Member stories
Meet John & Vera – A Camplify story with heart
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When John Bradshaw first listed his campervan VERA on Camplify, he wasn’t just looking for extra income — he was looking for something positive during a very difficult time. His long-term partner had been facing ongoing health challenges, spending months in hospital, and life had taken on a quieter, heavier rhythm. Sitting on the drive was VERA, their trusty campervan, and John began to wonder if she might offer not just financial support, but a small way to feel hopeful and active again.
“I Googled campervan rental and Camplify came up,” he says. “After reading through the information, I thought — why not give this a go?”
Taking that first step and listing his van was a leap into the unknown. But when their first enquiry came through, the excitement was instant. “We were so excited,” John laughs, “we forgot what to do next — well, briefly!”
That booking marked the beginning of a new chapter. The process turned out to be far simpler than John had expected. With the help of the Camplify app and onboarding tools, each step felt manageable — even enjoyable. And as bookings started to come in, something else began to shift too. John and his partner found themselves connecting more — with new people, with the community, and with a sense of purpose that had started to fade.
“The whole experience helped us come out of our shells a bit,” he says. “We realised we could do this.”
John now considers himself an active owner — and it shows. From thoughtful welcome gifts to meeting guests early and taking time with the handover, he’s determined to give every hirer a personal, stress-free start to their adventure. “We leave extra items to make life easier for the travellers — and we’ve got every doggy gadget known to mankind,” he adds with a smile.
So far, John has reinvested some of his earnings back into VERA to keep her running smoothly, and the rest has gone towards bills — a financial help during a tough year. But the benefits have been more than just monetary. It’s the conversations, the sense of doing something meaningful, and the feeling that even in retirement, there’s still space for new beginnings.
As for the future? John is looking forward to many more bookings, great feedback, and connecting with fellow travellers. And one thing’s for sure — VERA isn’t just a campervan. She’s become a bridge to new experiences, new people, and a renewed sense of possibility.
“Retirement doesn’t mean retire,” John says. “It just means you finally get to decide what kind of journey you want to take next.”
The information in this blog is accurate and current as of the date of posting. Please be aware that information, facts, and links may become outdated over time.