The Respitality team haven’t let something like a global pandemic get in the way of delivering breaks to unpaid carers in Scotland! Scroll down to see the results of the hard work we put into 2020 to continue offering short break opportunities through the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.
We would like to take this opportunity to give our heartfelt thanks to all of our local delivery partners, business donors, ambassadors and the Carers Policy team at Scottish Government. Your continued support for Respitality Scotland has been fundamental in the success and growth of the project.
How many unpaid carers took a Respitality break?
In 2020, we were able to support 229 carers to access a short break from routine via Respitality. Companions joining the unpaid carer on the break ranged from family members, friends, the cared for person and support workers.
19% of carers accessed a virtual break this year.
This means that in five years,Respitality in Scotland has been able to help 3,169 unpaid carers receive a break from routine.
What types of Respitality breaks were taken?
Visitor attractions were the most common break to take in 2020, a difference in previous trends which has predominately been accommodation.
During 2020, we actively canvassed for virtual or socially distanced break opportunities. This resulted in donations offering cooking demonstrations, photography tutorials, whisky tasting, mindfulness sessions, fitness and nutrition and visitor attraction tours.
Carer testimonial – Tawia
Tawia from Perthshire took a break offered by Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. They hosted a virtual whisky tasting and cocktail making class for 20 carers around Scotland.
“This has been an absolutely brilliant distillery tour – and I’m in my bed! How is this possible? I finally understand the process of making whisky and what the different types of whisky are…I didn’t realise that there were five! Thank you so much for having me and for this history – my favourite part. So beautifully told. I definitely needed this today. I have been on a distillery tour before and I loved yours. I learnt more from your tour than the other by far about whisky and its history!
I really can’t thank you all enough. Gary and Alex were fantastic. They’re both wonderful orators. I was really captured by Gary’s storytelling. It was lovely. I couldn’t drink as I’m on medication but that didn’t stop me enjoying the gifts, learning the cocktails to make for friends and learning the history…oh the history! I’ve lived here all my life and I didn’t know the Dewar’s history. I’m hooked and why hasn’t anybody made a proper film about this? Truly epic.
Like I said, I enjoyed it from my bed. Today was…a day and your tour was the best tonic for it! I’m in such a great mood now. What a respite. It was fantastic and with the gifts, the knowledge, the teaching of making drinks, the quiz, the quality, I felt very privileged to be getting all of that from you and not paying for it. Virtual tours are wonderful for people who just feel like staying in bed or have mobility issues which mean they could never get to you but would love to go on a tour.”
Support from the hospitality, leisure & tourism sector
In 2020, Respitality received support from 80 businesses.
Breaks donated were estimated to be valued in total at £62,500.
This means that in five years, Respitality has received donations from 350 businesses, with 80% choosing to return and offer more donations.
Business testimonial – Homelands Trust-Fife
Homelands Trust-Fife have been strong supporters of the Respitality project for five years. Their support during Covid-19 was even more special at a time where accommodation breaks were scarce, and they were able to offer five breaks at a time where many unpaid carers were in serious need of a break. Kim O’Brien, Assistant Manager, tells us what it means to them to donate.
“Homelands Trust-Fife have, like many other accessible self-catering accommodation providers, have experienced unprecedented times during Covid-19 which has been reflected in booking patterns and cancellations well out with the norm. We have worked with Respitality over previous years and as a charity we are thankful for the support we receive, and it means a lot to us to be able to pay this back. Carers have faced much tougher times than they could have ever expect over recent months and we are sure will have needed a break more than ever before.
We have understandably received a number of last-minute cancellations but the silver lining has most certainly been the ease with which we have been able to communicate smoothly and timely with Respitality and set these otherwise unused breaks aside to offer carers a well needed break away. The portal system used by Respitality is very effective and within a matter of hours on occasions a name had been put forward to us but if not then by the end of play the following day. All that was required from us was a short e-mail giving the Respitality team the details of the break. The carers who have used these breaks have been so appreciative and thankful and we have felt that we have made a massive difference in their lives at a time when they need it the most. Respitality is such a worthwhile venture and we are proud to support it, not just during Covid-19 but on a long-term basis.”
Delivery partners
Respitality in Scotland operates as a social franchise, relying on local carer organisations to commit to becoming delivery partners of Respitality.
As of December 2020, Respitality was operating across 17 local authority areas in Scotland (53% coverage of Scotland), co-ordinated by 15 carer organisations.
To download the full report, please click on the image below.