Finding the right support for a holiday as a carer can make all the difference in your well-being. Numerous organisations are dedicated to helping carers have a holiday for carers both accessible and affordable. Some are as a family and some are just for carers to enjoy.
Carers Trust local carer centres will be able to give you information and there are a select number of grants for holidays available.
The Family Fund can provide grants towards the cost of holidays for families on a low income who are caring for a child with a severe disability.
The Home Farm Trust (Hft) produces an annual Holiday Information Guide for people with learning disabilities, carers, organisations and support groups.
The Family Holiday Association provides breaks at holiday sites, or grants to help with the cost of a holiday, to low-income families in need of a holiday away from home. You need to be referred by your social worker, GP or health visitor, or by a charity or other welfare agent.
Honeypot offers countryside respite breaks for young carers.
The Kiloran Trust has a house in west London for carers to stay in with the person they care for.
Over The Wall is a charity that supports children with serious illnesses, and their siblings and parents. It runs fun activity camps in Wiltshire, Dorset, Staffordshire and Scotland for siblings and weekend camps for the whole family unit.
Revitalise provides respite holidays for disabled people and carers.
After Umbrage is a charity providing free, short breaks for anyone who has been caring for someone with a life limiting condition. It also offers breaks to carers within their first 12 months of bereavement.
Little Miracles provide caravan holidays for carers. The six berth caravan (two bedrooms and a pull-out sofa) is accessible with ramps, wide entranceways, an accessible toilet and shower (wet room). The caravan is fully furnished so you can relax in the knowledge that all of your family's needs will be catered for.
Carefree has hundreds of hotels nationwide which donate rooms out of their excess capacity. Through Carefree you can access a 1-2 night hotel stay with a companion, at a time and place that works for you. You just pay a £33 admin fee per break.
The Respite Association provides free self-catering breaks to Carers without the person they normally care for so that they may have a proper break from their usual caring routine. All breaks are for 7 nights (Saturday to Saturday). Parents pay a refundable £50 security deposit.
Sebastian’s Action Trust runs The Bluebells. The Bluebells is the UK’s only purpose built facility, offering accessible breaks exclusively to the families of seriously-ill children. They have two large apartments which can comfortably accommodate a maximum of 8 people and has a wide range of on-site facilities. There is a hydrotherapy pool, music room, sensory room, arts and crafts space, a cinema room, and extensive grounds which include an accessible play area. They are situated in the Basingstoke area.
KIDS have a holiday home to give children, young people, and their families a well-deserved break, all together. Nestled just outside the charming village of Broadway in the Cotswolds. The two-bedroom caravan is a modern, fully accessible gem that’s both spacious and cosy. It sleeps up to six people comfortably.
The Family Holiday Charity offer a wide range of holidays, including self-catered caravans, lodges, and cottages across the UK. Usually, our funded holidays cover the cost of self-catered accommodation for up to 4 nights, with a contribution towards travel and food costs while on holiday. These holidays are for families on a low income who might not otherwise be able to have a holiday.
Over the Wall offer family and residential camps in Derbyshire for children with medical needs between 8-17. They have medical staff on site at all times to ensure all medical needs are catered for. They also run residential camps for siblings of children with medical needs.
Avon Tyrell SEND weekends can meet the needs of a diverse range of young people with varying complex learning needs including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties and challenging behaviours. There team of highly skilled instructors are fully trained and on hand to help your child throughout your stay so you can relax or join in with the activities on offer.
Sunny Days Children's Fund have two static caravans at the Haven Orchards Holiday Village in Essex. The park has many facilities for families including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, club houses, arcades and many sports activities. Families with a child with a disability can be referred by a professional to the charity to stay in one of these caravans.
