Rock Foundation is a charity that supports young people and adults with learning disabilities. Its Caistor site covers ten acres of land within the Lincolnshire Wolds. The Grade Two listed farmhouse and surrounding buildings have undergone extensive renovation and now provide safe, supported living for up to 12 residents with learning disabilities, alongside day care services attended by a wider group of students.

The site hosts thriving community gardens and tea rooms, creating a social environment that supports the wellbeing and independence of both residents and visiting students.

The Objective

In 2024, Rock Foundation secured £20,000 in National Lottery funding to enhance the Caistor site. Part of that investment was directed toward creating an outdoor gym area/

The organisation sought an accessible outdoor space where residents and students could engage in safe and therapeutic physical activity, build confidence and socialise. Any equipment needed to be easy to use, suitable for a range of abilities and appropriate for the site's community-focused character.

Equipment Selected

Rock Foundation selected the following equipment:

  • Air Skier - provides cardiovascular exercise while building strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.

  • Double Air Walker - one or two users at a time, allowing individuals to set their own pace. The equipment supports a range of movement, from wider strides that stretch the hip joints and improve flexibility, to shorter, faster movements for cardiovascular benefit.

  • Double Cross Country Skier - works all major muscle groups and builds stamina, balance and coordination. Can be used individually or by two people together.

  • Accessible Arm and Pedal Bike - ideal for wheelchair users, offers low-impact cardiovascular exercise and extends participation to those with limited mobility.

All equipment was fitted with grass mats, creating a weatherproof surface that remains usable year-round while allowing the grass beneath to grow.

Outcomes

The outdoor gym has added a dedicated physical activity space to the Caistor site, giving residents and visiting students an area designed with their needs in mind. The accessible equipment allows users to exercise at their own pace, supporting both physical health and broader wellbeing.

The installation sits alongside the existing community gardens and tea rooms, reinforcing the social character of the site. With equipment that accommodates varying levels of mobility and fitness, the gym area extends the opportunities available to all who use the Rock Foundation's services.