FAQ

There are many things to take on board if you have joined Spice recently or whether you are still considering joining. Some of the more frequently asked questions are answered here. However, if you do have a query that has not been covered, please contact us on 0118 972 4810.

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Overview

What is Spice?

Spice is the UK's premier adventure, social, leisure group for adults. Founded in 1981, there are over 10,000 members nationwide and 1,000 members in the Thames Valley & Solent region, all living life to the full.

Spice gives you the opportunity to 'live your dream', by trying hundreds of exciting events and gives you the chance to meet lots of like-minded people.

Whether you are an adrenalin junkie, or looking for new friends to socialise with, there's something for everyone in our ever-changing programme of events.

Where is Spice Thames Valley & Solent?

Spice Thames Valley & Solent covers Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire. We have a dedicated Assistant Coordinators for all these regions who take care of the events and the members at a local level. Our local coordinators work extremely hard to make the group much more friendly and welcoming.

We try to spread out the events so that they are easily accessible for everyone and we try to hold some similar events in different locations to allow everyone to enjoy them.

Unique to Spice is the Transport Share Lift system, which allows you to see if anyone in your area is booked onto the same event. This gives you the opportunity to contact members local to you to share transport to the events, cutting the cost of petrol and parking and making new friends as well.

Can I come to events on my own?

Although Spice is not a singles club, about 70% of our membership is single and 30% are couples so it is very acceptable to come to events on your own. You will find Spice is very friendly and that people are very open to chatting to everyone else regardless of whether they’ve met them before. As such Spice is a great way of meeting new friends and trying new things whether you’re on your own or coming with a friend for moral support.  One thing to remember is that everyone was once a new member, and feeling anxious about their first few events.  You'll soon get the hang of it, and looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.

Can I bring my children on events?

Unfortunately not. Spice insurance only covers over 18s and is costed around adult insurance premiums. Instructor to participant ratios are also much higher for children. Besides, we think kids have enough fun as it is!

Also, one of the attractions of Spice for some members is that it is adults only so it gives them a chance to have a weekend away from the kids.

Occasionally we can offer events that take children if the supplier's insurance overrides ours and these events state that children can be taken on them.

What do I get?

You will be a member from the date of joining and receive regular newsletters which detail literally hundreds of events which you may attend.

Due to our standing within the industry, events are competitively priced and many are unique to Spice.

In addition you will receive details of special discounts which have been arranged between Spice and various prestigious retailers, holiday companies etc.

More importantly, Spice membership opens the door to the opportunity of meeting new people, making new friends and increasing your social circle in a way you could not have imagined.

Is Spice a business?

 

We get a lot of questions about how Spice runs from a business point of view. Here is a little information on how your money is spent.

 

 

 

Is Spice a business?

 

Spice is a commercial business. We seek to operate at a profit, which pays staff salaries.

 

The main difference from the general commercial world is that those running Spice groups have made what accountants describe as a 'lifestyle choice.' (In plain English this means that Coordinators and staff have chosen to leave better paid jobs and careers to do something they love and believe in).

 

One other difference is the valuable contribution made to the group by keen volunteers in event coordination, which helps us to keep the costs down.

 

 

What are the major costs?

 

We contribute to the national running of Spice UK, which covers the salaries of the staff who organise your Spice holidays, plus national initiatives, advertising and events.

 

Fixed costs include banking, office rental, telephone bills, heating, electricity, office supplies, legal fees, web maintenance, motoring and IT costs.

 

A huge cost is the producing, printing, packing and posting of newsletters to over 100 enquirers each month. There is also the cost of producing and sending the newsletters to over 1,000 members bi-monthly.

 

On top of this is the cost of recruiting members - room hire for Preview Nights, advertising stands in leisure centres and at fairs, country shows etc.

 

Another hidden cost is VAT. Most of our activity suppliers are not VAT registered yet we have to be. We have to allow a full 15% in most of our costs which we can't claim back.

 

 

Where does income come from?

 

Membership Fees: the fees we receive for membership cover a proportion of our costs. We set these to cover the cost of producing and sending the newsletters and the costs of recruiting members. Also, a sizeable portion is returned to Spice UK to pay for the national structure of Spice and the administration of national initiatives and events.

 

Event Income: in our negotiations with suppliers we try to achieve a price to members which is competitive yet also covers such costs as the administration of the event, the VAT element and the cost of a place for a coordinator where applicable. There is also an element of 'swings and roundabouts' in that events, which are financially successful, allow us to allow some events to go ahead at a loss (rather than having to cancel them and disappoint members) or for us to speculate on investment in new ideas.

 

 

What is an 'admin fee?'

 

When we organise events we take into account the overall cost of running the business across all the events, offset against any group discounts and price the events accordingly.

 

 

 

Why do ticket prices sometimes differ from the newsletter?

Why do ticket prices sometimes differ from the newsletter?

 

We tend to book theatre trips on a Friday or a Saturday night, when group discounts are not available.  We also tend to book the most popular acts, which are also not discounted.  Most theatre tickets do not include VAT, which we have to add onto the price of the event. Theatres also add a handling and service charge, which is why our prices appear higher than the public price. Our members are happy to pay this extra charge as it means they will see a show with a group of friends, rather than going alone, or missing out.

 

When group discounts do apply, we don't know whether we shall achieve numbers for a discount or what level of discount we shall receive. Therefore we have to make a judgement. Either we cost tickets at the normal public price so we don't risk losing money if sales are poor, or if we feel we are confident of numbers we pass a proportion of likely discount to members. This is why ticket prices so frequently differ - but over a number of visits you will find that sometimes we win, sometimes we lose sometimes we just break-even!

What is the cancellation policy?

Evening and one day events

Note: not ticketed.

Providing you give us seven full days' notice you will receive a full refund less a £3 Cancellation Fee (except where stated otherwise in the Newsletter event description).

Ticketed events

Theatre, concerts, etc. Sorry, these are non-refundable unless we can resell your place, as tickets have already been purchased.

Overnight events and events costing over £100

Note: excludes overseas trips.

Providing you give us more than twenty eight full days' notice you will receive a full refund less a Cancellation Fee of £15. (except where stated otherwise in the Newsletter event description).

Holidays and overseas trips

Note: more than three overnights or outside UK.

Cancellation is as per the Terms and Conditions as supplied with Holiday Information Packs. Cancellation should be in writing.

Where cancellation is received within the cancellation period prior to an event, you will lose all monies paid (and also be liable for any balance) unless we can replace you. If you simply do not turn up for an event without contacting us you will automatically forfeit any monies paid, and will be liable for any balance.

Should Spice cancel any event you will be sent a full refund by credit note. Amounts over £50 are generally by cheque or refunded back to your card. Credit notes can be returned to the Spice office at any time for either a refund or in payment for an event. Credit notes cannot be used for Spice UK national events or with other Spice groups.  Our policy is that wherever possible we will always issue a refund.

What other things should I be aware of?

Office hours

The Spice office is open Monday-Friday between 10am and 4pm. There is also a 24-hour answer phone, so please leave a message and we will get back to you when we are next in the office.  An emergency mobile is also available on 07703 538 234.

How to join Spice

Simply join on-line, or if you can't wait to get started, you can join over the phone with your credit/debit card on 0118 972 4810. Alternatively complete and return the membership form enclosed in your enquiry pack along with your credit card details or completed direct debit mandate.  

Booking onto events

You can book online 24 hours a day at the Spice website. Or you can ring us during office hours on 0118 972 4810.

You can check event availability, and whether we have received your booking - by looking at 'Current Bookings' on the Spice Thames Valley & Solent website.

Please note: Bookings are only secure when payment has been received. Never simply turn up at a Spice event as this is unfair to those who have taken the time to book and it may mean a wasted journey if we cannot accommodate you.

Late bookings

We do sometimes have slots available at the last minute due to cancellations etc. Please call the office on 0118 972 4810 for details and be ready to pay by credit'debit card to secure your place. Many events do sell out, so the best advice is to book early to avoid disappointment.

Confirmation of bookings/cancellations

Your booking is automatically confirmed on the web.  Please go to 'My Details' to see the status of your account. We shall contact you in the rare instance that an the event has been cancelled. If you do require other confirmation please check the current bookings on the website.

If you can’t make it to an event

Please contact the Spice office if you cannot make an event. Other members may be left waiting for you to arrive, and team events such as sports evenings may depend on your attendance for even team numbers. If there is a wait list we will always try to sell your slot as we prefer events to go ahead full. 

Our policy is that wherever possible, we will try to resell your place in order to give you a refund whatever the timescale, so do let us know if you can't make an event, even at short notice and we will do our best to help. If you simply do not turn up for an event without contacting us you will automaticaly forfeit all monies paid, and will be liable for any balance.  

Please also see the Spice Cancellation Policy.

Guest policy

Spice is a membership organisation and guests are welcome on Spice events as an introduction to Spice. Guests pay a guest price - details appear in the event write-ups. We ask that guests only attend 3 events, after which time we expect them to become members - in the long run this can work our cheaper as they do not have to pay guest premiums.

Ex-members are excluded from the guest policy.

Contact details for someone you met on an event

Spice will send out limited contact information for purposes of lift share to weekend events where appropriate. We are unable to give out personal contact details for any other purpose. If you meet someone you like on an event please ensure you get their contact details.

Most importantly

Spice is all about enjoying yourself - so remember to have fun!!

 

Membership

How do I join Spice?

Joining Spice Thames Valley & Solent is really simple.

Click here to join online now. All you need is a debit or credit card and a passion to 'live your dream'.

Alternatively you can call the Spice Thames Valley & Solent office on 0118 972 4810 if you can't wait to get started.

Office hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

You can also join at one of our Preview Evenings, where you'll meet your local Coordinators.

Quarterly subscription by Direct Debit

Paying quarterly by Direct Debit allows you to spread the cost of joining. It also means that you can cancel your membership at any time without penalty.

Our policy is to keep your Direct Debit payment rate unchanged for as long as your membership period continues unbroken. The only circumstances where we might have to review this policy would be an economic climate of very high inflation. Any changes to your Direct Debit will be notified to you in writing.

The current rates are as follows:

• Standard (one member) £36
• Couple (two people at the same address) £54

Please complete the Direct Debit section on your application form and return it to us with an original signature. Your subscription will be debited to your account automatically on the 15th of the month (or as soon as your bank receives the instruction) and then every three months on the 15th of the month.

Please note that the option of quarterly payments is only available to those paying by Direct Debit. Those who wish to pay by any other method may only take out an Annual Membership

Annual subscription rates

Those who prefer to pay by credit/debit card can pay for a full year at the following rates. For express membership, you can even join over the telephone on 0118 972 4810:

• Standard (one member) £144
• Couple (two people at the same address) £216

Personal Accident Insurance

Your subscription fee includes liability insurance on all the events you take part in with Spice, so if you damage any property or equipment or accidentally injure another member you are covered. Your subscription also includes personal accident cover whilst taking part in any Spice event or travelling to or from it. 

Satisfaction guarantee

If you decide within the first three months of your membership that Spice membership is not for you, we guarantee to return all membership monies to you without question.

I've just joined - what do I do next?

You've taken your first step and joined Spice, and the next step is to come along to your first event. I know this can be a daunting prospect when you don't know anyone else in the group, but there's no need to be apprehensive - Spicer's are a friendly bunch!  Most of us come along on our own to events, so we are used to meeting and welcoming new people. We also remember what it was like turning up on our first event and not knowing what to expect! Just tell your coordinator or supplier that it's your first time so they can introduce you to everyone in the group - they'll soon have you laughing and feeling at ease. 

We send all our new members a 'Buddy List' within one month of joining. This gives you some ideas of upcoming events for new members and puts you in contact with our long term Volunteer Coordinators who are available to help you get over any initial nerves.

I've booked my first event - what should I expect?

There's no need to be worried about anything in Spice - we're all very friendly and welcoming. We all remember that the first few events can be daunting for a new member.  If you have any questions, just call the Spice office on 0118 972 4810 and we'll do our best to help. And don't forget to speak to your Volunteer Coordinators (VCs) when you're on an event - they really enjoy meeting new members and it’s a great reward for them to see new members enjoying themselves after an apprehensive start!

If you have any questions at all just give the Spice Office a call at the office on 0118 972 4810 and we'll always do our utmost to help you.

Another tip is to take a newsletter with you - you can ask the advice of the longer terms members on which events to try.

What if I move away from the area?

Just let us know where you are moving to and we can transfer your membership to your nearest group. Your current membership rate will continue with your new group.  Remember, if you join quarterly by Direct Debit, this amount remains unchanged for as long as you maintain continuous membership.

If you are away for a short period, or working in another part of the UK, you are welcome to attend events run by other Spice groups. You'll have to book direct with that group by telephone as your Spice Thames Valley & Solent membership number is unique only to our group. All Spice groups, including Spice UK are listed in the back of your bi-monthly newsletter.

Events

When do I get a Newsletter?

The Spice Thames Valley & Solent colour newsletter is produced quarterly. This includes events, weekends and national holidays.

As new events are added throughout the month, you don't have to wait until your newsletter hits your doorstep to book onto any new events. Just keep checking the Events List for updates.

We aim to have the newsletter land on your doorstep on the 1st of the month. We are however at the mercy of the printers and the postal system, so please bear with us if it's a few days late. The electronic newsletter is also available to download any time - which is handy if you've left your paper copy at home. 

We also publish regular updates and post additional events online so check the home page and 'Events Diary' links for the latest information.

How do I book events?

Once you have decided which of the numerous events you wish to attend, just pick from the following methods to let us know which events you are interested in:

You can telephone us on 0118 972 4810. Office hours are Monday-Friday 10am-4pm.

Or you can book online at any time to suit your convenience.

What if I cannot attend an event?

Provided you give us enough notice you will usually receive a full refund less a nominal cancellation fee.

However cancellation policies vary on many events, details of which will always be given in the newsletter.

Please see the Spice cancellation policy.

Do I need special equipment?

Most of our events are aimed at the beginner unless stated otherwise. As such all specialist equipment and instruction is provided and no prior knowledge is required. This gives you the chance to try an activity and see if you like it before spending hundreds of pounds on something that will end up as just another fad.

You will be sharing your experiences with other like-minded people and gain the advantage of support from the group. All our instructors are fully qualified and used to calming the nerves of even the most timid - so that you have an enjoyable and fun day.

Some events and weekends do require equipment as a prerequisite. This will be detailed in the event write up.

For rambles, we do recommend you invest in a good pair of walking boots and waterproofs. We ask that you do not wear jeans on rambles as they can get cold and heavy when wet and will cause discomfort.

For horse riding, you will need to wear boots with a small heel and smooth soles.

For cycling and mountain biking events, you will need to bring a helmet and you will not be allowed on the event if you are not wearing it.

Can I bring a friend?

Guests are very welcome on events although they will pay a guest price, which is detailed in the write-ups. As we are a membership group, we ask that guests attend 3 events, after which we will expect them to join.  Sorry, but ex-members are not allowed to book as guests as it is unfair on our members who are paying their membership fees.

If you do come along with a friend, do make sure you introduce them and integrate them into the group. I know it's tempting just to stay with your guest, but you will get more out of Spice if you come out of your comfort zone and interact with your fellow Spicers as well. 

Do I need a car?

You will need transport to get to the various events. However members often travel share and you will have access to the Transport Share List once you have booked onto any particular event.

If you wish to attend an event and think that you might have a problem in getting there, just call the Spice office for some additional advice and guidance.

I don't want to bungee jump or skydive!

You don't have to be an adrenaline junkie to join Spice!  We have lots of social and leisure events, such as rambles and town walks to meals out and party nights.  You can do whichever events you choose - it’s your choice. You never know, you may find with time that you expand your own limitations and try something that you never dreamed possible.

Do I have to go on a certain number of events per month?

No. Spice is there for you to dip in and out of as you choose. You may do loads of events one month and nothing for the next month - it’s entirely up to you. Some members join just to do the weekends or the holidays.

Tell me all about rambles

All Spice rambles are designed to be fun, enjoyable, and above all, safe. All our walk leaders are fully trained and experienced, carry first aid and emergency equipment, and are properly equipped for the conditions.

Any Spice Ramble, Winter/Summer Stroll or Night Hike may involve walking over open country, not necessarily over well defined paths, so please wear the appropriate clothing. You should wear several layers, and we recommend you bring a waterproof jacket and trousers. We do not recommend jeans which get heavy and cold when wet.  Accidents and injuries are extremely rare but most 'injuries' are caused by ill-fitting boots or inappropriate socks, so no trainers, please. A relatively minor injury can result in the walk being curtailed, so please ensure that you are happy with your equipment, for your own comfort.

Bring liquids and a packed lunch. Even if the write up suggests a convenient pub stop, please do not take this for granted. Pubs have been known to be full or even closed.

Most walks start from small country car parks, so do consider car sharing to reduce the number of spaces taken by Spice members and as a consideration to other members of the public using the facilities. Please ensure that you take sensible precautions to protect your car and belongings.

Sorry dog lovers, but we do not allow dogs on any of our rambles or town walks. We take up to 40 people on our rambles, times this by 40 dogs and I'm sure you'll understand that chaos will inevitably ensue!

What is Spice U40?

What is Spice U40 and why are you introducing it?

Spice U40 is an initiative to increase the number of members joining and remaining in Spice who are in their 20s and 30s.

Spice's average ages grows approximately 3/4 of a year for every actual year that passes. We would like to stabilise this ascent so the events program remains balanced between Adventure, Social and Leisure events as it is presently. We could leave this for another couple of years, however it is best addressed sooner rather than later.

The reason for this increase is two-fold:

1) The main source of new members is word of mouth which is excellent, however people generally talk to people around their own age, hence those who are joining are of a similar age to those already in the group.

2) The average length of time a member stays is increasing which is also excellent news, which means we must be doing something right. Obviously point two has a direct effect on point one and the average age grows.

New blood is the lifeline of any business, and if we can keep the members we have, keep the word of mouth working and increase the number of members we presently recruit in their 20s and 30s then we will be successful in stabilising the average age of Spice. This has the positive effect of keeping the Adventure, Social and Leisure balance on the events.

Why are you only appealing to younger members?

We are not. As with the above question we are trying to balance the ages, after all word of mouth accounts for around 90% of new members joining. Remember when you were a new member? I bet you told all your friends about Spice. After 3-4 years, are you still doing the same? Chances are your friends are also now 3-4 years older. Hence having an initiative that attracts younger members will balance the ages of those joining. The U40 initiative has been trialled in other regions, and has shown to be successful in increasing event bookings, as well as bringing new members on board.

Is Spice ageist?

With Dom in his 30s and Jane in her 40s - the answer is no! The only age restriction we have is that you need to be over 18 to join.

Why not put on events that will appeal to younger members?

We think we do. With lots of sports nights, party nights, and a gig guide which has included Kaiser Chiefs, the Zutons, the Fratellis, the Stereophonics plus music festival link ups. We also put on lots of adrenaline events including bungee jumps, fire walking and adventure racing. We also have a new-look website and colour newsletter which is interactive and can be downloaded.

Personally I believe these events should attract all ages. Why do you need to be young to get involved with any of them? But this on its own it will unfortunately not be a long term solution. 

What are you doing to increase numbers on events?

This year we’ve been working harder than ever to sell events. We've been sending out member updates to all members booked on future Spice Thames Valley & Solent events. We've also asked those booked onto events to help us promote events by telling their friends.

In the colour newsletter we have introduced a Letters page to get members talking about the events. We also have a Members Profile page. This is all designed to help members - new and long term, to get involved in their group.

We also rely on our band of VC’s to help. Some go on the message boards to promote the events they are coordinating, others use Facebook, others contact everyone they’ve ever met on an event.

What else are you doing to increase membership?

We work hard to promote Spice in many ways, and as such have seen Spice Thames Valley & Solent nearly double in size in the last 5 years since Jane and myself took over.

Some of the ways we promote Spice is on company visits, at country shows, carnivals, Mela's, gyms, leisure centres, Google and Facebook. In every issue of the Spice newsletter we ask for help on the above initiatives. We do our own PR to keep costs down including approaching local newspapers to national magazines (We tend to find PR works better than advertising as Spice is actually quite hard to explain in just a few words). We have introduced the Refer a Friend promotion for our members as a way of giving something back to our members as 90% of our new members come from word of mouth.

We launched the Spice Awareness Day in all our regions, and lots of exciting new ideas and initiatives came out of it. Look out for future updates on the website.

Is Spice discriminating against the over 40’s?

No we're not. Gyms put on exercise classes for the over 50s, for teenagers and for pre and post natal women. Some people in these categories might feel uncomfortable exercising with people out of their age range, whilst pre and post natal women might feel self-conscious about their bodies and want a routine specifically tailored for their needs. The gym isn’t discriminating since other people can still attend classes there, it’s just giving its other customers (some of whom would otherwise stay away) what they want.

Saga and Young at Heart put on holidays for the more mature traveller, Club 18-30 caters for the younger end of the holiday market. Solo arrange their holidays into age bands.

What happens when you reach 40, some of your friends are U40 and you can’t go on the events?

It needs to be stressed that whilst U40 events are aimed at members in their 20s and 30s anyone of any age is welcome to join in, as long as you're over 18.

There will only be 1-2 U40 social events per month for each region, (Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire). These are in addition to the other events we run so you can still enjoy over 100 events every month, having plenty of opportunities to meet up with all your Spice friends on these events.

Why do we need separate events - doesn’t Spice advocate that age doesn’t matter?

Try to look at it from a 20-something’s point of view. You might have recently left university or college where you were surrounded with people your own age. Then you join Spice, and the majority of members are 10-20 years older than you - old enough to be your parents. Whilst most people in their 20s enjoy an occasional night out with their parents they also want to meet and socialise with people of their own age (and vice versa).

Will the number of U40 events increase and will you be putting on weekends?

We’ve listened to the concerns from Spice members regarding an increase in the number and type of U40 events put on in other Spice groups. We shall only be putting on 1-2 social events for each area per month.  Spice Thames Valley & Solent U40 members can book onto other U40 events run by other groups, with that group's approval.

Will U40's pay the same membership fee as the over-forties?

Members who join quarterly by Direct Debit have their membership fees frozen at the rate they joined at, for as long as they maintain continuous membership. As Spice generally increases its membership fee every 2 or 3 years in accordance with general price increases, those who are already members on direct debit are not affected by this increase. 

Will there be events specifically for those members over 40?

No. As the U40 events are an addition to the program and anyone can attend, there is no need.

Spice also needs to retain its older members - are you only interested in helping the younger members?

We think we do a lot to get all our members involved in the group. We have introduced three Regional Coordinators who are doing a great job generating interest in the events and creating a local feel with new members of all ages.  We have also re-launched Refer a Friend to get all our members talking to all their friends, regardless of age. Because we believe no one should miss out on this much fun!