Testimonials
We receive lots of wonderful feedback from participants and our volunteers. Hopefully some of these words will inspire you to join us.
Rosemary (November 2023 at The Copper Beech Hotel)
"I know I attempted to thank each of my guides at the time, but it wasn’t possible to convey how much I appreciated your help and support. I never dreamed I would be able to walk over hills again, and to walk those Malverns was an absolute joy. A big thank you to such a wonderful group of people for giving your time, energy and patience, we could not do without you!"
Chris (November 2023 at The Copper Beech Hotel)
"Activities and arrangements were thoroughly thought through, enjoyable and well organized."
Debbie P (November 2023 at The Copper Beech Hotel)
"I have been involved with Sense Adventures for what must be about six or seven years by now. The First activity I attended was a yoga day and I’m not going to lie, I had a bad attack of pre-match nerves. I needn’t have worried however. I had the most fantastic day and went on to join the monthly walks and I’ve even attended three holidays. I’ve met so many wonderful people from so many diverse walks of life and become very fond of you all. Without you, these activities would not be possible. You all bring such joy and I feel so incredibly privileged to have met you all and I’ve had so many laughs. You are all invaluable to us and I would like to take this opportunity to send to you all my heart felt gratitude for the time you’ve devoted to Sense Adventures.""
Debbie C (November 2023 at The Copper Beech Hotel)
"It’s hard to pick just one best part of the holiday. I think the main I thing I got from the holiday was how enjoyable it was again to be able to go outdoors and be able to go walking in new exciting places. It was so freeing and relaxing. It has helped me gain confidence in doing things which are more challenging for VIs. The other parts I enjoyed were meeting a wonderful bunch of people and chatting to other VIs and sharing information and experiences and also to the lovely guides."
David from Kenilworth (November 2023)
"It's been my first year as part of the Sense Adventures community and such a nice surprise. You feel welcome, looked out for and feel you are among old friends right from the word go. Having experienced both a short break trip and a days walking in the Malverns just to walk in the English countryside is so special so thank you, as a walker for many years you have returned that opportunity to me, it means so much. I look forward to 2024 trains willing!"
Susan Hughes (Copper Beech, February 2023)
"When I first contacted you I said that Sense Adventures and the possibilities it brought coloured my whole life. This went through Christmas, and, has not diminished. Please know how much I do value your work, and that of your volunteers to make it all so enjoyable. Look forward to hearing from you with more news."
Brandon Hulcoop (Spring Walking Weekend at the Dell House, 2022)
"I enjoyed great company as we walked and realising that I'm capable of more than I know. I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when I realised I'd walked at least 8 miles by the end of the first day. The guides were wonderful company and I was able to talk to them about anything. They were very supportive and descriptive and very helpful in general. I learned a lot from them, ranging from History to food, and they helped challenge me and relax when needed."
Deb (Spring Walking Weekend at the Dell House, 2022)
"I haven’t had such fun in ages. It was so good to go on holiday oneself. It really boosted my confidence."
Ian Macnamara
"I am enjoying getting to know people in the community as there is always a different group of people on each walk, whether that is guides or participants. This has become an important activity for me in such a short time as I am a very active runner and walker and the challenge of the hills is now making me start rambling. Knowing I was going to start doing this regularly also convinced me to invest in proper walking boots.
The guides are my eyes but I’ve been able to support and encourage the less confident ones so it’s true teamwork between the guide and walker. This has now encouraged me to start walking with groups in my local area and I am now part of the ramblers and trying to break down barriers to show that with teamwork and willingness to work together blind people can enjoy walking just as much as anybody else. It’s an activity that anybody can do and my aim is to try and get more sited people to see the reward of helping and taking a walk with someone who can’t see as due to our other senses we see the world differently. I look forward to being a part of this community for a long time to come so I can build more positive relationships and make more friends."
Zoe Pugsley
"The location was beautiful, very little wifi, very peaceful and a total detox. We opened the door to the lodge and found an amazing space everything we needed and a gorgeous bathroom complete with lovely toiletries and towels. The massages were amazing."
Angela Wood
What did you like best about the holiday? "Clean organic eating, being surrounded by nature, the beauty products, the treatments, meeting new people, yoga in the sunshine with birdsong."
Paul
"I thought the volunteer guides were all really friendly and enthusiastic. It was great fun being guided by them and I think it was a great idea to swap us around."
Hazel
"The best part of the holiday was being out in the countryside with other people who were there to enjoy walking in good company. I liked the company and the relaxed atmosphere and I thought the guides were amazing and very friendly."
Sally
"I made contact with “Sense Adventures” during a search of the RNIB East Midlands Facebook Page, and following an exchange of details, Dee followed up swiftly with a friendly chat providing information about all the numerous activities that were offered. The activities ranged from talks to fitness; all extremely accessible through Zoom. I expressed an interest in most activities, and found the Cook along sessions, and Yoga extremely fun and informative.
The cook along sessions were really well organized. The cooking instructors were well informed and provided knowledge of the meals, and all in an informal setting. The recipes were sent out in plenty of time beforehand to allow me time to gather ingredients and prepare ready for the Zoom meeting with no pressure. The cooking instructors were really encouraging with recipes easy to follow and a very tasty meal was always made; a lovely social interactive event.
With regards the Yoga, I found this extremely helpful during the stressful lockdown period. The sessions were via Zoom, so again social interaction at all times with a trained instructor who took us through our sessions leaving us refreshed and de-stressed. All sessions are very well coordinated by Dee, who introduces everyone and is always on the end of the phone if required. I have no sight, and have found that all sessions have been extremely easy to follow and every step has been clearly explained. I have found Sense Adventures to be a great social and inspirational group; thank you Dee."
Deb
"I discovered Sense Adventures around three years ago and haven’t looked back. The monthly walks on the Malvern Hills are incredibly well-organised and I felt very comfortable and safe. The volunteers and visually impaired walkers are an amazing and fascinating group of people. There’s always plenty of fun and laughter.
Of course, Covid has put paid to the walks for the time being, but that has only served to widen my horizons. I love the creative writing workshops on Zoom and I’ve met even more amazing people. Sense Adventures has certainly opened up a whole new world of adventure for me and I hope it continues."
Brian and Dawn
"We loved the peace and tranquillity at Clover Mill. We enjoyed the walks, the yoga and Julie's amazing food."
V
"Overall the experience was 100% positive. It was a great idea to have a yoga session before the walks as it really relaxed the muscles, so in spite of a few hours yomping up and down hills, there was no stiffness or discomfort in following days.
The scenery, trees and flowers all gave us plenty of excuses to pause without looking cowardly, and the whole experience was seamlessly organised though it didn't feel regimented."
Volunteering as a guide with Sense Adventures
Chris
"I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing the sights and sounds of the glorious Malvern Hills with visually impaired friends. I only hope they have enjoyed our time together as much as I have."
Julie Dent
"My first time as a sighted guide was on a walking holiday, where, naively, I thought the walks would be easy and slow paced if we were with visually impaired walkers - how wrong was I?! They set off at a brisk, excited pace - completely putting their safety in our hands, trusting us to steer them the safest way - quite unbelievable to me.
Looking back it was quite a responsibility but at the time it was just like walking with a friend, chatting to get to know each other and describing the view if appropriate. It was a great holiday with lots of laughs and I made new friends that I still keep in touch with. I was happy going on my own as I soon felt part of the group."