We talk to Roger, Co-Founder of Experience Hampshire, about his suggestions and ideas for something a little different to do with your work colleagues this year

Whilst go-kart racing , bowling, or a day out at the races are an easy 'go to' when you are planning something fun to do with the 'office crowd', Roger believes that there is actually so much more to do locally, especially if you know where to look!

Q: Roger, what inspired you to create Experience Hampshire?

A: I've always been passionate about connecting people with unique experiences that showcase the richness of this amazing county. After years of working in outdoor pursuits and international tourism, I saw an opportunity to create a brand to curate and promote the county's hidden gems, making them accessible to both locals and visitors alike

Q: How can Experience Hampshire help corporate groups seeking unconventional activities?

A: We specialise in offering a more diverse range of experiences than some of our competitors and many of these can be tailored for corporate events and days out. From hedge-laying, foraging workshops and guided 'behind the scenes' historical tours, to circus skills sessions, vineyard tours or mosaic workshops, our experiences are designed to foster a sense of 'togetherness', creativity and a break from the usual office routine.

Q: Can you share some examples of more unusual experiences you've organised for corporate clients?

A: Certainly! We've arranged forest bathing sessions to promote mindfulness, e-bike tours with picnics for team bonding, a mushroom foraging workshop, our unique field gun training day and even a 'Pantomime in a Day' workshops to encourage creativity and collaboration. Any of our experiences can be crafted to meet the specific goals and interests of a team, however large of small.

Q: What benefits do companies see from participating in these experiences?

A: Companies often report improved team cohesion, increased employee engagement and a boost in morale - we like to think that all of our experiences are 'good for the soul'! By stepping out of the traditional work environment and engaging in novel activities, teams build stronger relationships and return to work with renewed energy and perspective.

Q: How do you ensure these experiences support local businesses and the environment?

A: We collaborate with over 150 local Partners across the county of Hampshire, ensuring that our experiences are rooted in the community. Many of our activities have a low-carbon footprint and by promoting local artisans and providers, we contribute to the sustainability and economic growth of this amazing region

Q: Why might a local business reach out to Experience Hampshire to help arrange their next corporate day out, or staff team event?

A: As a Hampshire-based company, we like to think that we really do know the county inside out! There are lots of larger companies offering corporate team days, but often they are based some distance away. We are a local company with excellent local connections to make sure that any event that we arrange is of the best quality.

Our Black Book of contacts allows us to offer a much broader range of experience days to our customers. We know the guides who can give us access to locations not normally open to the public, we offer experiences unique to our company, we know the local experts in an extensive range of activities, we know local landowners who could host your event on their land - all these connections help us offer a much broader range of Hampshire tours, activities and workshops

Q: How can interested parties get in touch to plan a corporate experience?

A: Companies can reach out to me directly on roger@experiencehampshire.uk with some ideas on what they think they might like to do and I'd welcome the opportunity to come back with some suggestions tailored to their requirements

For more information and to explore some of our offerings, visit our Corporate & Group Experiences page