Accessible Hospitality Alliance Honors Claire Welsh and Steve Welsh as Access Champions, Acknowledging Their Commitment to Advancing Accessibility in the UK’s Specialist Holiday Sector for Families with Disabilities

The Accessible Hospitality Alliance (aha) has recognized the exceptional leadership of Claire Welsh and Steve Welsh by appointing them as Access Champions for Holistic Thinking Holidays. This appointment highlights their dedication to improving accessibility for families with disabilities and complex mobility challenges within the specialist holiday accommodation sector in the UK.

Holistic Thinking Holidays: Transforming Travel for Families with Disabilities

Holistic Thinking Holidays, a business founded by Claire and Steve Welsh, was born out of a clear mission: to redefine holiday experiences for individuals living with disabilities. The couple’s commitment to making holidays more accessible has led them to create a growing portfolio of holiday homes across England and Wales. These properties are specifically designed to cater to the needs of those with mobility challenges, ensuring that they can travel and enjoy vacations with the same confidence and comfort as anyone else.

The properties under their management feature ceiling hoists, a key accessibility feature that has become increasingly important for families in need of specialized accommodations. The Welsh couple’s work in providing these accessible holiday homes has positioned them as leaders in the sector and their continued success reflects the transformative impact of thoughtful design paired with lived experience.

A Lifetime of Expertise and Dedication

Claire Welsh, with over 30 years of experience as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, brings invaluable insight into the practical challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Her professional journey has included roles as an Expert Witness and Case Manager, where she has gained a deep understanding of the complexities involved in supporting individuals with complex needs. This extensive experience has shaped her approach to accessibility, ensuring that every aspect of Holistic Thinking Holidays is designed with genuine empathy and practical foresight.

Steve Welsh, who joined the business after a successful career in electronic manufacturing, has been instrumental in translating Claire’s vision into a scalable, sustainable business model. His role in overseeing operations and expanding the reach of Holistic Thinking Holidays has been crucial in ensuring the business grows in both impact and capacity. Together, the Welsh couple has cultivated a portfolio of 13 accessible holiday homes, stretching from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newquay.

The Welsh couple’s leadership has proven that accessibility, when approached with genuine insight and careful planning, is not just a necessity but a cornerstone of successful hospitality. By creating spaces that cater to the specific needs of disabled guests, they have shown the hospitality sector how thoughtful design can enhance both the guest experience and business sustainability.

The Role of Access Champions: Leading the Way for the Industry

The appointment of Claire and Steve Welsh as Access Champions by the Accessible Hospitality Alliance is a reflection of their dedication to the accessibility movement. As Access Champions, they will contribute to the ongoing development of the aha community by sharing their expertise and advocating for accessibility as a core value in modern hospitality. This role allows them to help guide and inspire other operators within the sector, further driving the commitment to accessibility.

Robin Sheppard, Co-Founder of the Accessible Hospitality Alliance, praised the Welsh couple, stating that they embody the qualities that Access Champions represent. Sheppard highlighted their operational leadership, practical experience and unwavering commitment to removing barriers for families planning holidays. He emphasized that their work not only demonstrates the tangible benefits of accessible design but also sets a standard for others to follow.

Claire and Steve Welsh expressed their honor in accepting the role of Access Champions. They shared that their journey has always been about enabling families to enjoy the vital experience of taking a break together. They are excited to be part of the aha community and look forward to contributing to the wider industry, helping to make accessibility a standard practice within hospitality.

Their appointment reinforces the Accessible Hospitality Alliance’s continued focus on empowering individuals who actively lead accessibility initiatives within the sector. By prioritizing people over policy, aha ensures that accessibility remains at the forefront of the hospitality industry’s evolution.

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