Tag: free guide

Unlocking adventures for all

Discover 200+ Accessible Family Days Out with the New Rough Guide to Accessible Britain 

The Motability Scheme’s “Rough Guide to Accessible Britain” returns for its 10th edition offering over 200 ideas for accessible days out across the UK. The free Guide, ideal for disabled people and their friends, families or carers, provides inspiration for unforgettable summer adventures.

For over a decade, this series has been an invaluable resource for planning accessible outings, particularly for those with disabled children or family members with additional needs.  

Taking the guesswork out of travel, the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is designed to help users to easily find destinations based on their interests, location, and accessibility needs.

Every review has been written by an expert who has lived experience of disabilities and travelling with additional access needs. Readers will not only find detailed information on the physical accessible facilities such as parking but also services such as dedicated tours for neurodivergent individuals, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, relevant discounts for visitors and carers, sensory rooms, and much more.  

From exploring historic castles, family-friendly museums, breathtaking natural landscapes, or adventurous activities, this Guide contains accessible activities for a range of interests: 

  • Family attractions: Enjoy animal and nature reserves, museums, railway adventures, costume tours, interactive craft workshops, and sensory spaces designed to engage visitors of all abilities. 
  • Free attractions: Discover 50 free experiences from the great outdoors to the best of Britain’s arts and culture spots. 
  • Scenic drives: Enjoy up to nine exhilarating driving routes across the UK, complete with recommended stop-off points. 
  • Arts and culture: Visit world-famous prehistoric sites, grand medieval architecture, and more, with hands-on introductions, audio-visual guides, and tours for a range of accessible needs. 
  • Outdoors and adventure: Try white-water rafting on an Olympic course, coasteering or indoor skydiving! Those in search of peaceful escapes can explore nature trails or beaches with off-road mobility vehicles to hire. 
  • New additions: This year welcomes a range of new entries including the Falkirk Wheel, Bamburgh Castle and Lakeland Motor Museum. 

Motability Scheme Ambassador, Mark Ormrod MBE, highlights how the Guide has helped his family plan their days out: “Planning a day out with my family can sometimes be a challenge, but the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain is a game-changer. It empowers everyone, regardless of access needs, to experience what the UK has to offer.

“A particular highlight for me was our visit to the Tarka Trail and Tunnels Beach last summer and we can’t wait to explore more in 2024 using the new Guide.” 

Created in partnership with Motability Operations, the company that delivers the Motability Scheme to over 760,000 customers, the newly refreshed Guide, celebrates over a decade of making British travel and tourism more accessible. 

A free copy of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain can be accessed at motability.co.uk/accessibleguide to unlock a world of accessible adventures this summer and beyond.

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20 million UK adults have ‘no idea’ about end of life care

  • 50 per cent have given no thought to planning if a terminal diagnosis was received –
  • The Rough Guide to the End of Life created and released as urgent free guide to end of life care –
  • Leading end of life charity Marie Curie highlights it supports people with any illness they are likely to die from, not only advanced cancer–

New polling has revealed that around 20 million / over a third (38 per cent) adults agree they do not know what end of life support and services are currently available in the UK, with half admitting they have given little thought to planning ahead if they were to receive a terminal diagnosis.

In response, Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity with a 75-year history, has partnered with Rough Guides to create the first ever UK ‘guidebook’ to end of life. The Rough Guide to the End of Life aims to help people navigate the end of life with advice and information from Marie Curie.

The charity aims to double the number of people it provides direct expert end of life care to by 2028 and highlight its services not only support those with advanced cancer, but any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, and Parkinson’s.  

Despite end of life being inevitable for all, 40 per cent say they would not know how to access the information or services required to best support the needs of someone nearing their end of life.

While two thirds (64 per cent) state they would expect the NHS to refer them to all available resources if they were given a terminal diagnosis, however every five minutes someone dies in the UK without the care they need according to Marie Curie.

There is further confusion around where people can receive end of life care with 43 per cent of people surveyed not knowing care can be received from home. In fact, Marie Curie provides end of life care to people in their own homes. 

Available as a free downloadable guide at www.mariecurie.org.uk/withyou, The Rough Guide to the End of Life intends to help with ‘planning ahead’, offering tips on making a Will and sharing your preferences for your funeral to what to do with your social media and online accounts.

It also provides supportive guidance on how to cope with feelings if you or a loved one are at the end of life stage, alongside guidance on bereavement and grief.

The free guide also features relevant resources and organisations like Marie Curie who can provide support, and where and how to access end of life care when it is needed. 

Maria Novell Chief Innovation, Income and Engagement Officer at Marie Curie says: “It’s heart-breaking when we hear that someone didn’t know Marie Curie could help them or their loved one with the end of life.

“Wherever you are and whatever the illness, Marie Curie is with you to the end and the leading end of life charity. The Rough Guide to the End of Life is a physical demonstration of the support and guidance we provide for many people and families.

“We hope it becomes an invaluable family resource that shows people who are affected by any terminal illness that we’re there for them.

“By being better prepared and knowing how to access the right care and support services, whether for you or a loved one, will help improve a person’s chance of having a good end of life experience.” 

Kate Drynan, Senior Editor at Rough Guides says: “Our guides have supported millions of travellers over the decades, but we could not think of a more important journey than helping people to navigate their final chapter of life.

“We are proud to have partnered with Marie Curie on this important campaign and hope the first The Rough Guide to the End of Life gives support to many.”

To download the first The Rough Guide to the End of Life for free, visit the Marie Curie website www.mariecurie.org.uk/withyou

For more information about Marie Curie please visit: mariecurie.org.uk.  

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