A SOUTH Lakeland adventure training organisation has been given European money to develop a series of courses for people with learning disabilities.

Adventure Venture, a non-profit making organisation based in Kendal, received the funding from a successful bid to Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Cumbria via European Social Fund co-financing.

It is being used to give people with disabilities the same sort of opportunities for outdoor adventure that is available to everyone else.

Adventure Venture's aim is to provide adventurous development programmes - including rock climbing, canoeing and fell walking - for people with learning disabilities.

"We want to break down some of the barriers that exist within society for people with disabilities, and to enable them to participate fully in all kinds of opportunities that previously have not been open to them," said Malcolm O'Dea, the organisation's chief officer and founder.

"Instead of thinking about the things people can't do, we want to celebrate the things they can do - especially when there are things they never thought they would be able to achieve."

Mr O'Dea and the Adventure Venture's team of about a dozen highly-qualified instructors and support staff help people with learning disabilities tackle things many people would not think of doing - climbing a 4,000-metre mountain, going on a canoeing expedition or abseiling down a 30-metre viaduct, for example.

"We firmly believe that nobody should have restricted opportunities and that people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and sensory impairments etc should be able to enjoy challenging and exciting activities," he said. "We believe that everyone should have the same opportunities to travel and experience life to the full."

The European money is being used to fund a 15-week development course at the end of which participants will have a unique record of achievement - not just of the activities they have accomplished but also how they planned and prepared for them.

That record will be available in different formats such as digital photographs and other verification that does not have to be written down - and would show potential employers or training organisations just what they are capable of.

Anne Wilson, LSC Cumbria's senior contract manager responsible for the ESF projects, said: "Treating people equally, no matter if they have a disability, is one of our main objectives.

"Adventure Venture is an excellent example of how this can be achieved as it gives people of all abilities the chance to undertake really exciting and challenging activities. That is what equality of opportunity is all about."