I’ve just come back from a physical disabilities weekend at Bendrigg Trust . If you or someone in your family have any kind of disability this truly is a place to go to have an amazing adventure.

They offer many courses for adults, children and families please check out the link for yourself
https://www.bendrigg.org.uk/

Bendrigg Trust is a registered charity and they make the prices of these breaks more affordable for all so that everyone gets the chance to try outdoor activities no matter what physical disabilities one may have.

They find ways to make an outdoor adventure possible for all.

I personally have been there many times both before and after my disability .

The first time I went I was approximately 18 years old (I’m 50 this year) and had a little spare time so I volunteered to support a visiting group of teenagers most of whom were in wheelchairs). I loved seeing a strong focus on making it possible for these amazing people to try things that they most probably never thought they would ever do.

That week we abseiled, canoed, camped out , went down slides and zip wires and much more. Ways were found even with the most complex physical conditions that people had. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience there.

My next visit to was during my time as a support worker . It was 1999 and one of my clients who liked being outdoors decided to try it out . I have many fine memories of that trip . We went caving ,abseiling, lots of different things.

The company I worked for also decided it would be good to have a day there doing team building exercises and disability awareness training as anything gained could only benefit the people that we supported .

My next visit at Bendrigg was as me being a client. I got sick in 2010 . My illness very quickly caused many mobility issues and I ended up needing a wheelchair and other equipment .

As I’d been so physically active prior to I felt that my life was over. I also had a young family that I was so desperate to experience adventures with.

At some point I remembered my times and experiences at Bendrigg so I looked them up again to find out that they had started doing family courses for anyone who had a disabled family member to go on a course where we all do activities together.

I can’t express enough how much being able to be outdoors with my children doing all the activities I love, meant to me. Let me tell you that this is the most special bonding experience to have as a family. Something I thought I wouldn’t ever have the opportunity to do when I became ill.

Not only is it enjoyable it also gives you the mental tools to look at ways ways to do activities by slightly adapting things so they work for you.

I honestly can’t say enough good things about Bendrigg Trust. It’s an experience of a life time that not many places are able to offer.

The accommodation is fantastic and has all the equipment you will need during your visit. The food is all homemade and is delicious. The staff are so accommodating.

My condition got worse a few years ago but I still managed to go with the assistance of a carer. Just this weekend I have gained so much knowledge of being able to still do things despite having limited movement in parts of my body.
I tried some of the equipment (active hands ) and managed to play table tennis. I never thought I’d be able to do that! It also enabled me to paddle a canoe with the others in my group. I did a zip wire, archery, climbing.

I’m hoping to go again with my children as they love it there and we gain so much as a family.

I encourage everyone to look at this gem of a place to make your dreams happen, to inspire you to get a different perspective of how to conquer physical challenges in your life. I promise you that it will inspire you and open your eyes to endless opportunities that you can create for yourself.