Charlotte Hubbard is one of our valued trustees here at the Lake District Calvert Trust. An award-winning and passionate advocate for accessibility on public rights of way, Charlotte brings a unique set of skills to our governance. Her enthusiasm for improving access to the outdoors extends to supporting and volunteering at Calvert Stables too.
We asked Charlotte about what first attracted her to support our charity, what she’s learned and why she continues to work hard on our behalf.
My connection with Calvert goes right back to childhood. I learnt to swim in the pool, visiting every week with my family, and I also had riding lessons at Calvert Stables.
I later began volunteering at the stables as part of my Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. From there, I was offered a part-time job as a groom and loved working at the stables at weekends and during school and university holidays.
I enjoy understanding the day-to-day opportunities and challenges faced by the charity while also helping to shape the bigger picture.
Through the People and Operations Committee, the Stables Committee and Trustee Board meetings, I am always learning something new. I enjoy drawing on my different skills and experiences to help solve problems, offer suggestions and support good decision making.
Most of all, I love the people. Being a trustee has allowed me to get to know staff, volunteers and fellow trustees.
My knowledge and experience of the stables have helped the Board develop a deeper understanding of the challenges the team faces and the opportunities available. I have been able to bring that practical insight into discussions and help move plans for the future redevelopment of the stables forward.
The young people who have taken part in our Changing Lives Through Horses programme have particularly inspired me because of the determination they showed.
Many had struggled to engage with mainstream education, but when they were given the opportunity to learn differently in a supportive environment, they began to show just how capable they were. Through working with the horses, they developed confidence, responsibility, perseverance and communication skills, while also working towards structured awards and nationally recognised BHSQ qualifications.
One parent described the programme as life-changing, which really captured why these young people inspired me. They were not unable to learn; they simply needed an environment in which they could learn in their own way. Seeing their confidence grow and watching them recognise their own abilities was incredibly rewarding.
The sheer number of people, roles and different skills needed to keep Calvert running has surprised me most.
Guests see the instructors delivering activities such as sailing, climbing, riding and carriage driving, but there is so much more happening behind the scenes. Chefs prepare meals, the housekeeping team gets rooms ready, and the property and maintenance teams look after the buildings and grounds. At the stables, the team also has the daily responsibility of caring for our lovely horses.
There are also people managing bookings and reception, providing administrative and business support, organising events, marketing the charity and developing new opportunities. The income generation team works incredibly hard on grant and trust applications, community and corporate fundraising, and building relationships with supporters. Alongside them are the leadership team, volunteers and trustees, all contributing in different ways.
Every role is important, and it takes all of these people working together to make sure Calvert runs smoothly and every guest has the best possible experience.
Personally, I have made lifelong friendships with staff and volunteers at Calvert Stables. It has been a constant part of my life, from childhood through to adulthood.
Professionally, Calvert helped me build the skills and confidence to become a Riding Coach and Carriage Driving Coach and later an RDA Coach Developer. Becoming a trustee has also given me valuable experience at Board level that I would not necessarily have gained through my day job.
What makes Calvert so special is that you can see the difference it makes to people, often in a very short space of time.
At the stables, guests may arrive feeling nervous or unsure, sometimes too frightened even to touch a horse. With patience, encouragement and the right support, that same person can go on to take part in riding or carriage driving.
Watching their expression change as they overcome that fear and discover confidence they did not know they had is incredibly moving. Knowing that Calvert creates moments like this every day makes it a very special place to be part of and support.
You would be joining a dedicated and passionate team in a place where you can make a real difference and feel like a valued member of the Calvert community.
Calvert has given me opportunities to give something back, but it has also supported me throughout my own life – from childhood through some of the more challenging stages of adulthood. It has always been somewhere I can return to, and I still look forward to my day at the stables every week.
Rising to the challenge.
empowering.
that everyone can achieve more than they thought possible.
belonging.
