This Carers’ Week, we recognise and applaud the mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers, and sisters comprising the 4.7 million unpaid carers across England and Wales. Together, they embody a second NHS, providing indispensable care to their loved ones.
However, a recent survey unveiled a stark reality: 60% of family carers have not experienced a break in the past year, with over a quarter never having had one at all.
Today, we turn to you for support. Our aim is ambitious: to raise an additional £100k, facilitating 100 short breaks at our holiday centres for those who have endured over a year without respite. Sometimes, the mere promise of a few days’ rest is enough to give people the strength and hope needed to persevere.
I cannot put into words the difference a break makes. Time to recharge our batteries and have some time to ourselves has just been brilliant. — Lynn, mother of one of our guests
Your help is more crucial than ever. Drastic cuts to local authority funding endanger respite support—an obligation enshrined in the 2014 Care Act.
Last year, your generosity allowed us to provide just over £100k of hardship funding, affording 150 disabled individuals a much-needed break and granting their carers a moment’s respite.
Yet, an increasing number of individuals have sought hardship funding, depleting our Joan Brander hardship fund—a legacy established by our founder.
A contribution of £20 to this fund would help hard-working carers obtain the respite they rightfully deserve.
We won’t rest until carers—the unsung heroes of our society—are granted the respite they require and deserve.
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