Last updated at 15:23, Tuesday, 29 July 2008

The centre in Keswick provides a range of outdoor activities designed to promote confidence and independence and provide rehabilitation for visitors with learning, physical and sensory disabilities. For over 30 years, Calvert Trust has been enabling people with disabilities, together with their families and friends, to achieve their potential through outdoor adventure activities in the countryside. Today its three centres welcome over 11,000 visitors each year.

The intrepid party that went up Latrigg, Keswick in half a gale

Ages from three to ninety three are catered for and the centre provdes a vital resourcen for people with learning disabilites, multiple sensory disabilities and a venue for family breaks.

The courses offered revolve around four main areas. Canoeing, sailing, climbingand horse riding. Activities manager Nick Liley stressed that the activities themselves are a means of tackling personal requirements and goals rather than an end in themselves. Nick said,

"We design courses around the individual. Our aim is to work on areas of personal development with every visitor. Rehabilitation, confidence, independence and team building are vitasl skills which we can help to enhance through the activities and challenges we offer at the Calvert Trust."

Ten full time instructors at the site cater for up to fifty visitors per week, each with their own individual development programs. It is a demanding role forf the instructors as every visitor arrives with their own unique set of requiremenst and needs. Nick said,

"People with learning disabilities need a lot of patience and emapthy. It's a challenge for every one of our instructors here. It's a demanding role, intense and often very emotional. We're fortunate to have such a good team at Keswick."

The Trust is a charitable organisation and has always relied on donations to supplement its income from visitors. Larger projects and plans demand a different approach and the trust has recently employed a Marketing Manageer to raise funds for two new schemes in the pipeline.

A new Water Centre is top of the wish list and the trust hope to raise enough funds to begi work on the centre in May 2009. The pool will provide specialist facilities including water jets which will allow canoe training in a safe environment and the opportunity to practice capsize techniques in a safe environment. A lowering floor in the pool will also provide opportunities for practising deep watern rescue. The centre also hopes to offer jacuzzi and sauna facuilities which will also be availabe to members of the public in Keswick.

Another appeal is looking to raise 2.8 million in order to develop a whellchair challenge course on the Calvert trust site. The group hopes to extend the existing course and make it a challenge for users of all abilities.

The centre provides a challenging environment for visitors and instructors alike and looks set to build on its success over the coming years. nick said,

"The centre provides provides a brilliant resource for personal development and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our supporters and sponsors. The generosity of our supporters makes a massive impact on a lot of people's lives."

First published at 11:00, Monday, 28 July 2008
Published by http://www.keswicklocal.co.uk