of our visitors. Guests are provided with several different activity options during their time at our stable school so that we can cater to all disabilities.
Horse based activities are a great way to develop confidence, increase independence, and hone new skills in an inclusive and enjoyable way. Our friendly horses and specially-trained staff give everyone a sense of calm and wellbeing while supporting our guests to challenge themselves and have fun.
Riding School Activities and Sessions
Individuals are offered a variety of activities that include riding a horse, playing games and improving their confidence around horses. For those unable to mount a horse, we also offer a carriage riding experience, where you will be able to take the reins and drive!
When on a session at our riding school, we ensure that everyone meets and interacts with various horses and ponies. We support things like stroking during our sessions, as this sensory experience supports the development of motor skills and nerve connections.
We even provide the opportunity to learn more about horse behaviour and ‘how to speak horse’, alongside other stable management tasks such as grooming, tacking up, and mucking out.
As well as getting your hands dirty, we also offer opportunities to experience pony agility sessions, where you will work with the pony to get over and around various obstacles.
Availability
It’s worth noting that our horse and carriage riding sessions are only available on midweek or full-week breaks; they do not take place at weekends.
To ensure our horses and ponies’ health, there is a weight restriction for our guests who wish to participate in riding and carriage driving.
What are the Overall Benefits of Horse Riding for People with Disabilities?
A 2018 study demonstrated that horse riding is a therapeutic activity for young people and children. Over the course of the study, it presented a great range of positive health benefits for various diagnoses, including developmental, physical and behavioural.
Confidence
Horse riding helps individuals to gain more confidence and express who they are. By building their confidence, you’ll see a wonderful change in mood, self-esteem and self-belief. The ongoing development of self-confidence supports the individuals to get more involved and socialise with others.
Movement
Horse riding can also help increase a range of movement; this is because the horse allows the pelvis, spine and other associated muscles to work together as they would if they were walking. This rhythmic movement relaxes tight and stiff muscles, improving their core, coordination and balance.
As well as this, horse riding helps participants gain a greater awareness of their body’s capabilities! As well as supporting the strength of their body, the horse’s movement motivates participants to look up from the ground and grow awareness and interest in their surroundings.
Sense of Accomplishment
The horse’s immediate feedback in response to the rider’s actions helps individuals discover a new set of skills and guide the horse. By experiencing this accessible activity, participants often feel a sense of success and mastery. Overall, this empowerment helps participants to build on their self-advocacy and make independent choices.
Connection
Due to the nature of horse riding, riders are presented with many opportunities to interact with others in the group, including the horses. Accompanied by their growing sense of self-esteem, riders are more likely to develop their communication skills and connect to those around them.
Adapt to Change
Experiencing change can often trigger anxiety; horse riding presents various opportunities to help riders overcome this. In the study, some riders began to accept and seek change freely. This experience allows riders to experience less anxiety, demonstrate their courage and adapt to situations much quicker.
Benefits of Carriage Driving
We understand that not all of our guests can horse ride due for a variety of reasons. To ensure that each of our guests gets to share the experience with one of our horses, we also provide carriage riding and driving.
Carriage riding supports our visitors to improve:
- Coordination
- Muscle power
- Balance
As well as supporting the driver’s physical abilities, the experience can be quite soothing, helping the driver relax thanks to the rhythmic movement of the horse pulling the carriage and the added benefit of being out in the open air.
Benefits of Horse Riding for Cerebral Palsy
Horses have been used to help treat cerebral palsy since the 1970s. Methods like hippotherapy have been used to help support and enhance individuals’ neurological and physical abilities. The approach was first discovered in the 1960s; it was based on the learned and spontaneous reactions that naturally evolve from riding a horse.
Horse riding is an enjoyable activity that offers riders benefits in a range of physical areas, such as:
- Muscle strength
- Spasticity
- Weight shifting
- Posture
- Balance
- Joint flexibility
- Coordination
- And much more!
Not only does horse riding have a great range of physical benefits, but it also offers a great range of psychological ones! Reports have shown that children with cerebral palsy that enjoy horse riding can develop improvements in:
- Cognitive development
- Courage in movement and position change
- Overall mood
- Confidence and sense of responsibility
Benefits of Horse Riding for Brain Injuries
Animal Assisted Therapy has been shown to significantly improve the communication skills of those who have suffered brain injuries.
Studies have shown that using animals, such as horses, as a means of therapy has led to a significant increase in social behaviour, including verbal and non-verbal communication. One major component of this stems from the individual’s motivation to care for the animals, which often inspires them to do tasks they might usually struggle with.
Benefits of Horse Riding for Autism
Studies have shown that children with autism can acquire long and short-term benefits from horse riding. Direct contact with horses has been shown to reduce irritability and hyperactivity.
Short-Term Benefits
Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have documented a great range of short-term benefits for autistic children who have engaged with horseback riding. Human-animal interactions have been proven to support the improvement of emotional health and social wellness.
Within these results, the children riding horses showed a reduction in irritability and hyperactivity. As well as this, they also showed an improvement in their social skills and word fluency.
Long-term Benefits
After following up their results, the researchers found that horse riding had lasting benefits on the riders. The children had maintained their reduction in irritability and growth in social skills and word fluency.
Benefits of Horse Riding for Down Syndrome
Horse riding is an excellent activity for people with down syndrome; it provides sensory stimulation for muscles and joints and helps to support the development of balance and movement.
The sensory activity is very tactile, as it often includes stroking, hugging and patting the horse. This is important for any form of special needs as it helps build the brain’s nerve connections, improve cognitive growth, and support the development of motor skills.
Horse riding is also a great way to instil confidence in riders and develop memory, strength and coordination, while still providing a fun and exciting experience.
Benefits of Horse Riding for ADHD
Animals have been proven to be beneficial for people with ADHD, especially children.
If a child runs up to a horse impulsively, the horse might withdraw, but if the child calmly approaches the horse, it will respond more positively. Horses have been used throughout therapy to help people with ADHD to connect to others.
While riding, horses respond to verbal and non-verbal communication through their reigns and the rider’s legs. Experiencing this form of communication can be very effective. Not only is the overall experience calming, but it requires teamwork, too, increasing the rider’s focus and organisation skills.
Benefits of Horse Grooming for Dementia
A study has shown that people who suffer from dementia experience a boost in physical activity and ease in symptoms after caring for horses. While spending time with the horses, researchers found that people who have dementia experienced an immediate lift in mood.
The study also demonstrated a clear improvement in overall behaviour; even those who often acted withdrawn were fully engaged with the experience. As well as this, caring for horses instilled a motivational cause to push their physical boundaries, like walking unassisted or standing from their wheelchair.
We hope this article has helped share some of the benefits that horse riding provides for people with disabilities. If you want to find out more about our activities, contact our team or browse our blog.
Acceptable and Unacceptable Disability Terminology
Using acceptable terminology to talk about disability is not merely about being ‘politically correct’ – it is about removing barriers, changing assumptions and creating an inclusive environment that welcomes all.
As an accessible activity centre that welcomes those of all ages and abilities, here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we are committed to ensuring everyone has a better understanding of inclusive language and behaviour.
We understand that, for many, using the wrong language comes from being unaware rather than being willfully hurtful; so, it is important that everyone does what they can to educate themselves and help spread awareness of the proper vocabulary to use when discussing disabilities.
How to Talk & Write About Disability
It should be noted that not everyone will agree on what exactly is acceptable or unacceptable. However, while there may be some disparity when considering the correct terms on an individual basis, there are some general language guidelines that you should be aware of.
If you are unsure about what words and phrases to use, you should ask the person you are talking to to find out which terms they are comfortable with, as different individuals may identify with certain things.
Language is constantly evolving as definitions change over time and disability advocates become more prominent, so it is also vital to keep up to date with acceptable language and remain sensitive to the changes.
The recommendations that inform this guide comes from the Government website, the NHS, and various disability-specific charities that work with disability advocates to establish inclusive language guidelines.
The Social Model of Disability & Language
Developed by people with disabilities, this model concludes that individuals are disabled by the barriers that society inflicts, not by their impairment.
Language plays an essential role in this model as using the correct language helps change cultural assumptions and encourages the use of positive terms over negative and medical terminology.
Some may not relate to the social model of disability, so again, it is important to have conversations with the people with disabilities in your life to understand which terms they consider appropriate.
General Inclusive Terminology
You should not use the term ‘the disabled’ when referring to a collective group; instead, use ‘people with disabilities’ to put emphasis on the fact that individuals are not defined by a disability – the term disabled is descriptive, not a group of people.
Acceptable: people with disabilities
Unacceptable: the disabled, the handicapped
In regards to accessible facilities:
Acceptable: accessible toilets/parking, parking for blue or orange badge holders
Unacceptable: disability-friendly, disabled toilets/parking
You should also avoid using terms like ‘able-bodied’ as this implies people with disabilities are unable – instead, use ‘non-disabled’.
Individuals & Their Disabilities
When referring to individuals with disabilities:
Acceptable: has ‘x’/has a diagnosis of ‘x’ (name of the condition, e.g. autism, depression, epilepsy)
Unacceptable: illness, suffers from, handicapped, invalid
You should avoid negative terms relating to illness as some may not consider themselves unwell or ‘having a condition’. The term ‘diagnosed with’ is also unacceptable to some as it centres a medical professional’s opinion rather than an individual.
Autism
When talking about autism:
Acceptable: person with autism, person on the autism spectrum
Unacceptable: people living with autism, an autistic
When talking about Asperger’s syndrome:
Acceptable: it is a form of autism
Unacceptable: it is not a rare or mild form of autism
Mobility
When discussing mobility:
Acceptable: wheelchair user, walks with a mobility aid
Unacceptable: mobility problems, wheelchair-bound
Saying someone is wheelchair-bound implies they are restrained or restricted, so the preferred term for most is ‘wheelchair user’. For many, this term more accurately represents the experience and doesn’t perpetuate stereotypes.
Many people may avoid engaging with the topic of disability and the correct terminology for fear of saying the wrong thing. However, learning about acceptable terms can go a long way to make people feel more included and accepted by society.
If you would like to learn more about our accessible adventure breaks and our work here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can also find a rundown on what to expect from a weekend away with us below.
Please include attribution to https://calvertexmoor.org.uk/ when using the graphic in this article.