We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Respitality over the past year. From businesses who have donated to our local delivery partners facilitating the breaks, and our ambassadors within the hospitality sector. We would not be able to do this without you all, so we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
 

As we begin to say goodbye to 2022, we are now making plans for Respitality in 2023. If you would like to choose Respitality to give back to local communities, please click below and donate what you can!

We are over the moon to welcome not just one, but two new organisations on board to join Respitality and connect unpaid carers in their area with short breaks!


 
The Western Isles Community Care Forum have begun to spread the word about adding Respitality to their short breaks catalogue, and have signed up their first donor, Red Pepper Self Catering. The Glasgow Carers Partnership are currently awaiting a new member of staff to join the team to start delivering Respitality in their local area.
 
Respitality is now available for unpaid carers to access in twenty two local authority areas. 

As the autumn and winter months set in, the tourism industry is busy with networking opportunities, which means the Respitality team are also busy!
 
We were lucky enough to be invited to exhibit and attend the British Holidays and Home Parks Association Annual Conference at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. This was the first in person tourism event our Respitality team has attended since 2019!
 
We had some great conversations with delegates to raise the profile of unpaid carers and how important short breaks are, as well as attending some informative and inspiring presentations, which included an amazing inspirational talk from Penny Mallory about mental toughness and ways we can build our resilience.
 

 
We were also special guests at the Hostelling Scotland 2022 AGM, held at their beautiful Glasgow Youth Hostel. The 91-year-young organisation showcased what they have managed to achieve over the past year, showing great resilience and positivity during what has been massively challenging times for the tourism sector.
 

 
We were honoured to provide a short presentation where we updated members in attendance on how Hostelling Scotland have supported Respitality over the past five years, and what it has meant to unpaid carers who have benefitted from the donation of overnight stays across thirteen of their brilliant hostels.
 

 

Scott from Perthshire is an unpaid carer for his mother who recently took a short break through Respitality.
 
“Before the break, I was feeling stressed and tired. My mother's mental health is still not great and I'm doing a lot for her. I had been feeling run down and I was worried about her and myself.”
 

 
Scott was able to access a short break through Respitality thanks to the facilitation of one of our fantastic delivery partners PKAVS Carers Hub, and one of our valued donors, Hostelling Scotland, who donated a two night stay in their beautiful Oban hostel.
 
“It was so good to take a break. Everything was perfect, and the staff at Oban Youth Hostel were just great too, as we could take our 2 dogs with us. This was a fantastic experience for me, my partner and my dogs. This was so needed as it's a struggle for me caring for Mum and working full time. Some self-care was so much appreciated.”
 
After the break, Scott told us he felt energised and less anxious as he enjoyed time out for him. It has motivated him to plan regular breaks for the future, as well as made him feel valued as an unpaid carer.
 
“Being by the sea was fantastic and so relaxing. The cooked breakfast was fantastic, and I slept so well, being away from home and not caring for my Mum. I would love to do this again.”
 


And Scott had a special message for the team at PKAVS who organised the break on his behalf...

 “The support I have received has been 100% amazing for me. PKAVS have been my saviours. Marie and Anne have been so kind and offered so much support and by offering me the chance to go on this break. Thank you both. You have saved me.…Thank you to PKAVS so much.”
 

Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers to receive Falkirk FC home tickets thanks to the Support Our Bairns initiative
 
Crieff Hydro Hotels renews support for unpaid carers through Respitality initiative

Below is some information about one of our fellow third sector organisation friends who are trying to support unpaid carers in the workforce.
 

Carer Positive is a Scottish Government initiative raising awareness about the growing number of people who juggle employment with caring responsibilities at home. Over 240 organisations are now recognised as ‘Carer Positive Employers’, demonstrating that they value and support employees who are carers.

Caring can impact people across the working age spectrum, but it hits a peak when employees have gained valuable skills and experience. When the stress and struggle of combining work with caring become too much, carers often feel forced to reduce their working hours or give up their jobs entirely - even if this means ending their career or losing their main source of income during this cost of living crisis.
 


We can help you create a supportive working environment for carers, benefitting both the health and wellbeing of staff and the business aims of employers. The scheme is fully funded and is free to participate in, including access to resources, sample policies, seminars and networking events.
 
Visit our website for more information and to download an application form. Our team is also on hand to answer questions and provide support, so get in touch if you would like to arrange a meeting or a call.

Calling on all young carers and young adult carers to take a survey about pressures of their caring role.
 
Do you provide unpaid care for a family member or friend? Are you 25 or younger? If yes, please take a Carers Trust survey to find out about the pressures and challenges facing young carers aged up to 25, and what support they need.


 
The findings of the survey will be published on Young Carers Action Day 2023 (March 15) and will help influence decision makers to give young carers and young adult carers the support they need.
 
Any unpaid carer up to and including the age of 25 can add their voice and fill out the survey! And please spread the word with your friends who are also young carers to make sure as many young people as possible take the survey.
 
The survey will run up to 3 January 2023. 

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