Community forum: May round-up

It’s time for another instalment of our Community Forum round-up, and what a month it has been! With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee just around the corner, the United Kingdom is abuzz with the upcoming celebrations on the horizon - and that energy was most definitely felt on the forum! 

This month, we have a whole host of interesting topics and thought-provoking discussions for you to sink your teeth into. From house sitting adventures in the UK to forum member meet-ups, you’re in for a real treat this month! The name of British rock n roll royalty, David Bowie, even makes a surprising appearance! But to find out why, you'll need to read on...

So, without further ado, let’s crack on, shall we? Grab yourself a cuppa, settle down, and get ready for another exciting Community Forum round-up. Enjoy!

Topic of the month

This month, our sitters loved sharing their latest pet sitting adventures with us, so for a second month running, our trending topic, Who’s on a house sit and how’s it going?, takes the crown! 

@Kelownagurl kicked us off with their very first UK house sit since 2019. Just in time for Her Majesty’s Jubilee - splendid! 

“I’m pretty excited. We’re heading up to Chipping Campden today for our first UK sit since the fall of 2019. Can’t wait!”  —@Kelownagurl

There are so many beautiful locations to explore in the UK - Chipping Campden is just one of them, and with such a cute pet companion, we’re sure @Kelownagurl will have a blast. Make sure to have a cup of tea and a fruit scone on us, @Kelownagurl! 

Meanwhile, it appears that @CreatureCuddler — a very fitting username, given the circumstances! — left quite the impression on their latest pet sit…

“I left my sit on Wednesday morning after 2 weeks with the adorable River. Today I got a text from River’s dad that the doggo had spent Wednesday night sleeping down by my room because he missed me.”  — @CreatureCuddler

While member @Samox24 had a particularly cute tour guide to show them around the South Downs!

“This was our last day with the gorgeous Piggy, we have been exploring the South Downs National Park with her and she loves visiting the pubs along the way and meeting people, she loves cuddles!” — @Samox24

Hey @Samox24, if you ever need someone to step in for cuddle duty, you know where to find us! 

Category of the month

There’s nothing we like more than hearing our new members find success (well, maybe hearing that the office dogs are coming in TrustedHQ. But trust us - it’s super close). Lucky for us, this month our Introduce Yourself category was full to the brim of new sitter members celebrating their first sit! 

@Moybella joined the forum and not three weeks later, returned with the great news that they had already got their first house sit in the bag! 

“I’m happy to announce that I’ve got my first sit in the UK! Thanks to everybody for the tips and for welcoming me into the community.” 

Dreams do come true! Member @Beachmaiden was also busy sprinkling some positivity in our Introduce Yourself category this month: 

“Just wanted to say thank you to everyone participating in this forum. My husband and I are on our first sit with 6 more lined up. Amazing beginning! This forum has helped so much, answering so many questions that have guided us through this sit and more. My husband and I are having a wonderful time in this new adventure! Hope you all are too!” — @Beachmaiden

We’re positively bursting with pride!

Forum user of the month

Undoubtedly the trickiest part of every forum round-up! Alas, we must pick just one contributor, and this month must go to longstanding forum member, @Smiley.

Having been a member since September 2020, as part of our pre-launch forum testing team, @Smiley has helped to shape the forum into what it is today. Not to mention, their daily contributions, interesting anecdotes and helpful advice is simply next to none! 

Thank you @Smiley, for making us smile each and every day!

Quote of the month

It’s another appearance from @BeachMaiden for this month’s Quote of the month!

“We have just finished our first three sits. Wow! The changes I am seeing in me as I “broaden the borders of my tent.” The opportunities we are afforded through TrustedHousesitters have enriched my life and my thinking.” — @BeachMaiden

First three of many, we’re sure! 

Photos of the month

This month, our forum members were a busy bunch, and we were delighted to see so many forum member meet-ups up and down the country!

First up, @Smiley's met with fellow member, @CreatureComforts in Ludlow, England. 

"Met up with @Creaturecomforts today in Ludlow. Jill is house sitting in Leominster & I’m in Church Stretton so conveniently met half way. We talked and laughed non stop for 3 hours and Wookie enjoyed herself too, with a bus ride there and a train ride back." — @Smiley

And @Smiley didn’t stop there! Next up on @Smiley’s Forum Tour of the UK was Brighton, to meet none other than our very own forum mod, @Vanessa-Admin! 

"I finally met up with @Vanessa-Admin yesterday in a cafe in Brighton, before the start of the TrustedHousesitters conference she was attending. We had a great laugh and lots to talk about. Will look forward to meeting up again and hopefully Ian [Vanessa’s partner] too!” — @Smiley

Meanwhile, at the other end of the country our very own Community Manager, @Angela-CommunityManager welcomed two members from across the pond to her home in Scotland, for a touching reunion!

“Eileen and Brian from LA, California were in the UK visiting family and popped in for lunch with me, my husband John, and they even met my granddaughter, Grace! We’re lifelong friends, brought together by pet sitting and a little dog called Stella.” — @Angela-CommunityManager

What else have the community been discussing this month?

Travel Talk!

As the world makes a steady and long-awaited return to travel, it’s no wonder our Travel Talk category was busier than ever this month!

Member @PeterMac started a great topic where he revealed one of his top 5 favourite sits - in Lamma Island, during January 2020. And if (like us) you’re wondering where Lamma Island get its name from - you’re in luck! @PeterMac reveals that, too… 

There's a starman… in Beckenham!

Meanwhile, member @Amparo has been soaking up some British rock n roll history on their latest pet sit in London! 

“Oh geez, almost forgot… Beckenham is the town where David Bowie lived and there is a very nice memorial of him in a local pub where he performed. He wrote Major Tom there!“

If that isn’t a great slice of British history, we’re not sure what is!

*immediately searches for house sits in Beckenham*

The joy of local sits

And finally, in our Owner & Sitter Exchange category, our members were discussing the benefits of local sits. If you've ever wondered why our sitters might go on a local house sit, you're in luck! Find out more in this conversation kicked off by member @Snowbird, as our members share some their own local house sitting adventures! 

Have you joined the Forum yet?

And that's a wrap! We hope you've enjoyed this month's community round-up!

Now you've got the 411 on what's been happening this month in the forum, the only thing left to do is to join in on the conversation yourself! Ask for advice, share your own advice, or just chat all things travel, house sitting, pets and more. The members of our friendly Community Forum are waiting… see you there!