Connecting unpaid carers with generous businesses in leisure, tourism and hospitality, who provide vital short breaks from routine.

Being an unpaid carer can have positive and rewarding aspects, but it can also be isolating as well as physically and mentally demanding. 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 on their own with family and friends. 

Respitality provides a vital short break for unpaid carers in Scotland when they need it most. This is achieved by connecting carer organisations with hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses who are willing to donate a break free of charge.

Lanarkshire Carers has proudly supported the Respitality initiative since 2015, encouraging local and national businesses to donate short breaks for the benefit of the carers we support. Respitality is a national initiative, co-ordinated by Shared Care Scotland with support from the Scottish Government.

Carer organisations like Lanarkshire Carers help facilitate the breaks as we understand the needs of the carers we support. We carefully select breaks to make the greatest impact on each individual carer. All the hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses supporting the initiative see first-hand the benefits that their business brings to unpaid carers – whether that’s through the provision of tea and ice cream and a chance to catch up with friends, or through arranging accommodation and transportation for a weekend away with the person you care for.

Over the years, we have received a wide range of donations in the form of overnight stays in hotels and self-catering properties, afternoon teas, spa days, whisky distillery tours, days out to the zoo, and cinema and sporting tickets.

Feedback we have received from carers who have benefitted from a break through Respitality

"Thank you so much. And thanks to Lanarkshire Carers I am now booked in tomorrow night, and will be waking up on my 50th in New Lanark Mill Hotel. I'm so excited and can't explain how much I appreciate this kindness!” The carer then emailed the following – “I would like to thank you for the voucher which we used last week. We both had a fantastic time, and everything was fantastic. We both really appreciated the voucher as things are tight financially. Thank you!”

New Lanark Mill Hotel, Lanark

“I’ve just been for my complimentary treatment. It was absolutely amazing. I feel a huge benefit from having a gorgeous facial and wonderfully relaxing massage - it really is excellent. Thank you. It is hugely appreciated by me.”

Energise Therapies, Cambuslang

"Right now, I have been given the luxury from yourselves to stay in Strathaven Hotel for the night. I would love to come back here again. Everyone was so nice, and the room and bed were brilliant. To lie in a bed was brilliant. Thank you so, so much I can't thank you enough, this means so much to me just to get away and switching off. Thank you"

Strathaven Hotel, Strathaven

“I have just left the hotel in Troon that Lanarkshire Carers helped us to get, and I just had to call in to send on my thanks to you. It has done me the world of good, and was brilliant. I just had to tell you!"

Marine Hotel, Troon

“It was fantastic, the lodge was huge, and bigger than my house! They had a complimentary hamper on arrival, which contained all the essential foodstuffs. I was contacted on Sunday and offered the full complimentary Sunday roast dinner, which was extended to all the family and we didn't have to pay a penny. We were able to make full use of their sauna facilities, and the staff couldn't have done enough for us - they kept the pathway clear of ice/snow for the wheelchair. All in all, it was a fantastic break and just what the two of us needed, we are both high as kites and had a fantastic time. We would want to live there permanently!”

Duchally Resort, Auchterarder

If you are a carer living in Lanarkshire and would like to access Respitality

Please contact Lanarkshire Carers to have a conversation about ways we can support you to access a short break from your caring role, including Respitality. Our dedicated and knowledgeable staff will discuss your circumstances in more detail and can consider a range of options that best suit your needs.   

Contact Lanarkshire Carers

If you are a business considering donating to Respitality

Donors tell us that they find it fulfilling to contribute something to their local communities, and that their support of Respitality has boosted their reputation with their consumers. Another plus is the ease of donating to Respitality, and the flexibility of being able to offer breaks at a time that suits them, such as in the low season or last minute cancellations. 

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". 

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If you are a local business and would like more information on Respitality, please feel free to contact Lanarkshire Carers on 01698 428090 / 01236 755550.

To make a donation, please complete the Respitality Break Donation Form via the Respitality website:

Respitality Break Donation Form

You can also visit the national Respitality website for more information on the initiative:

www.respitality.org.uk