Terms and Conditions

1. About these Terms

These Terms and Conditions apply to your use of vortexcentre.com and any related website, booking page or online service operated by The Vortex Centre for Wellbeing. They also apply when you enquire about, register for, book or attend an event, workshop, retreat, programme, membership or other service that refers to these Terms.

Some activities have additional terms because they involve particular risks or arrangements. The Rise Scotland Participation Terms and Safety Acknowledgement are an example. If event-specific terms conflict with these general Terms, the event-specific terms apply to that event.

Please read the relevant terms before booking. By completing a required acceptance box, submitting a booking or using a paid service after being shown these Terms, you agree to them. Simply visiting the public pages of the website does not make you a participant in an event.

2. Who we are

The Vortex Centre for Wellbeing is a trading name used by Jim McFadyen, who operates the business as a sole trader. It is not currently a limited company or a registered charity.

Our contact details are:

In these Terms, “Vortex”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Jim McFadyen trading as The Vortex Centre for Wellbeing. “You” and “your” mean the website user, customer, attendee or participant.

3. What we provide

We provide general wellbeing education and experiences that may include breathwork, meditation, relaxation, personal development, spiritual discussion, movement, heat or cold exposure, outdoor activity, community events, workshops, retreats and online content.

Unless we expressly state otherwise in writing, our services are not medical care, psychotherapy, counselling, addiction treatment, crisis support, diagnosis or a substitute for care from a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or other appropriately qualified professional.

Facilitators may hold training or certification relevant to the activities they lead, but that does not mean they are regulated medical professionals. We do not prescribe medication and you should not stop or change medication because of anything said at an event or in our content.

If you are in Scotland and in mental-health crisis, phone NHS 24 on 111. If there is an immediate risk to life, phone 999. Samaritans can be contacted free at any time on 116 123.

4. No guarantee of outcomes

People respond differently to wellbeing practices. We do not promise that an event or service will improve, cure or prevent any physical or mental-health condition, or produce any particular emotional, spiritual, personal or financial result.

Testimonials describe individual experiences. They are not guarantees that another person will have the same experience.

5. Eligibility and age

Each event or service page will state its minimum age and any specific participation requirements.

Rise Scotland is for people aged 18 or over. Other events may have different age requirements where these are clearly stated on the relevant event page.

We may request reasonable proof of age. We may refuse or stop participation where the applicable age or participation requirements have not been met, or where we reasonably believe continued participation creates a safety concern.

6. Accessibility and reasonable adjustments

We want our services to be accessible. Tell us about a disability, communication need, mobility issue, allergy or other reasonable adjustment as early as possible. We will consider reasonable changes to how a service is delivered, but we cannot promise that every outdoor location or activity will be suitable for every person.

An adjustment will not be made if it would fundamentally alter the activity or create a material safety risk that cannot reasonably be controlled. Where possible, we will offer a safer alternative, such as observing, joining a gentler exercise or omitting a particular activity.

7. Website information

We take reasonable care to keep website information accurate, but event details, availability, facilitators and schedules can change. Images may be illustrative. You should rely on the latest written confirmation sent for your booking.

General information on the website is provided for education and is not personalised medical, legal, financial or other professional advice. You are responsible for obtaining appropriate advice for your circumstances.

8. How bookings are made

Submitting a form is an offer to book. A booking is accepted when we send confirmation or otherwise expressly confirm it. We may decline a booking where a service is full, eligibility is not met, payment fails, information appears inaccurate, or we reasonably believe attendance may create an unmanageable safety or conduct risk.

You must provide complete and accurate information and keep it updated. A booking is personal unless we agree to a transfer in writing.

We will provide key booking information and the applicable terms in a form that you can save, normally by email or through your account. Keep that confirmation.

9. Prices, payments and voluntary contributions

Prices are shown in pounds sterling and include VAT where applicable. The total amount and any payment schedule will be shown before payment. We will not increase the price of a confirmed booking unless you request an additional service or the law requires a tax change.

Payment may be handled by a third-party payment provider. We do not normally receive or store complete card details.

The Vortex Centre for Wellbeing is not currently a registered charity. Any payment described as a donation or voluntary contribution supports our activities but is not eligible for Gift Aid unless we later confirm otherwise following formal charitable registration. A voluntary contribution is normally non-refundable, except where made in error, without authority or where the law requires a refund.

10. Free events

A free booking reserves a limited place. If you cannot attend, cancel as soon as possible so the place can be offered to someone else.

We may operate a waiting list, require reconfirmation or release a place if you do not respond by a stated deadline. Free attendance does not reduce our legal duties or your obligation to follow the event terms and safety instructions.

11. Paid fixed-date events, workshops and retreats

The booking page may set out an event-specific deposit, instalment, cancellation, transfer and refund schedule. That schedule forms part of your contract and takes priority over this section.

Services relating to leisure activities on a specific date or during a specific period may not carry the usual 14-day statutory cancellation right for distance contracts. We will tell you before purchase where we rely on that exception.

If no event-specific cancellation schedule was shown:

• cancellation received at least 14 clear days before the start date will receive a refund of the event price paid;
• cancellation received fewer than 14 clear days before the start date does not carry an automatic refund, but we will refund any amount that we do not reasonably need to retain to cover losses caused by the cancellation, taking account of costs saved and whether the place is resold;
• we may allow one transfer to another eligible person or date if requested in time and if our suppliers and safety arrangements allow it; and
• no refund is due for a no-show or for leaving early, unless the service was not provided with reasonable care and skill, was materially not as described, or the law otherwise requires one.

Cancellation charges will not exceed the amount paid and will not be used as a penalty. These terms do not affect your statutory consumer rights.

12. Online programmes, memberships and digital content

The checkout page will state the content, price, minimum term, renewal arrangements and cancellation method for an online programme or membership.

Where a statutory 14-day cancellation right applies to a service, you may cancel within that period. If you ask us to start providing the service during the cancellation period, we may charge a proportionate amount for what has been supplied before cancellation.

Where you buy digital content and ask for immediate access, we will obtain your express consent to supply it during the cancellation period and your acknowledgement that the cancellation right is lost once supply begins, where the law permits this.

You may not share login details, copy a course for others or make content publicly available. We may suspend access for material misuse, but will act fairly and tell you the reason where reasonably possible.

13. Changes, postponement and cancellation by us

We may make reasonable changes to timings, schedules, facilitators, activities or locations where needed for safety, weather, access, illness, supplier failure or circumstances outside our reasonable control.

If a change is material, we will tell booked participants as soon as reasonably possible and offer an appropriate option, which may be attendance on the changed basis, transfer, credit or refund. If we cancel a paid event and do not provide a reasonable replacement, we will refund the event price paid.

We are not responsible for travel, accommodation or other third-party costs you choose to incur, unless the loss was foreseeable and caused by our breach of contract or negligence and the law makes us responsible. Consider refundable travel and suitable insurance.

For outdoor or water based events, the organising team may change, shorten or cancel an activity at any time because of weather, water conditions or another practical or safety concern. The team’s decision about whether an organised activity proceeds is final.

14. Personal responsibility and participation

Some activities may involve physical or psychological stress and may not be suitable for everyone.

We do not conduct health screening, medical examinations or individual assessments of whether you are medically fit to participate.

You are responsible for deciding whether an activity is suitable for you. You should consider any medical condition, disability, injury, pregnancy, medication, recent illness and how you feel on the day.

If you are unsure whether an activity is suitable for you, seek advice from your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional before participating.

Participation is voluntary. You may observe, choose a gentler option or stop at any time. Do not participate while unwell or under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.

Follow reasonable instructions given by the facilitator or organising team. Stop immediately and tell a member of the team if you feel faint, confused, panicked, unusually breathless, numb, weak, in pain or otherwise unwell.

The organising team may adapt, refuse or stop someone’s participation where they reasonably believe this is necessary for safety. This is a practical safety decision and not a medical assessment.

15. Outdoor, breathwork, heat and cold activities

Additional participation terms may apply to particular events.

Risks may include dizziness, fainting, falls, emotional distress, burns, cold water shock, heart or breathing stress, hypothermia, waterborne illness, drowning, serious injury and death.

Never practise intentional hyperventilation, prolonged breath holding or any exercise that may cause light headedness while in water, close to water, driving, operating equipment or standing somewhere that a fall could cause injury.

If a Vortex led open water activity is offered, participation is entirely optional. Listen to the briefing, enter only when the group activity begins, remain close to the shore, do not jump, dive or swim away from the group, and leave immediately if you feel unwell or are asked to leave the water.

Natural open water conditions can change and the risks cannot be completely removed.

16. Event conduct

Treat staff, volunteers, other attendees, the public, the venue and the environment with respect. Harassment, intimidation, violence, sexual misconduct, unsafe behaviour, disruption, illegal drug use and deliberate damage are not permitted.

We may refuse admission or require a person to leave where reasonably necessary for safety, welfare, lawful venue requirements or serious misconduct. A person removed for their own material breach will not normally receive a refund. We will consider disability and reasonable adjustments before acting where relevant.

You are responsible for the reasonable cost of damage that you deliberately or recklessly cause.

17. Personal belongings and travel

Bring only suitable belongings and keep them secure. We are not responsible for loss, theft or damage that we could not reasonably have prevented. Do not leave valuables unattended.

You are responsible for travel, parking, clothing, medication and personal equipment unless the event information says otherwise. Do not drive after an activity if you remain dizzy, disoriented, extremely cold or otherwise unfit to drive.

18. Photography, filming and audio

Official photography or filming may take place at an event. We will provide advance notice and a reasonable way to request not to appear in identifiable official images, such as selecting the photography preference during registration or speaking to the organising team on the day.

We will take reasonable steps to respect these requests.

General crowd and event images may be used to document and promote The Vortex Centre’s activities where this is fair and lawful. This may include use on our website, social media, emails and future event materials.

We will seek clear permission before using a close up photograph, interview, testimonial or recording where someone is the main featured subject.

Refusing permission or requesting not to appear will not prevent attendance.

Because some events take place in shared public settings, we cannot control photographs or recordings taken independently by members of the public or other attendees.

Further information is provided in our Privacy Policy.

19. Intellectual property

Unless stated otherwise, the website, course materials, recordings, designs, text, graphics, logos, methods and other original content are owned by or licensed to us and are protected by intellectual property law.

We grant you a personal, limited, non-transferable right to use materials supplied to you for your own non-commercial wellbeing practice. You must not reproduce, sell, publish, teach from, adapt, record or commercially exploit protected material without written permission.

You may link to a public webpage in a fair and lawful way that does not imply endorsement. We may ask for a misleading or harmful link to be removed.

20. Content you provide

If you submit a review, testimonial, comment or other content for publication, you confirm that it is your own, accurate to the best of your knowledge, lawful and does not infringe another person’s rights.

Any permission to publish identifiable content will be explained when it is collected. We will not claim ownership of your personal story merely because you share it privately during an event.

21. Third-party services and links

Our website may link to venues, facilitators, payment providers, social networks or other third parties. Their services and privacy practices are governed by their own terms. A link does not mean that we guarantee everything a third party says or does.

Where a third party is our subcontractor, we remain responsible to the extent required by law and our contract with you.

22. Our responsibility to you

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill and in accordance with information about the service that the law makes binding.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or restricts liability for:

• death or personal injury caused by negligence;
• fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
• breach of statutory consumer rights;
• deliberate wrongdoing; or
• any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.

Subject to that protection, we are not responsible for:

• an inherent risk that remains after reasonable safety measures and that was clearly explained before voluntary participation;
• harm caused to the extent that it results from ignoring clear safety instructions, deliberately or recklessly acting unsafely, joining an activity after being told not to, or participating while impaired;
• loss that was not reasonably foreseeable when the contract was made;
• business loss suffered by a consumer, including lost profit or opportunity; or
• delay or failure caused by events outside our reasonable control, although the cancellation and refund provisions above still apply.

This section does not transfer our duty to organise and deliver activities with reasonable care. A risk acknowledgement is evidence of informed choice, not a waiver of liability that the law does not allow us to exclude.

23. Complaints

Raise a concern as soon as possible so we have a fair opportunity to address it. Contact info@team.vortexcentre.com with your name, booking details, what happened and the outcome you seek.

We aim to acknowledge a formal complaint within five working days and provide a substantive response within 20 working days. If more time is needed, we will explain why.

Nothing in this process prevents either party from seeking independent advice or using rights available under law.

24. Privacy

Our Privacy Policy explains how we use personal information, including booking and contact details, information voluntarily provided when requesting an accessibility adjustment, official photographs and marketing preferences.

Rise Scotland does not require health screening information or emergency contact information as part of registration.

If another event or service asks for sensitive health information, we will explain why it is needed and how it will be used before collecting it.

Optional marketing choices and permission to use someone as a featured subject in promotional media will not be bundled into acceptance of these Terms.

25. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms for future use. The version accepted when you book normally governs that booking. If a material change is genuinely required before an event, we will tell you and, where appropriate, allow you to cancel or decline the changed activity.

We will not treat silence as acceptance of a material retrospective change.

26. General legal provisions

If a court finds part of these Terms unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue. A delay in enforcing a right is not a waiver of that right.

No person other than you and us may enforce these Terms unless a provision expressly gives that person a right.

These Terms and any non-contractual obligations connected with them are governed by Scots law. The Scottish courts have jurisdiction. If you are a consumer living elsewhere, you keep any mandatory consumer protections and rights to bring proceedings available to you under applicable law.

27. Contact

Questions about these Terms should be sent to:

Last updated: 6 August 2026