If your resolution for 2015 was to do something good for charity, or to spend your time doing something rewarding, why not volunteer and help on a charity holiday programme?
National deafblind charity Sense is looking for volunteers to join its annual holidays programme, which takes place in various locations across England and Wales – from the beautiful Dorset countryside to the stunning Yorkshire Dales.
Sense holidays give deafblind children and adults the chance to get away from it all, try something new and have a lot of fun on a week-long summer holiday in July or August. They also give a much-needed break to families who support a deafblind person.
Accommodation ranges from outdoor activity centres to cottages, farms and barns. Villas and barges are also available. Activities are fun and varied and can include kayaking, horse riding, camping or making sandcastles on the beach.
Sense holidays programme manager Helen Tonge said: “The ratio of holidaymaker to volunteer is at least one-to-one. This personalised approach to planning holidays means that we can support people to do what they want to do – however simple or complex this seems.
“Our volunteers are a vital part of what we do and without them we could not provide the holiday service which makes such a huge difference to the lives of deafblind people and their families. If you want to do something really rewarding this year, and want to spread some good while enjoying some time away, we would love to hear from you.”
Sense is particularly looking for male volunteers, people with experience of caring for others (could be their own children or a relative or in a paid capacity) or people with sign language skills, but anyone is welcome to sign up. Accommodation, food and activity costs are covered by Sense.
Sense has more than 40 years’ of experience arranging holidays and this year is offering a total of 22 holidays, in different locations.
If you would like to get involved, visit www.sense.org.uk/content/
Please endeavour and get your applications in before the end of May because volunteer places fill up very fast.
