North Devon activity centre in urgent appeal to avoid closure

An accessible activity centre in North Devon, is facing imminent closure due to a severe financial crisis.

Calvert Exmoor, which provides activity holidays for individuals with physical, learning, behavioural, sensory, and multiple complex disabilities, must raise £500,000 by August 31 to avoid shutting down.

It was announced on August 6 to staff that redundancies will need to be made and the centre may close. 

The fundraising campaign was started on August 8. 

The centre attributes its financial difficulties to several factors. 

A spokesperson noted that the South West tourism sector has been particularly hard-hit this year by adverse weather conditions and increased competition from overseas travel. Additionally, inflation has caused the costs of essential operations, including food, fuel, maintenance, and wages, to rise sharply.

In 2023 the centre welcomed 2,400 residential guests and is currently scheduled to welcome a similar number of guests again this year. However, the centre reports that years of inflation have pushed costs up whilst a decrease in tourists to the South West has kept the number of guests lower than pre-Covid pandemic levels.

The Crowdfunder to reach £500,000 raised £15,000 in under 24 hours. 

The pledges will be returned to donors if the campaign is not successful, but Calvert Exmoor wishes to use the funds to stay operational into 2025, keep the horses safe on-site, and invest in new bunkhouse accommodation for a more sustainable future.

They said: “The costs of running our centre have risen sharply due to inflation. Essentials like food, fuel, maintenance, and wages have all become more expensive, putting a strain on our finances.

“Our situation is dire. More importantly, our guests will lose a vital offering. Calvert is much more than a mere break from routine. Our centre is a sanctuary of warmth and inclusion in a world where many feel left out due to dwindling services and opportunities.”

In response to the crisis, Calvert Exmoor has launched a Crowdfunder campaign, which has so far raised more than £31,000.

However, this is still far short of the £500,000 needed to secure the centre’s future through the winter months. 

Centre Director, Jennifer Young, said: “To put it bluntly, we’re running out of cash to see us through the coming quieter season. We’ve successfully raised restricted funds over the past 18 months which has enabled us to invest significantly in improving the centre and the quality of our offer.

“We want to spend to improve and if we can raise the cash and invest in new accommodation to diversify our target markets, we will survive long into the future. Yet, with rising costs, impacted bookings and the current cost of living crisis, we have hit the point where we must decide; close the centre or find a way to introduce an additional large amount of money to bridge the winter season and fund key goals. We exhausted all other grant and loan avenues, so have decided to go for crowd fundraising and I truly hope we achieve it, for the sake of our guests both current and well into the future.”

The centre offers breaks for schools, families and groups with the centre saying “Every break, every activity, every moment, is tailored to every person every time.”

The centre has a strong number of bookings for 2025, but without immediate financial support, it will be unable to fulfill them.

One of the primary concerns if the centre closes is the fate of its 14 horses, which are integral to its activities. 

“With 14 horses in our care, one of our top priorities is ensuring that these cherished animals can stay on site and remain cared for by our dedicated and passionate equestrian team of staff, volunteers and community members.  If Calvert Exmoor closes, our horses will be considered assets and no longer remain in our care, making their future uncertain.”

The centre also plans to explore new opportunities by investing in bunkhouse accommodation, which aims to tap into new markets and create a more sustainable future.

In the past 18 months, Calvert Exmoor has made significant strides, including launching a new website, introducing activities like rafting and outdoor crate-stacking, and upgrading its facilities with new accessibility equipment and a community sensory room. 

Mark Tyas, who works in maintenance at Calvert Exmoor, emphasised the impact of the potential closure on both the staff and the centre’s operations. 

He said: “We are trying to raise enough money to keep the centre open. If we don’t succeed, 51 staff members will be made redundant and the centre will close.”

Despite these advancements, the centre now faces an urgent need for emergency funding to carry it through the winter and ensure it can continue serving its community.

Their crowdfunding campaign can be found here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/exmoor-calvert-trust/