Inclusivity and Equity

Working through the medium of outdoor pursuits, Red Ridge has been one of the country's leading centres offering specialist and integrated courses to those with learning disabilities since 1978. The courses and holidays are designed to encourage participation in adventure activities and so widen the breadth of experience and the sense of achievement for all. Throughout all our courses we encourage individuals to raise their levels of expectation, supporting and helping them to achieve their full potential, whilst giving top priority to safety and enjoyment at all times. Outdoor pursuits are used as a medium to develop self confidence within all our clients. Continuous evaluation of course content and individual abilities ensures that all of our clients 'succeed'.It has always been the policy of the Red Ridge Centre to be as inclusive as possible. Within any main stream school it is inevitable that there will be young people with learning or physical disabilities and young people who are otherwise disadvantaged in a wide variety of ways. We are a founder member of 'Adventure for All', a group of outdoor education centres committed to providing outdoor experiences to the widest possible range of abilities, particularly those with learning or physical disabilities.

Accessible buildings
Our buildings are appropriately ramped and wheel chair access to the dining room, games room, disabled bathroom and bedrooms is easy. We do not have lift access to the first floor so wheelchair users only sleep in downstairs accommodation. Hoists and specialist equipment such as shower chairs are available on request. Changing facilities and bath are available in the bathroom provided for the disabled.

Accessible and appropriate activities
Most activities are accessible or adaptable to most of our visitors and individual needs are discussed in advance.

Canadian Canoeing
The River Severn or the Montgomeryshire Canal, both running close to Welshpool, offer a beautiful and appropriate environment for Canadian Canoeing. For the younger, the less confident, or the less able of our clients the four man open canoes can be rafted in pairs to provide total security and stability, enabling instructors to focus their attention on individuals, without affecting the continuity and enjoyment of the activity by the rest of the group. Most people, regardless of disability, are able to enjoy a a day of canadian canoeing.

Kayaking
Kayaking is accessible to most on our small shallow lake at Red Ridge. Most people would be able to kayak in an open decked Rob Roy kayak, or in a two man kayak. Those unable to leave their wheelchair can have their wheelchair clamped onto a board which is safely fixed to two rafted canoes. Fellow guests are then able to paddle the wheelchair user around the lake.

Hillwalking
Hill walking really is available to everyone. For those unable to use their legs we have a specially constructed trailer which is towed by a 4 wheeldrive ATV. Two wheelchairs can be clamped into the trailer and there is room for others to sit. The trailer often enables the weaker walkers to reach the top of the hill and then possibly walk with the others for a short time before returning in the trailer to the centre. The trailer and ATV can accompany and assist any group in which there might be people with walking difficulties. The trailer is often used to assist wheelchair users or those with walking difficulties in getting to our small lake.

Rock Climbing and Abseiling
These two allied sports are extremely popular and offer a safe exciting challenge right across the ability and age range. The rock climbing and abseiling area is ideal for all abilities and ages and offers basic rock scrambling as well as challenging climbs and abseils for the more able. We have several abseils of over 40 metres for the more daring.

Caving
We have introduced many thousands of young people with both learning and physical disabilities to the underground environment using our single level caving area at Llanymynech. The experience odes require some walking and crawling ability and is therefore not accessible to all. Groups of people unable to access the cave can experience being in the dark and underground in the canal tunnel at Chirk. Transport is a requirement for this.

Zip wire
The zip wire is accessible to all. This exciting activity is available to the complete ability range, including people in wheelchairs. The overhead cable is 80 metres long with a vertical drop of 12 metres. Those with physical disabilities, including wheelchair users, or those lacking in the confidence required to go from the top are able to start at the bottom, using a special harness. Those unable to climb the tower wear an appropriate harness and can be winched up onto the zip wire from the bottom. Some may not want to use the whole length of the zip wire and are able to enjoy a ride of whatever length and gradient they wish.

Single Rope Technique
This activity in which the object is to get from ground level up to a height of about 20ft using various pulleys and one way rope ascenders is a very popular and strenuous activity. A fully enveloping harness and the use ofadditional pulleys and aids makes this activity accessible to all.

The Wine rack
This 24ft high climbing frame is unique to Red Ridge, having been designed by Red Ridge staff specifically for Red Ridge guests. Many guests, normally confined to wheelchairs, are able to climb to the very top, with assistance. Poles are pushed into place as they climb, giving support whereever it is required. This extremely versatile and adaptable climbing frame is used by all ages and abilities as part of the orientation exercise prior to climbing real rock faces.

Small Ropes Course
The small ropes course has proved to be an invaluable part of our confidence building programme. Persons unstable on their feet, and normally confined to wheelchairs, put many of us to shame as they swing around on the walk ways and rope bridges, making use of the rope handrails.

Archery
Archery can be difficult to some who do not have full use of both hands. A bow can be fixed to a stand making it easier to use with limited "pulling" ability. For those requiring the "sound" of success ballons are pinned to the target.

Orienteering
We have a small orienteering course within the centre grounds, much of which is accessible to a wheelchair user, although not all. We can adapt the course to suit differing individual needs on the day. Early in 2007 we introduced the very new and exciting sport of "Geocaching". Our guests are taught the rudiments of grid references or longitude and latitude and then, in working in small groups, input this information into GPS units and then find their way to their objective using the information broadcast by the overhead satellites. A GPS unit is an electronic device that can determine where you are, within a few metres, anywhere on earth.

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