Bendrigg Climbing Club

Bendrigg Trust Para Climbing Club is great for people of all abilities, so whether you have never climbed before or you are an experienced climber looking to progress your skills, our wall offers a variety of challenges to suit all abilities.

Our highly skilled staff will support you to take part in climbing whatever your ability and we have a range of specialist equipment available for attendees use during sessions free of charge including hoists, climbing shoes, helmets and a variety of harnesses.

I have been going to the Bendrigg Trust climbing club fortnightly for about 3 years. I really enjoy the challenge of working out how to reach the top and the joy of achieving it.

It is a good experience to meet new people, develop new friendships with regular attendees, of which there is a growing number, and celebrate achievements of progression and consistent standards of safety of participants.

The achievements and consistency of participants is recognised by the NICAS awards scheme and achieved with the help of the staff and volunteers at the club with consistent and easy to learn techniques and instructions explained in an understandable and memorable way with risks explained but not in a put off frightening way.

I, and many other participants I am sure, will continue to attend for as long as we can and hope the club run for many years to come. – Chris Anderson

Dates & Booking

The club runs fortnightly during term time on a Wednesday from 5:30pm – 7pm and enables people of all abilities to climb in a safe, supported and fun environment.

This club was made possible by Cumbria Community Foundation through the Young Persons Opportunity Fund – A huge thanks for their funding and support.

Places must be booked in advance as maximum numbers do apply. Check availability and book your place here.

Rock Days

Last week the twins took part in their first ever outdoor Rock Day, thanks to Bendrigg! I don’t often see them climb and an outdoor quarry is a different challenge. It was incredible to watch them working together and with different staff, achieving new skills and overcoming challenges. Chris never gives up and sometimes gets frustrated that everything seems hard work or more difficult to organise for him to access in a wheelchair. Bendrigg enable him with the right equipment and skilled staff and his determination ensures he succeeds. – Christine (Mum of Climbing Club participant)

Please Note

2023 Climbing Festival

On Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd January 2023 Bendrigg are once again hosting their fabulous climbing festival. With a jam packed programme of workshops and training sessions at our specialist outdoor centre in Kendal, Cumbria, are you ready to take your climbing to the next level?

The festival is suitable for anyone aged 13+ with a learning disability or autism who….

HAVE NEVER CLIMBED BEFORE BUT WANT TO GIVE IT A GO

HAVE DONE A LITTLE BIT OF CLIMBING BUT WANT TO PROGRESS FURTHER

HAVE DONE LOT’S OF CLIMBING AND WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS

No matter your ability, we’ll help you to take your climbing to the next level! 

“Just loving the support all the climbers gave each other at the Bendrigg Para climbing festival. A great diversity of Para climbers gathered for a training weekend culminating in a professionally route set competition to get a feel for how a competition works. It was a show case of amazing skills and stamina from those with Learning disabilities, autism , dyspraxia, visual and hearing impairments.”

“I’ve had the most amazing time of my life, did my first lead in 4 years with very little vision, I’m so proud of my progress”

As well as climbing workshops and training, there will also be social activities for a chance to relax and make new friends!

For the full weekend, an inclusive festival package is available for £150 per person, which includes a full weekend programme of Climbing Workshops & Training Sessions tailored to your ability, comfortable Accommodation & delicious food! *Please note this price is for bed and board and Bendrigg will work hard to find funding to cover the cost for all activities included in the weekend.

It is preferred that climbers attend the event with a “buddy” or carer but should you feel a buddy is not needed please call us.

We held the climbing festival for the first time in 2020 and again in 2022, the feedback has been incredible and we are so pleased to have the festival as a fixture in calendar to enable people to return each year and progress amongst old and new friends.

“We couldn’t fault any of it. It was the perfect mix of climbing, learning skills, about different climbing grips. Having pro-climbers talk and teach us has been amazing, they are so passionate and encouraging.”