Respite Association: Break for carers

• Carers
• Respite Care

Free Holidays for Carers

The self-catering breaks are offered 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) ONLY. Regrettably, we do not offer any form of short breaks so please only apply if you can take the full 7 nights (if offered).

THERE IS NO CHARGE for the breaks, although a refundable deposit of £50 is required at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the break. The deposit will be returned in full if no damage or additional cleaning is required. Regrettably, the breaks are for a week’s accommodation only and we are unable to fund ancillary costs such as food or transport to and from the holiday site(s) chosen on your application form.

Applications for our Carers breaks for 2025 are now OPEN.

You can request a break if:

• You care for a person who has a medical or mental health diagnoses
• You are a long term carer. Our Trustees normally consider this to be 1 year or more although exceptional circumstances are considered.
• You can confirm you are on benefits and/or can confirm you are on a limited income and could not otherwise afford a break without our support.
• You have not received support from The Respite Association in the previous 18 months (either through a grant or break under this scheme). However, if you had a break during the previous season you can apply to go on the next season’s cancellation list on the understanding that new applicants to the scheme will take precedence and that no suitable cancellations may occur. For further information see the FAQ’s on the drop down menu above.

If you are an organisation or would prefer to complete a paper copy of the form please either download the PDF form here (see leaflet section) and either post or email the form or email help@respiteassociation.org or telephone 01566 471022 (answerphone) to request a paper copy which will be posted out to you (please ensure you include your full postal address including post code in your message). Please note our Carers Breaks administrator only works two days per week so there may be a delay in responding to calls.

We operate on a first come, first served basis for carers breaks applications and whilst we do our best to provide everyone a break, demand always outstrips the availability (we only have 3 facilities). The more options you give on the form, regarding location and dates, the more likely it is that we will be able to offer you a week.

Your application will be acknowledged when we receive it but please note that, if you apply between October and December of any year, holidays will not begin to be allocated until January of the following year.

Joanna’s Cottage

‘Joanna’s Cottage’ is at Kenegie Manor Holiday Park in Penzance Cornwall. We named the cottage for our patron as she was instrumental in allowing us to purchase it, and it is a lovely quiet park on the hill overlooking Mounts Bay. Ideal if you have a car, there is so much to see and do nearby, it is no wonder that millions flock to Cornwall every year.

Lan y Mor Hafan

Our second location is a lovely caravan at Oakfield Caravan Park in Towyn, near Abergele in North Wales. Only 5 minutes from the beach and with an entertainment complex offering a host of family friendly venues including a sports bar offering kids clubs and activities organised by the entertainment team. The younger guests can also enjoy the amusement arcade and adventure playground.

Eilene’s Retreat

Our latest addition is at North Bay in Bridlington on the Yorkshire Coast. It is on a primarily owner/occupier park, so there are no onsite facilities (such as a restaurant/bar, shop or entertainment), but Bridlington is just a short walk or ride away and has lots to see and do.