Having doubts about coming? Frequently asked questions

Probably not, we have had several participants in their eighties. Age itself is far less significant than other factors such as how well you feel and how game you are.

Probably not; Odyssey is designed to be accessible to most people with cancer so for instance a stoma need not be a problem, nor a condition such as epilepsy or diabetes, so long as we know about it. You can download a document with more information in Microsoft Word .doc or .pdf format.

Yes. Many terminally ill people have attended Odyssey over the years and gained a huge amount from it as well as enriching the course for others. As one such person said not long ago: "Yes I have an incurable and progressive cancer; yes I'm dying and I may die this year or next year, but Odyssey made me realise that there was still some living to do and I should not ‘die’ before I'm dead."

We are quite used to people in your situation and it need not prevent you from participating fully. If you find yourself doing something which seems to need arm strength just make the staff aware of the situation and they will help you find a way of doing it without discomfort.

If they need to get in touch urgently it will be possible to get a message to you by ringing Hugo Iffla on 07786 962427. Part of the point of Odyssey however is to get away from the pressures of everyday life, one of the greatest of which is created by our habit of permanent availability. This is why we suggest you leave the mobile at home if you can bear to and concentrate for a few days on being here, now, in this moment.

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 five hundred people have been on the Odyssey course over twelve years and a total of three have left early.

Our staff are well trained and hugely experienced and can deal with any imaginable emergency. If you needed full medical care then we would ensure you got it; an appropriate decision would be made depending on the circumstances.

Yes, much of the time! You may find yourself experiencing a slightly less conventional arrangement for a night or two, but as with all aspects of the programme there are always other ways of being involved which may not be immediately obvious. If you are not happy about a situation, talk to a member of staff about it.

Yes, of course. Yes, of course, we will be happy to speak with you about it. Odyssey does not have full time staff but if you call 0845 363 2207 (calls charged at local rate) and leave a message, someone will call you back as soon as possible.