Travel Matters Enterprises Ltd is a fully bonded travel agency offering a comprehensive range of travel services. They can arrange anything from domestic flights to worldwide tailor-made holidays, and are not affiliated to any individual tour operator or airline so can offer independent advice when arranging their customers' travel plans. Travel Matters also provides training and work experience opportunities for individuals recovering from mental health problems in a real work environment.
Travel Matters was originally established in 1996 under the auspices of East Surrey Priority Care NHS Trust, to train and employ individuals recovering from mental health problems in East Surrey. On 1 June 2006 Travel Matters was externalised from the NHS Trust as an independent social firm. This was the first known case of a successful externalisation from the NHS.
Travel Matters Enterprises is an independent Social Firm which employs five staff. It also offers up to 100 training and work experience sessions a week for individuals recovering from mental health problems as part of a contract secured with Surrey Primary Care Trust.
As part of its commitment to its training programme Travel Matters also offers two supported employment positions at any one time to two of its trainees, as a bridging point back into open employment. The annual turnover of the travel business is around £800,000.
Travel Matters Enterprises provides a wide range of travel services for a wide range of customers. Approximately 50% of the travel bookings are for residential homes including groups with special needs. The balance of the business is comprised of general retail travel and business travel bookings for individuals and groups worldwide.
Peter Cobbett, Managing Director, says: “All of the profits from the travel agency are re-invested into the company to support the training scheme that we offer to individuals with mental health problems. Every booking made with us helps to make a difference, in providing the work upon which the training is based and the income to help to fund the training. We have a proven track record of assisting our trainees to progress back into open employment or further trainin. This combined with a determination to provide a high level of service to our customers at a competitive price has helped us go from strength to strength over the last decade.”
Customer comments
"We were so very impressed not only with the high quality of service Travel Matters provided, but also that you are a social enterprise with a fantastic mission. The UK is so far ahead of the US in the number of social enterprises, and it is so inspiring to see all of the different traditional businesses that can be adapted to become social enterprises without sacrificing quality. Travel Matters is a true model of what can be accomplished by innovation and a desire to make one's community better. So I want to thank YOU two-fold: for providing Robert with a wonderful and memorable trip to the UK, and for inspiring me (and I'm sure all of your clients!) to think beyond what I know of social enterprise, and helping me to realize what an incredible impact it can have on the world if only everyone took the time to realize it's power. This was by far the most seamless travel experience I have had working with a travel agency.... I only wish you had a branch in the US!! But the next time our travel plans include Europe... believe I will be calling you! I can honestly say I have not a single complaint... you and your team were prompt with my requests, provided far lower prices than I found anywhere else, and were simply a joy to work with. If there is ever a time when I can give a recommendation for your spectacular service, I would be more than happy to! Thank you." Erin Teal Littlestar, DC Central Kitchen, V3 Campaign, Washington, America www.dccentralkitchen.org
“My travel arrangements could not have been in safer hands over the last ten years. Always efficient, always helpful. I am so glad that I found them.” Sandra Wells, Woking, Surrey
“The holidays for both service users and staff, from enquiry to booking, have always been efficient, value for money and service user orientated. The 24-hour service is nothing but the best..especially when you get lost! We have used Travel Matters for a number of years now to book our service user holidays and all of the staff have been extremely helpful and considerate, and nothing has ever been too much trouble." Liz Murray, Residential Home Manager
For further information visit www.travelmattersuk.com or call01737 789 997 or email mail@travelmatters.info
