The lyrics in Madonna’s 1980s hit Holiday – ‘Just one day out of life / It would be so nice’ – may not be the most profound, but will resonate with many of the UK’s 10.5 million unpaid carers, many of whom provide care all day, every day.
Carers UK, a charity whose annual surveys provide a stark insight into the lives of Britain’s unofficial carers, said in its 2021 State Of Caring report that 72 per cent of respondents had not taken a break during the pandemic.
While it might be convenient to blame Covid, this is a long-standing problem: in 2017, the charity reported that 25 per cent of respondents had not had a day off in five years.
Carefree arranges for vacant rooms in more than 130 hotels to be offered free to carers and a plus one (file photo)
It’s great news, then, that there is help available.
Carefree is a not-for-profit organisation that arranges for vacant rooms in more than 130 hotels to be offered free to carers and a plus one on a B&B basis for up to three nights, while cottages can be booked for between four and seven nights (carefreespace.org).
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Other charities have their own holiday accommodation.
After Umbrage provides up to four nights free in Kingham Cottage, Bath, to those caring for someone with a life-limiting illness or who have been bereaved for less than a year (afterumbrage.org.uk).
Several UK charities have their own holiday accommodation. The Respite Association has Joanna’s Cottage in Cornwall (pictured) and Lan y mor Hafan caravan in North Wales
After Umbrage offers stays in Kingham Cottage, Bath (pictured), to those caring for someone with a life-limiting illness or who have been bereaved for less than a year
A room at After Umbrage's Kingham Cottage
The Respite Association has Joanna’s Cottage in Cornwall and Lan y mor Hafan caravan in North Wales, both available for a week and sleeping four.
The charity can also fund holiday cover (respiteassociation.org).
Honeypot provides three-night stays to child carers aged five to 13 during school holidays and weekends.
It has two houses – in Hampshire and Mid Wales (honeypot.org.uk).