Considering coming? Frequently asked questions

No, and we won't ask you to talk about your cancer. Odyssey is most certainly therapeutic but we firmly believe that experiences in the outdoors affect people in a profound and deeply beneficial way without the need for lengthy and probing discussions.

Naturally participants may choose to have such conversations but we won't start them. A glass of wine and a good meal is what you need at the end of a great day!

Anyone over eighteen who has been treated for cancer and is looking for a chance to rediscover their zest for life.

It's free. There is no charge for the course so the only cost to you is travelling there and back and a bit of spending money. (There might be a visit to the pub and we sell 'T' shirts and sweatshirts as souvenirs at the end of the week).

All other costs are borne by the charity from it's fundraising activities.

Odyssey currently runs in Kent and the West Midlands and Scotland. We aim to grow to other areas of Britain over the next few years and are actively seeking funding to make this possible.

Not very. You need to be able to look after your personal needs and manage stairs. As a guide, if you can walk, say, a mile you should be fine.

If that would be too much for you but you are keen to come, contact us to talk about it as a lot depends on your particular circumstances. We don't want to invite someone who will find they are excluded from large elements of the programme, but we aren't working with athletes either!

Yes, anyone who is still under a consultant is eligible and many of those who get the most from Odyssey finished treatment a while before. Come when you feel ready.

It depends on your circumstances. If you are able to wait until you are far enough out of treatment that you are not feeling unwell from it, then you are likely to get a lot more from the week. For some people that is not an option however. If you are unsure, get in touch and we can discuss what is most appropriate for you.

If you're still left with doubts, talk to your oncologist.

We recognise the that there would be potential benefits to carers, but Odyssey is for people who have had cancer themselves; we just haven't the resources to spread the net wider than that. Other organisations may be able to help though; Sail4Cancer offers help with joint sailing and activity holidays.

Yes. Odyssey can really help people in your position get back on their feet, regain control and get on with enjoying life.

We recognise the that there would be potential benefits to carers, but Odyssey is for people who have had cancer themselves; we just haven't the resources to spread the net wider than that.

If you are being treated at a hospital, practice or hospice which is involved with Odyssey then please go through them, but if they do not know about Odyssey, or if you have any difficulty, contact us directly with your details and we'll take it from there.

No. Odyssey has been designed for adults and we only operate with people over 18. We are not licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority to work with younger people and it would be impractical to do this without working from a fixed base. Other organisations may be able to offer something appropriate for children. These include the Institute for Outdoor Learning, PGL and Outward Bound.

See the course dates page.

Of course. Just let us know what you eat when you apply to come. We are pretty flexible during the week if there is any difficulty as long as you aren't TOO expensive in your tastes.

You would of course be free to go if you wished, subject to the practical constraints of location, transport and staffing. This is a very rare occurrence however. Over eight hundred people have been on the Odyssey course over twelve years and a total of four have left early.

We would generally say that part of the adventure lies in meeting unknown people whom you know nothing about; it may also be very difficult to arrange practically, but it is not out of the question. It would be best to discuss it on the telephone with us; please call Odyssey on 01539 732 783 or email us giving your phone number.