Venture Force

15/05/2024

🌄 Join Us for our Everest Base Camp 2025 Presentation! 🌄

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? We're looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our incredible team for the Everest Base Camp 2025 expedition! This unique journey features a remarkable mix of sighted and visually impaired trekkers, showcasing the power of teamwork and determination.

📅 Date: 21 May 2024
🕒 Time: 4pm
📍 Location: Online via Zoom (link provided upon request)

Our 2025 team is already shaping up to be fantastic, and we want you to be a part of it! During this virtual presentation, you'll learn all about the expedition, from the stunning landscapes you'll encounter to the unforgettable experiences you'll share.

Discover the details, get your questions answered, and take the first step towards a life-changing adventure.

To receive the Zoom link or for more information, please contact [email protected]

Photos https://www.jamesbusbyimages.com/

08/05/2024

We love to hear how our Venture Force expeditions have positive impact!

The wonderful Abi was part of an orphanage build in Africa back in 2014 with East Leake Academy, which was the start of a series of amazing adventures.

She has volunteered in Nepal, become a Physiotherapist, worked in Sierra Leone for an NGO, trekked to Everest Base Camp and has just started working as one of the Academy physiotherapists at Right to Dream - wow!!

Right to dream are an organisation dedicated to expanding peoples understanding of excellence through football. They have set up academies around the world to create holistic environment, blending elite football training with word class education and character development.

https://www.righttodream.com/

01/05/2024

One of our most magical adventures is to Malaysia!

Our expedition teams can get involved with the wonderful Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia and the PADI Aware Foundation who work towards achieving balance between humanity and the ocean.

Check out our website for our more details on how you could be part of something truly extraordinary 🐢🐠

www.ventureforce.co.uk

22/04/2024

🏔️ Join Our Everest Base Camp Trek 2025! 🏔️

After the incredible success of our 2022 and 2023 expeditions, we’re excited to announce that we are now assembling our team for Everest Base Camp in November 2025!

This unique expedition will bring together visually impaired and sighted trekkers, working together to traverse the historic route through the Himalayas, all the way to the base of the magnificent Everest Peak.

Interested in being a part of this extraordinary adventure?

👉 Learn more about the Everest Base Camp challenge and how you can join on our website: https://www.ventureforce.co.uk/accessible-everest-trekking/

👉 Contact us directly at [email protected] or call us at 01664 490 453.

We can’t wait to explore the heights with you!

Photos 📷: https://www.jamesbusbyimages.com/

27/03/2024

📢 Office Update: Easter Break 🐣

Our team will be taking a little break over Easter. The office will be closed from Wednesday, 27th March and will reopen on Tuesday, 2nd April.

We hope you have an adventure filled bank holiday weekend 🚵‍♀️🛶🌊

26/02/2024

Our Long Field expedition team are on their way back home today. 🛫 After their impactful work alongside the elephants, enhancing the park's facilities, and connecting with the local community, they deserved some well-earned relaxation. In the last few days, they took to the water for some paddleboarding and kayaking, embracing the serene beauty of Thailand's natural landscapes. 🚣‍♂️🌴

We're proud of your accomplishments and excited to welcome you back! 🌟

20/02/2024

🌟 Our Thailand expedition team is making excellent progress on their expedition journey! 🐘 Not only are they bonding with the park's majestic elephants, but they're also embracing the less glamorous side of conservation work with gusto! 💩✨ The team has been working hard on their expedition project, enhancing the park's infrastructure with new fencing installations. 🚧🛠️

🙏 Today was a highlight as the team was honoured with an invitation to an elephant blessing ceremony at the veterinary hospital 🐘✨🌿 and then spent the afternoon making new friends at a local school.

We're impressed with the team's enthusiasm and dedication to fully experiencing expedition life and making the most of every opportunity. Keep up the excellent work, team! Your efforts are truly making a difference. 🌟👏

17/02/2024

🎉 Hey everyone! Our team has landed in Thailand and have they hit the ground running! They're quickly getting into the swing of expedition life.

This morning was all about prepping a hearty breakfast 🍳🥞 to make sure they're energised ⚡ and ready for a day filled with project work 🛠️ and caring for the park's beautiful elephants 🐘.

Keep your eyes peeled 👀 for more updates from our adventure in Thailand!

15/01/2024

As we start to get excited about our upcoming 2024 adventures, we wanted to remind our teams they can use easyfundraising as a great way to raise funds for your expedition.

Use easyfundraising to shop with over 4,000 big name retailers including Amazon, Argos, John Lewis and ASOS – when you shop, you’ll raise a free donation every time, it’s that easy!

Your easyfundraising guide can be found on your portal, so why not start today!

06/12/2023

2023 has been a truly fabulous year for Venture Force, filled with epic adventurers, glorious locations, inspiring projects and many many smiles!

Thank you to all our teams for being so very wonderful - we can't wait for the 2024 contingent to get underway 🐘⛰🐢🏫

13/11/2023

Our epic adventurers have shown incredible strength and determination and have pulled together to reach Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp 🌄

We are so proud of their collective and individual achievements. One of our team Simon said ' What a fantastic experience with a lovely bunch from all backgrounds. So may new memories and friends have been made'

We couldn't agree more! You are on top of the world!

08/11/2023

Everest Base Camp here they come!

Our incredible team has filled the last few days with some epic acclimatisation ascents from Namche, crossing the famous (and very wobbly!) Hilary Bridge and a stunningly beautiful sky in which to enjoy the first appearance of Mount Everest!! Onwards and upwards you wonderful adventurers!!

06/11/2023

This weekend saw the arrival of our 2023 Everest Base Camp team in Nepal!

The team is made up of both sighted and visually impaired adventurers who immersed themselves in the wonders of Kathmandu, before catching a flight to Lukla, where they begin their trekking phase.

We hope the sun continues to shine and that your first steps in the majestic Himalayan peaks are truly magical 🌄

23/10/2023

As our incredible Long Field team ends their expedition in Thailand, we want to say how impressed we have been by their dedication and passion. They've welcomed new experiences, tackled challenges, and grown as a team. 🌄💪

The team have spent the last few days exploring the beautiful Phang Nga Bay 🏝️, watching firewalking at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival 🔥🚶‍♂️, and saying farewell to new friends at the elephant park 🐘👋

21/10/2023

Some lucky members of our amazing Long Field team assisted the elephant park Kwan-chaang (the elephant’s carer, sometimes called a mahout) collecting the elephants from the jungle this morning..... followed by a 'little splash' in the water!

Phang Nga is committed to providing their elephants with the highest quality of life possible and have a strong belief in human-elephant interaction, which means our teams are able to have a life-enhancing experience with these magnificent animals and learn about them in a natural and relaxed environment.

18/10/2023

Our fantastic team from Long Field school have been working hard making both delicious Thai meals and supporting walls at the elephant sanctuary - one looks a little more strenuous than the other!

Their commitment and willingness to thoroughly embrace the expedition project and local culture is wonderful - epic effort team!

16/10/2023

The Long Field team have landed and have immediately embraced expedition life in Thailand!

The team have already been paddle boarding and visited the awesome temple in Khao Lak, before sampling some (not so local!) cuisine in the markets! They are moving on to Phang Nga today, to meet the wonderful Jake, his team and the majestic elephant population of the elephant park 🐘

Huge amounts of fun already and we can't wait to see more of your epic expedition soon Long Field!

16/10/2023

As our most spectacular Maplewell Hall team's time in Thailand comes to a close, we were delighted to receive these wonderful photos showing some more of their adventures.

We couldn't be more proud of this team - they have thrown themselves heartily into every aspect of the expedition with bucket loads of joy! We hope they move forward having truly experienced some life changing moments and forever remember their time in Thailand with Venture Force 🐘 🌴

15/10/2023

What's the secret ingredient for amazing dishes? 🎶🥘

Check out the video to see the students putting their dance moves to good use while preparing a scrumptious Thai meal for the entire team. 🕺💥🍜

14/10/2023

Our Maplewell Hall Team are fully embracing their expedition experience, including encounters with Thailand's majestic elephants. 🤗📷

The team have had the unique opportunity to spend time with these incredible creatures and learn about elephant husbandry from the passionate and dedicated staff at Phang Nga Elephant Park. 🐘

12/10/2023

The Maplewell Hall team have been sampling some Thai local food and fruits from the market, in between some elephant husbandry and helping to build a retaining wall in Phang Nga Elephant Park.

And playing some "broom guitar" during a sweeping session!

We are so proud of the way they have embraced both the project and culture on their epic adventure so far!

10/10/2023

Our marvellous team from Maplewell Hall School have arrived in terrific Thailand and are already thoroughly immersing themselves in life at the Phang Nga Elephant Park.

The team have sent through the following, keeping us updated about their expedition so far:-

"The team spent their first day clearing the elephant compound and cooking a fantastic Thai Green Chicken curry. They also collected stones from a local river to line banking outside the accommodation block and then travelled to a local river for a swim to cool down in the afternoon!"

We can't wait to see what you get up to next - well done team!

18/09/2023

Some epic fundraisers from our teams based in the Midlands, completed a sponsored cycle around Rutland Water this weekend. They completed a 17 or 23 mile route around the reservoir to raise funds for their upcoming adventures and enjoyed some sunshine, smiles and laughs along the way! Amazing effort everyone 🚲♒

11/09/2023

Morocco is one of our wonderful expedition locations and has, this morning, declared three days of mourning following the deadly earthquake in which at least 1,305 have been killed and 1,832 injured.

Our thoughts and hopes are with our friends in the beautiful villages of the Atlas Mountains, who have experienced such a terrifying event and all those throughout the country who have suffered loss. We send our deepest condolences and will be with you again soon.

10/09/2023

What a wonderful day today in the Welsh mountains with our, more than plucky, team in preparation for Everest Base Camp in less than 8 weeks time.
Great to meet the remainder of the group finally. We’re very happy with their abilities. How can you possibly do this when you have a visual impairment. Remarkable!

23/08/2023

As our expedition team from St. Johns begin their last day in Gunjur, we take a look back at their epic adventure! The team have embraced every aspect of their time with the community and, in turn, the community have benefited from their efforts and 'can do' spirit. A huge well done everyone and we hope you have truly made some forever memories!

📸 Check out individual photos for some more activity details.

21/08/2023

As their time in The Gambia approaches its conclusion, the super St. John's team have been busily beach cleaning, meeting some of the more unusual reptile locals (!) and trying out some traditional clothing... plus A Level results day of course!
📸 See the individual photo descriptions for some more detail on the epic adventure so far 🐍

19/08/2023

Today the youngest member of the fantastic Longley family overcame yet another wee fear. He literally jumped at the chance to clean out the croc pond. Armed only with a small broom he stepped into their pool to clean it thoroughly. These crocs were confiscated from people who tried to keep them as pets, and thanks to the dedication of the ARCAS team they will, in later years, be released back into the wild.

18/08/2023

18/08/2023

Final phase with the fantastic Longley family. We’re at the ARCAS animal rescue and rehabilitation centre near Flores. These are animals that have been rescued from smuggling or cruelty and are gradually, where possible, rehabilitated so that they can be released back into the wild. It’s therefore necessary to restrict their contact with humans as much as possible. These beautiful red birds are young Scarlet Macaws that would fetch in excess of $50,000 on the black market. As a result of the illegal trade there are only 200 left in the wild in Guatemala. This vital work could prevent their extinction.