Get Involved > Campaigns > Camp Guideposts

Why we’re campaigning for accessible camping

We know that people with learning disabilities and long-term mental health difficulties are more likely to struggle to afford a holiday, especially at a place that is adapted for their needs. This has become an even bigger problem since the start of the cost of living crisis.

Campsite holidays are the most affordable way to go on holiday in the UK. But there are limited options when it comes to accessibility and suitable facilities. We aim to change that with the development of our own Camp Guideposts – a campsite built for people with disabilities and additional needs.

Camp Guideposts will provide holidays of up to a week in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside. The campsite will be a place to relax, connect with the outdoors, make friends, and try new things. The area will be fully accessible with a range of comfortable bell tents to stay in, as well as a central activity tent, barbecue area and chill-out sensory zone.

Progress so far

Guideposts has already leased the land where the campsite will sit – an area called Paradise Fields just outside Witney, Oxfordshire.

This is the site of our Dig N Grow outdoor wellbeing project and is fully equipped with facilities for a range of outdoor activities, including a huge community garden and allotments, woodworking facilities, and essential amenities such as shower and toilet facilities.

Camp Guideposts 2021

In July 2021 we held our first overnight camping session at Paradise Fields, where our members learned how to set up a tent, start a fire, and learned basic survival skills. For many of our members attending, this was the first time they had ever had the opportunity to go camping!

From this trial run we learned a huge amount about the format that sessions should take, the support that our members with disabilities will need, and the activities that we should offer in the future.

Next steps

For our charity’s 50th anniversary, we’re aiming to raise £50,000 to kick start the campsite project and run our first holidays through the summer of 2023. Funds will go towards:

• buying a set of high-quality bell tents and kitting them out with furniture, bedding, lighting and heating
• building key campsite facilities such as a communal eating area and chill-out zone
• buying a mobility vehicle to take members out on excursions

Any extra money raised will go towards scaling up our campsite to enable more people to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors. We’ll also be able to fund new facilities to increase the range of activities on offer and open up new opportunities to the people we support.

Join the campaign today

If you believe that camping should be accessible to all, regardless of disability, you can join our campaign to make it happen:

Donate

Help us reach our £50,000 goal by donating today! Here’s how your contribution could help:

£10 can buy a handheld torch

£40 can buy a camp cooking set

£50 can buy comfortable bedding for one person

£200 can buy a folding bed with a mattress

£1000 can buy a luxury bell tent for four people

Share our progress!

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