Sandra McDonald: quirky places to visit and short break ideas

Tell us how you became a group organiser

I found myself on a fam trip one day, and I met Shauna Potts from Simply Groups and Sylvia Saxon from the New Meridian Association, and over the years I’ve got to know them very well. I started off doing day trips, taking people to places like the Brooklands Museum and the Weald & Downland Living Museum. Then I stopped doing day trips and focussed on short breaks and it’s just built from there. I’m lucky that by going to AGMs and different events, I’ve got to know a lot of people in the industry.

What kind of places do you travel to for short breaks?

It’s mainly UK-based, although we did venture abroad last year to Luxembourg which was absolutely amazing! We took part in a wine tasting experience in the cellars of a vineyard which was one of the highlights. I would recommend it to other groups, the roads are fantastic and some of the surrounding areas are beautiful.

What have you got coming up?

We’ve just come back from the Peak District and managed to choose the only week with good weather so we did well! We stayed in the oldest hotel in Buxton which was lovely and all the feedback was that it was the best short break we had ever done. We’re going to Kynren in September which has proved really popular. I’ve organised to go to Paris next May and the coach was full after two days of it being on sale, so I’m doing something right.

Can you recommend any quirky places for groups?

I’ve recently taken a group to the Cinema Museum in Kennington, which is housed in the workhouse that Charlie Chaplin and his mother lived in when he was a child. We got to watch a lot of old films, the building itself is incredible and it’s a little bit of a gem in London.

What kind of age range do you have in your group?

We range from 60s to 90s, and always make sure everyone can take part in the trip no matter what. We like to do a mix of attractions where everyone can do what they like. Some people might just sit in the café and enjoy being out with friends, while others might like to explore. When we went to Wales, I had a 90-year-old kitted up with a helmet at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. There was no way she wasn’t getting in that cage with us to explore underground!

Is there a big challenge you’re facing at the moment?

The challenge for me is to get as many single rooms as possible. I try and get as many as I can because I know so many of my group members well enough to understand their needs. Some members have walking difficulties and memory problems so I have to think about their needs.

I always do a coach seating plan and sit the more vulnerable people near the front. Then I find it much easier to deal with their needs and plan around them. There’s always a single room supplement based on the tour operators I use; however my members only complain on the odd occasion if they get a tiny room, but we don’t mind paying that little bit more for a quality hotel.

When we went to Wales, I had a 90-year-old kitted up with a helmet at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. There was no way she wasn’t getting in that cage with us to explore underground!

Is there something a GTO should always remember to do before a trip?

No matter where we’re going, I always do a risk assessment. Whether that’s by doing a pre-visit or by reading up about it online, I like to make sure every possible outcome has been prepared for. For example, when we went to the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire, everyone had prior instructions about how to get on and off the cable car, how many steps there were going to be and how much walking was involved.

What’s the best part about your job?

The people by far as they’ve all become friends. They’re so lovely to me and make such lovely comments after the trips. Sometimes I get cards sent to me, as well as wine and flowers to say thank you. They like to do a collection for me as I always take the free place allowance off everyone’s bill to make it cheaper.