This Giving Tuesday, give carers a helping hand at Christmas

Give carers a helping hand this Christmas

For many of us, the festive season is a time for giving and sharing, which is why we’re inviting you to celebrate Giving Tuesday. I’d like to take a moment to share with your readers how in choosing to give to our charity, Revitalise, you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of the disabled people and carers that we support.

As a charity we know that however tricky this past year has been, life is about spending time with the people we love, and everyday life can so easily get in the way of that. Hilary has cared for her son Shaun since he had an accident on holiday in Ibiza, aged 19. Caring is simply something she does for the person she loves. As she explains:

“For the last 15 years I’ve been caring for Shaun but I definitely wouldn’t call myself a carer, it’s just something I do as his mum.

I’m never, ever, going to give up on my son. Life is too short you know; you need to keep fighting.”

On top of the difficulties this year has presented, disabled people and the elderly have also been left with far less support than usual, as the Emergency Coronavirus Act allowed Local Authorities to axe their duty of care responsibilities. Feeling vulnerable and abandoned, many carers are close to breaking point.
This is why we have launched our campaign, Care For Carers and the fundraiser Raise a Million, aiming to raise £1 million to support carers and their loved ones to access respite care breaks following lockdown.

We have provided respite care breaks – a vital lifeline to so many unpaid home carers and their disabled loved ones – for over 57 years. So, in celebration of Giving Tuesday this month, why not pledge to give something special to our charity this festive season?

I am so proud to work for Revitalise as we amplify the voice of carers, and will continue to do so until carers stories are heard. Please support our campaign if you can, and help us spread the word about the struggles carers are facing right now.

To find out more about Revitalise, our breaks, or the ways that we may be able to support guests, please visit: www.revitalise.org.uk or call: 0303 303 0145.