Calvert Trust 2022

The Rotary Club of Bedford Castle sponsor a local physically or mentally challenged young adult to enjoy a weeklong residential course at the Keswick Centre for the last week in April each year. The week promotes independence in a safe environment, and everyone is encouraged to do as much as they can and, frequently, more than they themselves expect. The ethos is to teach participants what they can do and not what they can't do.

This year the Rotary Club of Bedford Castle were able to sponsor John Shine. After completing a degree in sociology John worked as  an assistant psychologist at Holloway Prison. He went on to join the Prisons Inspectorate for the Home Office and his final job was as a consultant psychologist at Saint Andrews Hospital in Northampton.  It was here that John suffered a significant bleed in the brain. He had not been expected to live but luckily, he pulled through and with help of rehabilitation unit Headway he reached a level of ability and independence completely unexpected by the medical profession.

My name is Eileen and I'm John Shine's Partner and Carer.

I'm writing on John's behalf to say how very much he enjoyed his adventure holiday in the Lake District and to say a huge thank you for arranging it. It was a marvellous jesture from the Rotary Club and when John found out he had been selected for the trip, he was bowled over by it.

John is a very focused, determined and optomistic perosnality and strives always to improve himself. He tells me that some of the things he tried on the trip, he never thought he would be able to manage. It's been a hugh boost to his confidence and he is very proud to show everyone his photo album.

Thanks once again to The Rotary Club and everyone involved in making this such a wonderful opportunity for John and other people like himself. 

Best Wishes

Eileen Shine