We have crunched the numbers, and Respitality continues to go from strength to strength!

Respitality has been able to facilitate breaks for over 700 carers - this is very close to 2019 (and pre-Covid) figures. Access to Respitality for unpaid carers has increased by three local authority areas as we welcomed new local partners from Moray, Glasgow and Western Isles who are integral in making these breaks happen for the carers they support. And we also seen 54% of supporters in the tourism industry return in 2022 from previous years to donate once more to Respitality.

But the story of Respitality in 2022 doesn’t end there – we still have lots more to share with you through our End of Year report, which is being written up as we speak!


 

Laura and her husband are parent carers to their disabled son.

A seven night stay at the West Gallaton Farmhouse in Stonehaven was arranged at short notice by the Quarriers Aberdeenshire Carers Support Service, to suit dates that their son would be in respite care. This break suited the carers needs as they gained the relaxation from a rural area to explore, but it was close enough to home to travel back should an emergency situation arise.

Laura was particularly grateful for the break as their son who requires 24/7 care has recently transferred from child to adult services which has been stressful for the family. She particularly enjoyed spending time alone with her husband and got to enjoy a lunch out and go for walks which they can't usually do due to their sons’ disabilities.

Laura stated that the break from appointments and phone calls and not having to get up through the night was particularly welcome as "a broken parent carer is an exhausted one" which could lead to "more expense through the costs of emergency staff".

Did you know that Respitality is a unique model to deliver carer breaks, and that other countries are keen to learn from our work? That is why we have entered into a collaboration with Professor Lynn Minnaert at Edinburgh Napier University, who will be researching Respitality's processes and impact in Scotland. And we are looking for some willing participants! 

The aim of the study is to celebrate successes, take learning of how we could adapt and share our findings with other organisations and communities across the world.



To help provide a full and honest picture, Lynn is keen to host 30 minute conversations with unpaid carers that have taken a Respitality break and from donors in the tourism industry who provide the breaks. These can be in person, over Teams or by telephone.

If you are interested in taking part and to receive a FAQ sheet with full details of the study, please click the button below.
 

To provide the offering of a Respitality break for unpaid carers, we work in partnership with local trusted partners who can match carers to break available, as well as build relationships with their local tourism community. 



We are therefore delighted to announced that Respitality is now on offer for unpaid carers in the Scottish Highlands, as we warmly welcome our newest local delivery partner Connecting Carers! The team have an exciting time ahead, as Respitality will be a part of their upcoming Short Breaks Bureau, which will comprise of virtual, digital and person centred resources to generate a wide range of short break information. 
 

The Respitality team are exhibiting at this year’s ScotHot event in a few weeks time! Held over two days, ScotHot is Scotland’s biggest food, drink, hospitality and tourism trade show. As well as exhibiting, we will also be taking part in a Spotlight Stage panel focusing on the support and care element within the tourism industry.



If you are also attending, please come along and say hello (we are Stand 651). We will also be posting updates on our social media channels, so remember to follow us!
 

Ellon business helps make carer’s day
 
Hebridean Housing Partnership to donate £1,000 to Respitality partner Western Isles Community Care Forum
 
‘Nobody told us we could get help’: Unpaid Aberdeenshire carer spent 20 years looking after husband on her own

Pilot program offering more respite opportunities launches in Windsor (Canada)

Tell us what your role at Dewars Aberfeldy Distillery entails.

I am the Experiential Team Leader for the visitor centre at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. I look after all our tour experiences and also our onsite/offsite events. I look after some of our tour team and help them give our visitors the best 5 star experience when they visit us.

How has Dewars Aberfelfdy Distillery supported Respitality?

We offer complimentary tours followed by lunch in our café for unpaid carers. These are offered all year round and we just ask for a minimum of 24 hours notice for bookings, pending availability. During lockdown we also organised a virtual distillery experience for around 20 unpaid carers and sent whisky cocktail kits to their homes in advance of the session. 



What about engaging with Respitality makes the experience so special for you?

At Aberfeldy we love making ‘moments that matter’ for our visitors, and hearing the feedback from guests that have enjoyed their visit to us make it all worth while. This can be a simple gesture of offering to take a photo of a couple that are on holiday, or an extra dram on your birthday – small gestures from us that can mean the world to some of our visitors.

What is your idea of a perfect short break?

I’m a total foodie when it comes to short breaks. My fiancé and I always plan our trips away around what restaurants and bars we can visit when we’re there. It could be in the wild and windy Scottish countryside, or on a hot and sunny beach somewhere as long as there is good food and drink!
 

Our organisation are expanding, and are on the look out for someone to become our Head of Operations. Closing date is Monday 5th March. 

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