Donate now

Our history

John and Mary Kinross start the Mary Kinross Charitable Trust (MKCT) to support ‘whole projects’ and not just ‘write cheques’.

1957

The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust forms

The MKCT were interested in the work being done by ‘Six Circle Camps’ in Scotland who were taking groups of trainees from ‘borstal’ to Iona, to camp with and assist groups of people with disabilities. With the intention of progressing these ideas; the MKCT purchased Bendrigg Lodge, an old hunting lodge in rural Cumbria, in 1976.

1976

Bendrigg Lodge purchased

The Voluntary Services Unit (VSU) of the Home Office initially committed to fund running costs for three years, while the MKCT would provide capital to purchase and adapt the building. Full course fees for disabled and disadvantaged people would be prohibitive, making ongoing fundraising essential.

1977

Inital funding

Much work was required to turn the Lodge into a suitable place for residential courses and initially there was not even a mains water supply. The building was ready to take residential courses in the summer of 1977, with beds for 60 people, and the ‘Northern Association for Community Care’ (NACC) was formed.

1977

First group visit

To improve accommodation facilities and better cater for people with physical disabilities, a ground floor extension was completed in 1982. Thanks to the forethought of Trustees the foundations were made strong enough and the roof left flat to allow for a second storey to be added in time if required.

1982

First lodge extension

The Oakwood Annexe was completed in 1985 and allowed groups to benefit from a completely self-contained accommodation unit with its own toilets and showers, kitchen, lounge and dining area.

1985

Oakwood annexe

The building of a new resource centre to store specialist equipment in conjunction with an accessible outdoor climbing wall provided Bendrigg with fantastic new activity facilities.

1987

Resourcing centre and climbing wall

After nine years the VSU funding was phased out and in 1988, the NACC changed its name to the Bendrigg Trust.

1988

Charity renamed Bendrigg Trust

The inaugral Bendrigg 10K road race attracted 122 entries in its first year and was won by Sunderland Harrier, John Wheeler in 32 minutes and 50 seconds. The 10K race was a prominent part of the Bendrigg fundraising calendar for over 25 years and included "Heartbreak Hill" - the final slog up a steep incline just before the finish.

1989

Inaugural 10k race

In 1990 the MKCT started an endowment fund to help meet the annual operating deficit. This is a separate registered charity called the Bendrigg Support Trust. The MKCT continues to take a detailed interest in the work of the Bendrigg Trust with John and Mary’s daughter often visiting Bendrigg.

1990

Bendrigg Support Trust

The dining room was extended in the early 1990’s to provide more access and room for disabled users.

1993

Dining room extension

The second major Lodge extension spanned four years in phases, involving external work on paths, ramps, and balconies, alongside internal refurbishment to enlarge bedrooms. In 1998, a second floor was added to the original extension, providing more accessible bedrooms and a lift.

1996-2000

Second lodge extension

Fell End Bunkhouse was purchased to host families, groups, and individuals exploring the Yorkshire Dales. In 2006, the adjacent ‘Greenslack’ building was leased and converted to add a wheelchair-accessible shower room and bedroom.

2000

Fell End Bunkhouse

Bendrigg cannot function without the dedicated support of our volunteers and in 2001 we converted extensive loft space to create accommodation for volunteers. With 4 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchenette and lounge our volunteer block can cater for up to 6 people at a time.

2001

Loft space becomes new volunteer accommodation

With modern meeting facilities, a sensory room, sports hall, state-of-the-art climbing wall and indoor cave; the Kinross Building allows groups the versatility to continue trying new activities even in bad weather.

2007

Kinross building built

Acorn House was built to replace the Oakwood Annexe (which was not wheelchair accessible). On opening, the state-of-the-art accessible facilities in Acorn led to a 144% increase in the number of wheelchair users visiting Bendrigg.

2017

Acorn House

Bendrigg shut in March 2020 for 14 months. Throughout this period, Bendrigg adapted to offer private outdoor space to hundreds of disabled people and their families – enabling them to continue to enjoy the outdoors in a safe way throughout the lockdowns and restrictions.

2020

Coronavirus pandemic

Bendrigg re-opened its doors 14 months after the first UK lockdown. Despite ongoing restrictions and safety measures, visitors returned to Bendrigg eager to reconnect with the outdoors once more.

2021

A new normal

We no longer want to hear ‘Bendrigg is the only place that will have me’ and so launched our ‘Beyond Bendrigg’ training and consultancy scheme in late 2023. This project seeks to pass on our skills, knowledge and expertise and therefore give people with disabilities more opportunities for adventure beyond our walls.

2023

Beyond Bendrigg

Our vision is to harness adventure to create lasting change and transform communities. Our new five-year strategic plan (2024–2029) focuses on five key themes: expanding reach and impact, progressing towards net zero, strengthening finances, enhancing facilities and services, and supporting people’s development.

Looking To

The future

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm

Sat and Sun closed

Registered Charity Number

508450

Important Links
Contact

Bendrigg Trust

Bendrigg Lodge
Old Hutton
Kendal
Cumbria, LA8 0NR

what3words
teaching.emeralds.hiking

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin Youtube

Designed By: We Are Digital, Kendal