This post is in collaboration with My Microgap, but all views and opinions are my own. If you want to learn more about my collaborations, you can do so here.
For anyone who hasn’t read my 1001 mentions, I am taking a post-graduate gap year at the moment. I never did any sort of gap year and went straight from education to more education, so I’m finally giving myself a bit of a break. I constantly get asked whether I’m going to use it to travel, or what I plan to do… The truth is that while I love travelling, the idea of super long haul 3 months+ long trips don’t really appeal to me. However, I didn’t know that there were other options… Enter My Microgap.
What is My Microgap?
Microgap, a (noun)
The best bits of a gap year in a few days. Right here in the UK.
As the definition states, My Microgap is a program run by Visit Britain in an attempt to give you the best parts of a gap year condensed into a small amount of time, without having to leave the UK. They have three different categories, each with a key theme: give back, switch off, and go wild. You pick a theme, look at the activities and locations, and are able to organise a small “gap year” experience right here in the UK.
My Microgap (as in, the one I took part in)
I was kindly invited to take part in one of the Give Back themed Microgaps. This one involved a trip to Margate for the day where we learnt various ways to give back to the environment and put a few of them into action.
The Journey
The day began with a train ride from London to Margate. I’m a big coach fan so hadn’t done a long train ride in a while, but turns out that Southeastern services are actually pretty smooth. An hour and a half was enough time to listen to some music, read my book and even have a snack or two. Plus, with all my long coach journies I forgot one big train benefit: there’s no traffic. Therefore, the journey is far more predictable. That hour and a half went by in a flash.
Beach Cleaning with Discovery Planet
On arriving in Margate, we encountered our first activity, run by the great people at Discovery Planet. Discovery Planet is an organisation that aims to bring accessible, educational and creative activities to the community, melding science with everyday life. On this particular occasion, they met us at Margate beach and briefly taught us about the various types of plastic, letting us know what is recyclable and what isn’t. After this, our knowledge was put into action as we donned high-vis jackets and partook in a beach clean, then emptied out our collective litter and figured out what could be recycled and what couldn’t.
Slow fashion with Peony Vintage and Zoe Murphy
Over the last few years, I feel like we’ve all learnt that fast fashion is not great for the environment and we should be making a difference any way that we can. However, as I’ve mentioned before, slow fashion isn’t always accessible, especially if you don’t know where to start. That’s why it was great to take a post-lunch visit to Peony Vintage. Owner Georgie talked us through the pieces in the store – which were all hand picked by her – as well as talking us through Margate’s relationship with vintage shops and slow fashion.
After a browse through her store, we were collected by the cute and bubbly Zoe Murphy, who took us down to her workshop. Here, she spoke about her own designs (Which are gorgeous, please check out her website) and her love for Vintage upcycling. We were then all met with the task of finding a piece of clothing (which she’d taken from Charity shops) and having a go at upcycling for ourselves. Working with a heat press was very fun and different for me, and I am now the proud owner of a monogrammed cardigan!
Why you should try My Microgap
I genuinely, regardless of this collaboration with them, think that this is such a good idea for everyone. Whether you never took a gap year but wish you did, took one but miss it, want to take one but don’t have the time, or simply just love exploring the UK, this is one for you. Typically, My Microgap stretch their trips to 3-4 days and having only done a day, I can already tell you that these are so worth it. I left the trip feeling so fulfilled and educated, plus I had a tonne of fun.
Would you consider participating in My Microgap? If so, which one appeals to you? Let me know in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
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This sounds like such a great idea. I didn’t take any kind of gap year and I regret it a lot. Although I do wish I’d done some sort of travelling, I love this idea for people who don’t like that idea or don’t have the money. It’s amazing that they have different themes to them too x
Sophie
Yeah, I love that they separate the themes! You should definitely check this out xx
I’ve never heard of a microgap, but I really like the idea of it. Great post! ♡♡
https://tiateilli.com
I hadn’t either, but they’re so cool! Thank you xxx
A break is honestly so so necessary after schooling but also semi terrifying because structure of days gets tossed out a window haha. Micrograp sounds so so cool, so all the adventure of a gap year but! in a few days instead! OHH I SAW THIS ON YOUR INSTAGRAM STORIES!! Me as it clicks when you mentioned giving back to the environment haha – an hour and a half journey seems like a great time to read (as long as the book isn’t a sad one!).
I do know that there are some plastics that are recyclable but that’s so awesome of Discovery Planet taking the initiative to bring science in everyday life to communities – especially love that once they give you the information about plastics you’re automatically sent to task to put what you just learned into action.
Zoe Murphy’s workshop sounds so interesting! Taking vintage clothes and making them have a new feel with heat press fun!
If they had Microgap in the US most definitely would have participated in a give back one!
Haha yeah, it was all over my Instagram stories! Xx
I’ve never heard of this, but it honestly sounds perfect for me and anyone else who’s thinking of having a mini gap year! Great recommendation, really enjoyed this read. 🙂
Soph – https://girlvsworldblog.com x
Yeah, I would strongly recommend! Thanks so much for reading xx
Love this little post and something I was considering doing myself. It’s always nice to give back to the environment but I never thought to add it to my trip itinerary!
Yeah, would strongly recommend if you wanna give back to the environment! Xx
I love, love, love, the sound of this! I never went to Uni or anything so didn’t experience a gap year but this is the ideal solution for those that want to go out and do something a bit different without the travel and expense! x
Honestly, it’s such a good idea, isn’t it?! Xx
I had no idea that a scheme like this existed! I think this is such a great idea for people who can’t travel overseas but still want a fun experience which won’t cost an arm and a leg either! I like the upcyling part of the day – sounds like such a fun, creative afternoon. Thanks so much for bringing this to attention, I definitely wish I had taken some time off, but hopefully this will help readers who are unsure about their next steps x
No problem, so glad I could introduce it to you! Xx
I’ve never heard of these before but it actually sounds like such a good idea! I definitely think going around different areas in Britain can be really fun but I wouldn’t know where to start so this is a great idea, I’d love to know what the relaxing one would be x
It’s the best idea! Would strongly recommend xx
This is such a good idea! I never took a gap year and by the time I finish uni I will have been in education for 7 years straight after high school.I definitely wish I did something but I could never have afforded to travel the world, this definitely fills a gap in the market.
I would definitely choose the switch off one as my brain is always going at a million miles an hour!
What a great experience! I’ve never had the opportunity for a gap year either, but I feel my time is already over. Even so, it’s awesome that they over a variety of themes to choose from.
Yeah, I love that there are different themes! xx
I really like the idea of this. I’m glad you had an opportunity to experience it.
First thing that came to my mind was “one day sounds too short” but now when you stated that it usually lasts 3-4 days, it makes more sense.
Yeah, the 3-4 days makes sense! xx
This sounds amazing – I want to do it!!!!
You definitely should if you can! xx
Oh wow what a fantastic idea! I wish I’d done a gap year so I should deffo check this out. X
Yeah you definitely should! xx
This sounds like so much fun!! I didn’t take a gap year, but I completed my studies abroad. I don’t regret not taking one, but I think it’s so good to take breaks. I love that you did something productive and took part in the Give Back program.
Thank you! I honestly really loved doing something productive xx
This sounds like a fantastic experience! I think it’s important to give yourself a break! Like you said you went from education to more education and how’s your time ?
Great post!
Ashleigh – ashleighsmoments.com
Thanks so much Ashleigh! xx
I’d never heard of My Micrograp before but it’s literally such a perfect idea, I wish I’d known about it after I graduated! I love how you can choose whether to do something exciting, something relaxing or give back to society in some way, I think I’d have been way too tempted to take the chilled out approach but the activities you did sound amazing! I would love to do a beach clean and I reckon I’d love the upcycling activity, I’ve always wanted to get into that.
Alice xx
It’s honestly such a good idea, isn’t it? The beach clean was so much fun! xx