A rehabilitation centre in Keswick has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Calvert Reconnections, the UK’s first acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation centre combining traditional clinical therapies with physical activity in the outdoors, has been shortlisted for Best Initiative in Care at the Caring UK Awards, which recognise excellence and achievement within the care sector across the UK.

Commenting on the news, Claire Appleton, Head of Service at Calvert Reconnections said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award. Since opening our doors in June 2021, our team has delivered a totally new, ground-breaking approach to brain injury rehabilitation, creating real pathways back to everyday life.

“The focus on outdoor activities as part of our therapeutic model makes Calvert Reconnections completely unique in the UK. We are hugely excited about the difference we are making to people’s lives.”

An awards spokesperson said: “Never has there been a more appropriate time to recognise the amazing and selfless contribution that our carers make and how they have given so much to protect and care for their residents in the face of unprecedented challenges.”

The winner of the award will be revealed at a ceremony at The Athena in Leicester in December when the industry will gather to salute all that is great about the caring sector and recognise the amazing contribution it makes particularly during the pandemic.

Despite only being in existence for less than half a year, Calvert Reconnections has had interest from brain injury survivors around the world. Appleton continued: “Serving the local community is also key to our strategy and our senior team has long standing links with local hospitals, case managers, solicitors, charities and experts. We are committed to making our services widely available to the local community.

For example, we have our own stables which are widely used by the local community. Our team delivers equine therapy daily, providing opportunities to care for the horses, to ride or to participate in carriage driving.

We will also soon be launching our new aquatic therapy programme, which will be made available to local community.”

The clinic has also recently announced its winter activity programme which includes walking and star gazing, bushcraft sessions, environmental art, photography projects, rock climbing, canoeing, basketball, curling, badminton, sledging, cycling, ghyll scrambling and orienteering.

The centre currently has residential places available for new participants. For further information please go to www.calvertreconnections.org.uk.