Similarly for me - injured birds taken across Brighton to Roger Musselle's Wildlife Rescue, mice and lizards saved and relocated to a mini haven created in our back garden.
I've only ever seen one (alive), in our back garden a couple of years ago when it triggered a security light. A magnificent creature. They're very active in our block, with holes dug under fences, but very shy.
I've only ever seen one before, at a client's in Ashdown Forest, a couple of years ago. It was October and he was slowly heading into a giant pile of leaves in a woodstore to hibernate.
On a bike ride around the Dyke just then, I came across a magnificent Adder slowly crossing the road, as cars approached. I managed to cajole it back into long grass. (Virtue signalling), but I love doing little deeds like that, we share the planet.