Strathaven Hotel helps to make carers’ days in Lanarkshire

The Strathaven Hotel in South Lanarkshire is helping to make a carer’s day through Scotland’s innovative Respitality initiative.

Respitality is coordinated nationally by the charity Shared Care Scotland with support from the Scottish Government and delivered locally by Lanarkshire Carers. It provides unpaid carers with short breaks from routine that are absolutely vital for their health and wellbeing.

Following a major refurbishment, the Strathaven Hotel is a welcoming retreat and is the perfect place for carers to take some much-needed time out from their caring role.

(Pictured: Hans and Lydia Rissman - the Strathaven Hotel)

Talking about their support for Respitality, Hans Rissmann owner of the Strathaven Hotel said:

“Respitality provides an energising and fun short break for unpaid carers when they need it most and it is the perfect charity for the Strathaven Hotel to support, as it is incredibly rewarding for us, and our staff, to see for ourselves the real difference that we can make to carers’ lives by helping them to take some much-needed time out.

The Respitality initiative is achieved by connecting carers’ organisations with hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses who are able to donate breaks; at no cost, bringing benefits to the carers and businesses alike.

We’d highly recommend supporting Respitality to any tourism or leisure business – no matter how big or small an experience they can contribute.”

Lanarkshire Carers who are facilitating the Respitality breaks added: “Through the information, advice and direct support that we provide to unpaid carers living in Lanarkshire, we know just how vital Respitality is to their health. The breaks that Respitality provides supports them to recharge and regain some of the energy they need to keep caring for those they love.

“We work with each individual carer to understand what break they would get the most benefit from, and what support they will need to take that break. We’re incredibly grateful to the Strathaven Hotel and all of our Respitality partners; they really do make a huge difference to carers’ lives.”

(Pictured: Hans and Lydia Rissman - the Strathaven Hotel &

Susan Smyth - Lanarkshire Carers)

Issuing an appeal for more Lanarkshire businesses to support the Respitality initiative, Don Williamson, Chief Executive of Shared Care Scotland said: “For a range of reasons, including financial pressures, care concerns and limited time, it is often difficult for carers to take the time out to fully recharge, or to spend quality time with family and friends. 

“Through our Respitality initiative, carer organisations and tourism and leisure businesses are helping to address this problem by literally making carers’ days. But we need more support to make sure we can make a difference to the lives of as many unpaid carers as possible.”

Businesses can donate to Respitality via www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/respitality/. This could be anything from tea and ice cream, afternoon tea, a beauty treatment, a pair of tickets or a game of bingo to a yoga retreat or accommodation so the carers can have a weekend away with the person they care for, or other friends and family.