The National Lottery Heritage Fund backs Over The Wall Camp’s plans for the historic site in Derbyshire with grant of over £128k
Over The Wall Camp has received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save a central part of Ockbrook’s Moravian Settlement. Generous funding of £128,528.00 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to bring the site back into use, while preserving and celebrating its fascinating heritage.
The charity’s transformational camps help families rediscover the magic of childhood in a safe and supportive environment. A team of doctors, nurses and paramedics work alongside Over The Wall Camp’s staff team to ensure everyone’s medical needs are cared for – this means families can worry less, and adventure more! During their weekend or week-long stay, ‘campers’ can enjoy a range of inclusive activities; from arts and crafts, drama, board games, and music, to abseiling, climbing, zipwire and kayaking. Each camp is designed to increase children’s confidence, independence, self-esteem, and help them to connect with others who understand their challenges.
Moving to Ockbrook, Derby
For the last 25 years, Over The Wall Camp has hired multiple venues across the country for its camps. But this model has its limitations. In recent years, the charity has been looking for its own permanent base to allow greater flexibility, increased capacity, and greater control over its programming, among other benefits. Last year, they were thrilled to sign a long-term lease on the former Ockbrook school, which sits in the picturesque Moravian Settlement.
A rich history site
Ockbrook’s Moravian Settlement is part of an international network of planned ideal settlements. Founded in 1750, it is considered rare, and of high historical value, as one of only three such settlements nationally. All within a conservation area, The Settlement includes attractive red-brick Georgian buildings, tree lined paths, a church, lecture hall and private residences. But the focus of the Heritage Fund backed project is the former school building. Sadly, after the school closed in 2021, the 200-year-old, Grade II listed building was left disused and began to fall into a state of disrepair.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As Over The Wall Camp brings the site back to life and works towards children arriving for transformational experiences, they are intent on preserving the heritage of the buildings and surrounding area. The project will begin with a Heritage Assessment and Options Appraisal to determine the future use and preservation of the most historically significant aspects of the site.
As part of the project, the Heritage Fund will also finance three new roles at the charity: a Community Engagement Officer, a Heritage Officer and an Evaluation Consultant. These roles will enable the charity to engage with the community, delve into the history of the site, and collate histories, photographs and memories linked to Ockbrook School.
This project will run for fourteen months, with the short-term focus on saving heritage and the longer-term aspiration of increasing access and inclusion for the local community. To follow the progress of the project, you can become a Friend of Over The Wall and sign up to receive updates at www.otw.org.uk/ockbrook
