Accessible Activities For Families with A Disabled Child
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic we are able to offer some subsidised Family Day Activities for a limited time throughout September and October.
Thanks to funding, Bendrigg can offer some heavily subsidised day activities over the coming months for families with a disabled child. The cost of £144 is for the whole family however at least one child must have a disability and be aged 17 years or younger to access these activity days. Each day is for one family/bubble (up to a maximum of 12 people).
To ensure we support as many people as possible booking is limited to one day per family. Please book your slot using our booking link below and we will be in touch to find out more details about your family (number of people, ages, needs etc.)
Day activities will run from 9.30am-4.30pm and could include a selection of activities such as canoeing, cycling, sensory room, archery, zip wire, orienteering, sensory swing and tube slide. Activity availability depends on a number of factors so not all activities may be available on each day. After booking, one of our Tutors will be in touch with you to discuss your individual requirements and suitable activities.
A guest blog from Dawn Flint, mum to the lovely Lewis, 14.
What does Bendrigg mean to Lewis and I? Everything!
Throughout Lewis’ life ‘He’s happy watching the other children’ is a phrase I’ve heard time and time again. Those words are guaranteed to make my blood boil! Lewis is not happy watching others, he wants to be involved in everything.
We often describe Lewis as a white knuckle child.
He loves adventure, activity and speed. Bendrigg is one of very few places where he can experience all of those and participate in absolutely everything on offer!
Lewis is 14 and has an un-diagnosed genetic condition.
He has no independent mobility orspeech and is reliant on us for all his care needs. Lewis uses an eye gaze communication aid to communicate and is constantly talking about Bendrigg, telling us that he loves theclimbing wall, tube slide and indoor swing.
Lewis has been to Bendrigg 9 or 10 times over the last 5 years either with myself on family weekends or with school.
I can honestly say that our weekends at Bendrigg are the highlights of our year!
Watching Lewis climb walls and abseil back down, laugh with delight as he goes down a tube slide, relax in the amazing sensory room, grin as he spins round the room on a swing suspended from the ceiling to his favorite music and all alongside friends. It’s a truly heart-warming and magical place.
The staff at Bendrigg are amazing, taking as much time as is needed to make sure every child can participate. It’s all done with smiles on their faces and encouraging words. It truly is our favorite place to be, offering adventure, fun and friendship for all.
The latest video in our Adventure for All series follows the lovely Bancroft Family. We asked them to share “a life in the day of the Bancrofts” and captured their recent residential to Bendrigg with PHAB families.
“For anyone with 3 young boys, life can be tough, but when you have a child with additional needs, things can become much more of a challenge” – Lisa, Mum
Archie, aged 11, has a rare genetic condition called Cri Du Chat syndrome. Learning difficulties, poor muscle tone & a high-pitched cat like tone of voice are amongst a few of the symptoms caused by this condition.
Over time, Lisa (Mum) and Matt (Dad), have built up a great network of support through attending various clubs, activities and Cri Du Chat conferences which has helped them to feel less isolated and build confidence as a family.
Phab Clubs
Phab has been providing inclusive opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people of all ages since 1957. There are around 150 Phab Clubs across England and Wales, some meeting weekly, where people can enjoy each other’s company and take part in a wide range of activities and social events such as crafts, discos, sport, music, games, theatre visits or trips out.
Phab also provides a programme of exciting Residential Holiday Projects for families, children, young people and young adults, many of which are held at Bendrigg Trust. Whilst being away from home, either for a weekend or a week, everyone can make the most of the outdoor activities on offer, build their self-esteem, confidence and independence,make friends and have a huge amount of fun!
To find out more about the amazing Phab Holiday Projects or to see where your nearest Phab Club is then please go to our website www.phab.org.uk or call Rebecca Hargreaves (National Projects Manager) on 01254 824784
Riding For The Disabled
Riding For The Disabled (RDA) is a nationwide project which aims to enrich lives through horses. Run entirely by volunteers, RDA provides therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement through horse and carriage rides.
They welcome clients with physical and learning disabilities and autism, and there are no age restrictions. With centres located all across the UK you can use the search tool by clicking on their website below to find a group that’s local to you.
In the video you may remember seeing Archie smiling from ear to ear, riding along on a fabulous Tom Cat Trike. Going out on the bikes is a great activity for all the family, but for the Bancroft’s and probably many other families, purchasing an adaptive trike is only possible with some financial support.
The Tom Cat Trikes have a great page on their website which tells you about funding organisations that may be able to help towards the cost of a Tom Cat Trike.
It was wonderful to see all of the families from PHAB enjoying taking park in our adventure activitiesTOGETHER. Did you know that we run open family weekends where families with a disabled member (Parent or/and child) can come to Bendrigg for a fully inclusive weekend of FUN!
