We run holidays throughout the year across the UK and around the globe. We work hard to offer a wide range of options, aiming to meet the varied tastes of our clients: relaxing by the pool or on the beach, evening entertainment, local culture, outdoor adventure, theatre outings, sight-seeing and all manner of excursions. We have ridden camels, swum with dolphins, surfed the waves and slept under the stars on a sailboat deck. Once on holiday, our clients are involved in deciding what they would like to do and experience, and we aim to send enough supporters so that clients can head off to different places in small groups if they choose to.
Our supporters are available to our holidaymakers at all times and are very experienced in supporting people with learning disabilities both at home and overseas. Our holiday prices are calculated based on providing support for people who have a mild learning disability and perhaps require a little extra supervision and direction in unfamiliar settings, such as managing other currencies, ordering food from menus or remembering to take their medication in a new environment and routine. For those who require wheelchair support and/or need extra support in other areas, there will be an additional charge based on individual requirements. Sometimes, this might involve sending additional staff for 1:1 support. The usual ratio sees two supporters for five to seven clients. For more information on our charges, click here.
The holiday price is inclusive of most elements: basic support, meeting at the airport or hotel, medication management, flights, transfers, holding passports, organising luggage plus bed and breakfast accommodation with an evening meal and packed lunch with mealtime drinks. Holidays involve excursions on most days and transport and admission are also included. When staying in a hotel, breakfast and dinner are taken at the hotel. When staying in a cottage, villa or similar, meals are usually home-cooked with a few taken when out. Additional drinks in cafes and bars are at the client’s expense, as are souvenirs, gifts, postcards and other personal items.
On occasion, there may be the opportunity to opt for an activity or experience not included in the price of the holiday, such as a (memorable) early morning hot air balloon flight over the Masai Mara. If this is the case, clients pay with their own money, and we will usually mention this optional extra in the holiday description.
We generally need at least four clients to make a holiday viable, although we can make exceptions on occasion. As soon as we have received four deposits for a holiday, we will proceed with making the necessary arrangements. We cannot finalise a holiday until all deposits have been received. Very rarely, we have to cancel a holiday. If this happens and a deposit/balance has been paid, and if we cannot provide a suitable alternative, we will issue a refund.
It is important to note that if for any reason a client is unable to attend a holiday once that holiday has been finalised, the deposit/payment is non-refundable.
We’re happy to say that most of our holidays go ahead, but dates, destinations, venues and activities listed in our holiday descriptions are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.
Transport
Our clients come from all over the UK. UK holidays begin at the destination accommodation, although sometimes we agree a meeting point as part of the booking process. Overseas holidays begin at the airport or port. Some clients arrange their own transport to join us, but we can arrange a door-to-door service at an additional cost.
Options Supported Holidays are proud to partner with Driving Miss Daisy® to provide a unique door-to-holiday adapted transfer service for our customers.
We are proud to work in partnership with Driving Miss Daisy® to provide a unique, adapted door-to-holiday transfer service for our customers. Their drivers provide added personal assistance from the moment they arrive to pick a client up, include comfort stops where needed and bring their passenger to our supporters whether that is at an airport flight desk or hotel lobby. On occasion we may use local taxi companies whom we know and trust. In this case, all drivers will be given an understanding of the needs of people with learning disabilities. By prior agreement, we can also meet people at nearby coach or train stations - please contact the office for more information.