Calvert Trust Exmoor

Who we are

“It put a real lump in my throat to have my disabled son sign to me that he has had a ‘the weekend from heaven’... not much I can add to that! Our other two boys really got to engage... both able-bodied, one even abseiled in a wheelchair to see what it was like for his brother!” – the Carroll family.

Calvert Trust Exmoor’s mission statement is to provide exciting outdoor adventure for people with disabilities through a wide variety of activities on land, water and even air.

Isolation, depression, discrimination and exclusion affect thousands of people with disabilities. In operation since 1996, Calvert Trust Exmoor enables individuals with physical, sensory, learning and behavioural disabilities to partake in a wide range of challenging outdoor activities that develop new skills, build self-confidence, increase independence and start new friendships. This has life-changing outcomes by broadening the scope of what disabled people can achieve and experience, enhancing their physical and mental wellbeing, and boosting their confidence to engage with the mainstream world.

We improve family unity, increase the independence of disabled people and give them the memories of having overcome challenges they never thought possible – which they then take away with them to help combat the obstacles of their daily lives.

Highly specialised service

Each year, we have the privilege of helping some 7,000 people – both residential guests and day visitors from age 3 to 103 – with the majority of guests coming from across the South, Midlands, East Anglia and Wales. We work closely with many organisations such as Mencap, Not Forgotten, Barnados, Sense and Scope to reach those who would benefit most.

Guests often come with their families, attracted by the chance of sharing new experiences together; others come with schools or as individuals. Of our visitors in a typical year, half are able-bodied family members, group leaders or carers accompanying disabled visitors. Among our disabled visitors, 48% come to us as part of group; 27% school groups, 12% families, 13% as assisted individuals.

We have a full range of specialised residential facilities: 60 beds in 31 rooms managed by our dedicated and caring staff supported by a team of willing volunteers. All of our bedrooms and bathrooms are fully accessible; many of our rooms feature H-track ceiling hoists, while mobile hoists are available for other rooms.

In many cases Calvert Trust Exmoor is the only place guests with high needs can come to because our facilities are like none other.

Award winning work

Calvert Trust Exmoor is the only facility in the country to hold a five-star rating from Visit England for Activity Accommodation. We have also won Gold at both the South West England Tourism Excellence Awards and the Visit Devon Tourism Awards. The centre truly is unique in what it offers to people with disabilities, especially those with high needs.

“Participants leave Calvert Trust Exmoor with a renewed confidence and vigour for life. This is an enterprise that deserves all the help it can get.” – Frank Gardner OBE, BBC Security Correspondent.

"Children with a disability get labelled: the majority of people see the disability first. At Calvert Trust Exmoor, it’s different; they look at the person first, and they adapt to meet that person’s needs.” – Lynn Green, mum to 13-year-old Daisy who has Down’s syndrome.

“Where Calvert Trust Exmoor comes into its own is that it’s truly accessible to everyone, meaning it is possible for entire families to do everything together. I cannot recommend Calvert Trust Exmoor highly enough. If you are disabled or know someone who is, you really should experience it yourself.” – Geoff Holt, Disability Sports Ambassador (first solo cross-Atlantic quadriplegic sailor).