Sharon Hall: helping the group to smile and make memories

How did you first get into organising trips?

It started when I used to organise an annual pantomime trip to the local theatre at the end of the year for friends and family. The following year, more friends said that they would have liked to come along so I added them to the list. Then my children started nursery, so I organised a little trip to The Deep in Hull for them. It just grew and grew.

It wasn’t until about my fifth year in that we started doing trips to the West End. We saw The Lion King, but I remember just booking the cheapest tickets I could find, rather than the best seats. It was a great day, but I learned how important it was to chat to the group bookings teams in advance who can help you make the most of the experience.

Why is it so important to make connections as a GTO?

It’s key to a successful trip. If you don’t have a good relationship, particularly with those looking after you, the visit won’t work well. I had one lady on a trip in Nottingham whose ticket wouldn’t scan. When I rang up to sort the problem for her, they knew exactly who I was – the manager even rang back to assure me that everything was fine because they have got to know me so well over the years.

Apart from the theatre, where else do you organise trips?

The group started as a way to make theatre trips more accessible to people, but over the years it’s grown to include all sorts of visits, depending on what the group wants. This year we’ve been on a break to Potters Resorts, we’ve been to Mamma Mia! The Party and not forgetting the Birmingham Tattoo.

We’re also going to do a JCB Factory tour, which is more for the boys. People will ring me up and offer suggestions, then sometimes I put it out to the rest of group to see who is interested.

What would you say is your most memorable trip?

We’ve done Disneyland Paris which was brilliant, and carols at the Royal Albert Hall, but the one that sticks out for me is our annual Polar Express trip to Mid-Norfolk Railway. Our ages range from four months to 90-years-old, so this one brings everyone together. 

Our driver will dress up as Father Christmas, or something Christmassy, and we’ll all put our pyjamas on for the train journey. Our children will get a small gift as part of the experience – it’s just magical.

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The Emmerdale Village Experience was a hit among the group.

ABBA Voyage in London has featured among the trips Sharon has organised.

There were plenty of smiles on a trip to Disneyland Paris.

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How do you keep people informed with what’s coming up?

We have a closed Facebook group where all my members can keep up to date, but I’ve also had my own website for around four years now which makes everything so much easier and my workload lighter. 

Anyone who wants to apply for my trips does so via the website now, and I have mailing lists which offer a whole new way of communication with people.

Out of all the shows you’ve seen, what part would you love to play on stage?

It would have to be Elphaba in Wicked. I’d love to be able to sing No Good Deed as good as she does in the West End! I loved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a little girl and the show offers a whole new backstory to that film.

How do you think your group would describe you?

I think they would say the loveliest things. They’re the reason that makes what I do so easy. I have the best people who come on my coach trips and I couldn’t do it without them. My mum sadly passed away last year and the support and love I received from that group was overwhelming. The trips still ran of course, but everyone was amazing.

This is by far the most rewarding job I’ve ever done because I’m making people happy and helping them to create memories.