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Game-Changing Midlife Adventures

Where did the inspiration come from?

Guy and I started The Leap back in 2002 focusing purely on volunteer and adventure travel for the young gapper. We are one of the UK’s most experienced Gap Year companies, providing a collection of financially-protected, high-quality programmes across Africa, Asia, Central and South America where safety and customer care come first.

When I hit 50 and, as I quietly (promise) reached for the HRT and 101 supplements, all my friends started signing up for various retreats or challenges. I thought, ‘hold on a sec, we’re all still young, embracing change and nailing challenges so, why can’t we give ourselves that sense of adventure and achievement that we give our gap year teams (and own children).’ And just like that...Midlife Leap was born.

Now I lead, encourage, and organise teams of Midlifers to venture around the world, nailing their bucket list in an organised bubble of ‘sisterhood’ which invites camaraderie, laughter, and friendship bracelets. A true tonic and just what we need in midlife.

Our overseas teams love welcoming the older (marginally) and wiser (by miles) leapers, and report back that we are the harder working generation (of course). So get in touch, and let's start planning - we promise at the core of every trip you will find friendship, teamwork, social responsibility, contribution, challenge and above all fun.

Milly

Meet our team

We’ve been organising volunteering adventures for nearly 20 years with our overseas partners who spearhead inspiring development projects. It’s through their local knowledge which enables us to put together our unique itineraries, through which we will experience local culture, hidden gems and make a life-changing contribution.

Manging Director

Guy Whitehead

Keeps the show on the road

Director

Milly Whitehead

Co-ordinates and leads the Midlife and CSR Programmes.

Operations Manager

Zoe Faulkner

Responsible for getting us all organised and on the plane.

Costa Rica

Chris Patterson

Chris is our partner and host in Costa Rica, who is passionate about conservation and the environment. Along with his brilliant team Chris will enthuse, inspire and lead you throughout the adventure..

Peru: Director of Andean Alliance

Kerri Blumenthal, Ph.D

Kerri has curated our off-grid Machu Picchu adventure using her contacts and local knowledge enabling to experience local life and culture.

Peru: Machu Picchu Guide

Ruben

Ruben is simply awesome. He is our main guide for the trek, and will take us through the Lares Valley which is where he grew up.

The journey so far

2002

Guy & Milly founded The Leap

…on the kitchen table with the assistance of an old green dinosaur Apple Mac. We soon upgraded our technology and moved to the heady heights of our offices in Marlborough.

2010

We sent our 2000th Leaper overseas

Champagne and celebration - we've helped 2000 leapers travel. We begin looking for new countries and projects to meet the needs of the gap year traveller. Cambodia still wins the popularity contest.

2012

£3 million spent overseas

A proud moment; together we've built schools and orphanages, educated children, helped protect endangered wildlife, planted trees and improved health and hygiene in remote communities.

2018

We launch the Midlife and CSR programs

Midlife Leap takes the world by storm starting in Namibia with Guatemala, Costa Rica and Madagascar. More coming soon.

2022

Overcome the pandemic

Yes we survive the pandemic and are ready to re-launch the Midlife Adventures once again

More about Midlife Leap...

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