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Bendrigg Trust is a specialist outdoor education centre, based in Kendal Cumbria. Nestled between the yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park, Bendrigg Trust, has provided residential courses throughout the UK for the past 40 years. Over 87,000 disabled & disadvantaged people have enjoyed outdoor adventure holidays thanks to this amazing organisation.
Led by a team of highly qualified & experienced tutors, adventurous activities are provided for people of all ages and abilities.
Our founder, Debbie North recently spent a morning at the centre to see first-hand what the Bendrigg Trust has to offer.
“On a very wet and rainy day in November, I was invited to Bendrigg Trust to have a look at their facilities. Though the weather outside was terrible, the inside of the centre was brimming with sunshine. The rays of light came beaming from the staff with whom I had the privilege to meet. During coffee break I met with a few of the staff and volunteers who work at Bendrigg and their love and commitment to what they provide clearly shined bright.
On my guided tour of their campus, I was blown away by the onsite facilities that they have to offer from a climbing wall which is fitted for all abilities, including wheelchair users, to an indoor caving system. I just loved their state-of-the-art sensory room – a therapeutic space where children can explore their senses.
Outside there is 15 acres of beautiful grounds for visitors to explore. There is a woodland walkway with accessible orienteering, sculpture trail & musical instrument garden as well as a zip wire which is capable of taking wheelchair users. The rope trail was just amazing, and was the tube slide.
Offsite, the centre offers a range of activities including canoeing and caving.
Acorn House offers accommodation for up to 24 residential visitors. Once again, the facilities are exemplar, from profiling bed to ceiling mounted hoist. So much thought has been put into their inclusive provision.
It really was a honour to be invited to have a guided tour of their facilities. I firmly believe that Access the Dales and Bendrigg Trust can really work in partnership to enhance the quality of life experiences for people with disabilities and their families and carers. ”
Like many outdoor centres, Bendrigg has struggled through covid. All residential holidays came to a halt and without the valuable revenue from residential visits, Bendrigg has been surviving on money raised through their fundraising efforts.
This year Access the Dales are pleased to be supporting the Bendrigg Trust
BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE 2021
We are helping them to raise £30K in just 7 days and you can support them too.
During the Big Give Christmas Challenge week (midday Tuesday 30th November – midday Tuesday 7th December) If you donate to Bendrigg Trust via this link during the challenge https://bit.ly/BendriggBigGive2021 your donation will be DOUBLED!
They really need your support to reach their target, so that they can enable even more people with disabilities to have life changing adventures, helping to improve their confidence, wellbeing and give them greater independence.