Sense Holiday questions

Application process

Q: What types of holidays do you run?

A: All the information about holidays, their locations and how they run can be found on our website pages. You can also find information in our holidays brochure sent out to our mailing list.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email h[email protected].

Q: Who can go on a Sense Holiday?

A: The information about different Sense Holidays is on our website. It will tell you the ages they are targeted at and some more important information before registering your interest.

Q: When do I need to register my interest by?

A: This will depend on when holidays are released. Please review the holiday information sent out and, on the website, to see the dates you need to complete forms by.

Q: If I have been on a Sense Holiday before, can I still apply?

A: Of course, we welcome all applications.

Q: I have been on a Sense Holiday before; do I need to fill in another application?

A: We have streamlined our processes this year. We are requesting a registration of interest from each person to support with allocation. If you are allocated a place, we will be in touch about gathering any more information we need.

Q: What happens when I am allocated a place?

A: You will need to secure that place by paying a deposit. The holiday coordinator will be in touch to arrange a phone call or video call to collect the information we need for planning purposes.

Q: Am I guaranteed a place if I apply for a holiday?

A: Unfortunately, we only have a limited number of holidays this year and expect a large number of applications so we cannot guarantee you will receive a place. If you do not get a place on a holiday, we will offer you to be placed on our waiting list.

Q: What is a waiting list?

A: We will create a waiting list for each holiday of people who applied but we didn’t have space to accommodate. If a space should come up, then we will offer it to the waiting list.

Q: When will I find out if I have a holiday place?

A: After each application process we will review applications and allocate places. We will need some time to do this but will let you know as soon as we can.

Holiday costs

Q: How much do the holidays cost?

A: Each holiday page explains how much each holiday costs and what is included in the costs.

Q: When do I need to pay by?

A: Once we have allocated places, we will need a £200 deposit to secure your place. As the venues we are using are charities, they rely on payments upfront for running of the business.

We will be asking for the full price of the holiday to be paid one month before the holiday starts.

Q: What if I can’t afford or need help to pay for a holiday?

A: There are lots of providers that offer grants to support payments – have a look at our page about costs. Speak to your holiday coordinator who can support you with this process.

Q: If I need to cancel my place, will I get a refund?

A: We will always try to support refunds by filling places with our wait list, please speak to your holiday coordinator if this happens.

Arrivals and transport

Q: What time can I arrive?

A: Check in at the venue is not until 4pm. Before this time Sense staff and access to accommodation will not be available so please aim to arrive at this time. 

Q: How do I get to the holiday venue?

A: We are not able to offer pick up or drop offs. We can offer advice with using public transport, travel plans, timings, etc. However, it is the responsibility of the holidaymakers and their carers or families to make and finance these arrangements.

Q: Is there parking at the venue?

A: Yes, there is some parking at the venue.

Q: Will there be someone to greet me on my arrival?

A: Yes, your designated Holiday Leader for your holiday will be there to greet you on arrival.

Q: What should I do if I get lost on the way?

A: Don’t worry: our holiday coordinators will be available for guidance and support. They will share their work number with you before the holiday so you can save it in your phone in case of emergency.

Q: What happens on the day we leave?

A: Breakfast will be served at 8.30am, you will then need to check out by 9.30am. Sense staff will be available to help you move your bags from the room and say goodbye.

Venue and accommodation

Q: Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

A: Yes, the venue is accessible it has accessible bedrooms and bathrooms. The paths all have accessible routes, please note that the Lakes venue has some small hills around the venue.

Q: Does the venue have hoists?

A: There are some rooms that have celling hoists from bedrooms to bathrooms. There are also manual hoists available to use on every floor. There are hoists available for certain activities too.

Q: The venue has other facilities such as pools and sensory rooms, can I use them whenever I like?

A: You will need to speak to your holiday coordinator about this. Some areas are bookable so you need to book in advance, others will be assigned to the group for use throughout the holiday, such as quiet spaces to support regulation.

Q: Will I be sharing with anyone else?

A: This depends on the type of holiday you are on and who else is on holidays with you. Family Holidays will assign families to rooms only. For adult holidays it is likely you will need to share but we will discuss this with you in advance.

Q: Are there shared bathrooms?

A: Both venues have an ensuite wet room attached to each bedroom so you will only be sharing with those you are sharing a room with.

Q: Will I be able to move around the venue at night?

A: Both Calvert Lakes and Exmoor have in place a quiet wind down time, so after 10pm for your safety, and that of others, we ask that you be mindful of other guests and visitors to the centre.

There are no restrictions, but it would be appreciated if noise levels and disruptions to others are kept to a minimum. You would be most welcome to get yourself a coffee/tea or a drink throughout the night if needed.

Sense Leaders and Volunteers will not be available overnight as it is important that they are able to rest well for the next day. In the event of an emergency, the venue will have an on-call procedure that we will share with you closer to the holiday.

Q: Is there anyone on call during the night?

A: The venue provides on call support at night for emergencies. Sense volunteers and leaders do not offer support overnight. The venue will share how to access this before we arrive.

If you require support at night this will need to be managed by a carer or family member.

Q: Is there a fire evacuation procedure in place in the event of a fire?

A:  Most venues have their own fire evacuation procedures. We will follow the venues procedures; we will share these with you before the holiday and you will be reminded of them at the beginning of the holiday, most likely during your arrival.

Holiday arrangements

Q: Who will be on the holiday with me?

A: There will be other holidaymakers. The number depends on the location, holiday type and accommodation availability. There will also be a holiday coordinator, holiday leaders and some volunteers for support and guidance.

Each group on holiday will also have a highly trained instructor who is trained and managed by the venue. Details of your group instructor will be shared with you closer to the holiday date.

The venues may also have other groups attending at the same time, but they will not join our activities. We may see them during breakfast, lunch and dinners or in the evening.

Q: What do I need to bring with me?

A: There will be a list of things you will need to bring with you, this will be shared closer to the holiday time by your holiday coordinator.

Q: For adult holidays, will I have contact with home?

A: For adults who are not bringing a carer or family member we will encourage contact with home. This can be supported by Sense staff and volunteers.

Q: Will someone be able to help me with my personal care?

A: We cannot provide support with personal care. If you require support with this, you will need to bring a family member or carer who knows you well to provide you with your personal care needs.

Q: Will you be able to assist with giving me my medication?

A: All medication needs to be administered independently, if you require support with medication, you will be required to bring a carer or family member to help assist you with this.

Q: Are the instructors First Aid trained?

A: Yes, all instructors are First Aid trained.

Q: What are the arrangements if I get ill on holiday?

A: If you have come with family or a carer it will be the responsibility of this person to decide whether you should stay at the holiday venue. If you are there independently, the holiday coordinator will contact home and discuss individual cases.

Please be aware that we will ask for emergency transport arrangements during registration of interest to ensure that if any person did get ill there are appropriate arrangements in place.

Please note that holiday coordinators and staff are not able to administer any medication such as paracetamol, this must be taken independently or given by a carer or family member.

Q: What if I have medications that need stored in the fridge or need to be kept secure?

A: If you have medication that needs to be secured this is your responsibility. We will ask about medication during the application process and how you plan to store this. For items that need to a kept at a cool temperate the venue can supply a mini fridge.

Food and drink

Q: Will food be provided at the Venue?

A: Yes, all meals will be included in the price. The venue will also cater for any special dietary requirements you may have. They can also provide foods in different textures to support eating requirements.

Please speak to your holiday coordinator about this in advance.

Q: What times are breakfast, lunch and dinner?

A: These are set by the venue and will be shared with you nearer to the time.

Q: Can I bring my own food?

A: The venue will try to accommodate everyone’s dietary requirements and your holiday coordinator will work with you before the holiday to support this. If you would like to bring along additional snacks and comfort foods this is fine.

Q: I need support with eating, are you able to provide this? 

A: Similarly to personal care and medication, if you need specific support for eating, we will require you to bring a carer to support.

Activities and schedules

Q: How will I know what I am doing each day?

A: We are currently working with the venues to agree a schedule of activities. Once you have been placed on a holiday, we will be sharing information like the schedule closer to your holiday date.

Q: How many activities are there a day?

A: This will depend on the activities available, and the timings of these.

Q: What time do activities start and finish by?

A: This will be shared with you near the time of your holiday and is dependent on location and the schedule of the holiday venue.

Q: Will there be any activities off-site or days out included?

A: This will depend on the venue. The Exmoor venue do all activities on-site and do not need to travel off-site.  The Lakes venue has a mix of on-site and off-site activities. They have the travel arrangements and instructors to lead on this.

Q: Will I have to use my own transport or make my own way to activities that are off site?

A: For planned off-site activities you will not have to use your own transport as the venue will provide transport for activities they have planned. They have wheelchair accessible minibuses that will take you to your activity.

If you are on a family holiday and wish to do an alternative activity, as a family, outside the agreed schedule, please speak to your holiday coordinator about this in advance.

Q: What will happen if I do not want to participate in certain activities?

A: We believe this is your holiday and you should have options on what you want to do. We can provide the schedule of activities being run but if you decide you do not want to do any activity alternative options will be explored subject to venue limitations and staffing.

Q: Will there be nighttime entertainment?

A: Yes, there will be a nighttime activity each night. More will be discussed with you near the time of your holiday.

More questions?

Contact the holidays team:

Tel: 0300 330 9256
[email protected]