Volunteer on a Sense Holiday
What are Sense Holidays?
Sense Holidays are a chance for people who have complex disabilities or who are deafblind to join action-packed holidays around the UK. We organise inclusive breaks around the needs of our holidaymakers – their communication style, interests and age. That’s everything from outdoor adventures to chilling in the sensory room.
Our holidays are made possible by volunteers. Join our team to make a difference and form friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Want to get involved?
This year, we’ve fantastic holidays planned in Blackpool, New Forest, Skipton, Birmingham and Gloucestershire between July and August.
- Check our latest volunteering opportunities
- Join our Talent Bank so we know all about you
- Email [email protected] to chat with our team
Why volunteer on a Sense Holiday?
Not only will you be making a huge difference to our holidaymakers and their families, but you’ll have a fantastic time too. Our volunteers have an unforgettable and enjoyable experience, and more than half of our volunteers come back year after year to see us again.
Volunteering on Sense Holidays is really rewarding. I’ve forged such strong bonds with the holidaymakers and there are so many opportunities to try things that I would never do on my own.
Jenny, seven-time holiday volunteer
What will you do on a Sense Holiday?
Not only will you be making a huge difference to our holidaymakers and their families, but you’ll have a fantastic time too. Our volunteers have an unforgettable and enjoyable experience, and more than half of our volunteers come back year after year to see us again.
You’ll support holidaymakers to access group activities and forge new friendships. During the week, you’ll also learn how to support with their communication and personal care too.
As the week unfolds, these skills and your relationships with the holidaymakers will grow stronger. Whether you’re canoeing, swimming or enjoying a meal out, you’re going to have a blast!
To keep everything running smoothly, everyone pitches in to help with cooking, cleaning, driving and other aspects of running a safe group holiday.
We run a range of different holidays to try and make sure there’s something for everyone! Have a read through the categories below and think about which of them sounds like your kind of holiday. We do our best to match people with the placement that’s right for them.
- Active and busy
These holidays often mean you’ll be trying out lots of activities in one day. You might find yourself out horse riding, rock climbing and llama trekking, or spending a full day at a theme park. - Sensory and slow paced
On these holidays, you might have one or two activities a day, like swimming or messy play. But there’ll also be plenty of downtime for gentle, sensory activities or just relaxing. - Cultured and communicative
For social groups who want to get out there and engage with the world around them, we offer a more cultural holiday. Here, you’ll get to enjoy bespoke visits to museums and popular tourist attractions, such as Madame Tussauds.
Why are Sense Holidays important?
At Sense, we believe that no one should be left out of life – that means ensuring everyone gets a chance to do things that make our lives richer. Holidays are a big part of that!
We want to give our people of all ages, who have complex disabilities or who are deafblind, experiences to remember. These breaks are a way for our holidaymakers to have time away from their usual routines, so they can grow in confidence and find new joys.
Sense Holidays rely on brilliant volunteers, like you, to help make these weeks as special as possible.
By volunteering on a Sense Holiday, you’ll also be giving families and carers a break from supporting their loved ones for a week, confident in the knowledge that they’re safe, having fun and all their personal and social needs are met.
What do our volunteers say?
Our volunteers always have an incredible time. They learn new skills, have fun and make the most of their summer.
For some of our volunteers, it even helps them discover their passion and contributes to their career direction.
“After a couple of days in a windswept farmhouse in Wales, my feelings of trepidation turned into enjoyment, satisfaction and pride. My Sense journey and experiences have seen me grow as a person and I have met some genuinely inspiring and beautiful people.”
Alick, a Sense Holiday volunteer
Learn more about how you can make a difference by volunteering with Sense.
Want to learn more about volunteering with Sense? Contact our team at [email protected] or call 0121 312 3120.