South London woman with 4% vision takes on escape room challenge to celebrate National Puzzle Day

Amanda, who lost her sight in her forties, has never let her visual impairment define her, and with a love of puzzles, she was keen to do something different to mark the day, opting to take on the challenge of solving “The Betrayal of Cluetankhamun” – as an escape room adventure chosen specifically to fit with her upcoming holiday to Egypt.

With the dedicated support of Venelle, which provides Amanda with personalised home care and assistance when out the house, she has been able to reclaim her independence, resuming beloved activities like swimming, gardening and social outings, with the escape room experience her latest undertaking.

Located just minutes from her home, the Egyptian-themed escape room at ClueHQ in Kingston is designed to test problem-solving skills and teamwork. Though the experience is typically visual, adaptations – such as extra lighting and careful navigation support – helped ensure Amanda could fully engage in the challenge. And she enjoyed it so much, she also undertook a second escape room – the apocalyptic themed Bunker38.

“I never imagined I’d be tackling an escape room at this stage in my life,” said Amanda. “Losing my sight meant I thought I’d have to give up so many of the things I love. But with the support of Venelle, I’ve realised that doesn’t have to be the case. National Puzzle Day seemed like the perfect occasion to challenge myself – and what better way to get in the mood for my Egypt trip!”

Amanda, who once helped orchestrate high-profile advertising campaigns – including the famous Marmite “Love It or Hate It” ads – began receiving care from Venelle to help her maintain her lifestyle while navigating daily tasks with greater ease. With a holistic and personalised approach, Venelle goes beyond traditional care, ensuring that individuals like Amanda don’t just receive support but also continue to enjoy life to the fullest.

Louise Blezzard, Founder and CEO of Venelle, said: “Amanda is an inspiration. She proves that independence doesn’t end with disability – it simply requires the right support to thrive. Whether it’s assisting with daily tasks or enabling new experiences like today’s escape room challenge, our goal at Venelle is to empower every client to live life on their own terms. We’re delighted to celebrate National Puzzle Day with Amanda in such a memorable way!”

Venelle, a leader in bespoke luxury home care, champions independence through tailored care plans that support both practical needs and lifestyle ambitions. Amanda’s journey exemplifies how the right support system can remove barriers and open doors to new possibilities – even those locked behind an escape room challenge.

For more information about Venelle and its services, visit www.venellelife.co.uk or email [email protected].