A Lake District charity offering accessible adventure to all, has unveiled extensive, new look accommodation for 2025. The Lake District Calvert Trust has spent the winter months overhauling 17 of their fully accessible rooms at their Calvert Lakes residential centre above Bassenthwaite ready for guests this Spring.
The project has taken nearly three months, involved 30 staff, volunteers and professionals led by Martin Mullin, the charity’s driven and resourceful Chair of Trustees. As well as generous individuals donating their time, the charity has welcomed helping hands from local businesses including Edwin Thompson LLP, Keswick accommodation providers and professional painters and decorators who selflessly answered a call out on social media. Calvert staff and instructors also pitched in while local holiday lettings company, Holiday Cottages and a long term individual supporter of Lake District Calvert Trust supported the project financially.
Each of the rooms now presents with a soft, muted colour palette plus new lighting, carpet and curtains while new artwork and photography grace the walls.
Head of Income Generation, Helen Archibald commented:
“This has been a huge team effort – and we are so grateful to everyone that has supported us with time, funding and expertise. As a year-round operation and one of only a handful of centres around the UK who can offer accessible breaks to people living with even the most profound disabilities, there are limited windows of opportunity to undertake this scale of refurbishment. The fact that individuals and businesses dropped their own tasks to come and support us is just so heartwarming.”
And early feedback is incredibly positive. Since reopening to guests in mid-January, staff have been overwhelmed at the response to the new-look rooms.
Commenting on their support for the Lake District Calvert Trust, Senior Regional Communities Manager, Stacey Turnbull said:
“holidaycottages.co.uk is very proud to support The Lake District Calvert Trust with funding to refurb the bedrooms in the Byre accommodation block. As a business we are committed to supporting causes close to the hearts of local communities, in particular those that create a lasting impact on the people that use their services, like The Lake District Calvert Trust. We want as many people to be able to experience the joy the Lake District brings, and supporting the Calvert Trust has helped us do just that.”
The team are now having a break from painting and sanding to resume normal activities – welcoming over 3000 people throughout 2025 to experience accessible adventure around the Lake District. But rest assured, phase two is already pencilled in the diary for Winter 2025/26!
The Lake District Calvert Trust is always eager to hear from people who would like to volunteer, in particular they are currently seeking regular support with gardening and Reception cover. For more information on to get involved and support the work of the Lake District Calvert Trust, visit www.calvertlakes.org.uk/support
