Credit: Stand Up for Southport

The 60th anniversary of Revitalise, which operates the Sandpipers Centre in Southport, was celebrated at a special reception in Parliament.

Southport Member of Parliament, Damien Moore, hosted the charity’s volunteers, guests, and carers in the House of Commons for a special event to celebrate reaching their 60 years of serving the community.

Credit: Essex Live

A disabled man who is completely reliant on a team of carers has hit out at at funding cuts to a ‘magical’ respite centre in Harlow.

Neil Crouch, who is from Harlow, is supporting the campaign from leading UK charity Revitalise – that provides respite holidays for disabled people and their carers – as guests reach breaking point due to a lack of funding.

Credit: The Atkinson

“The Atkinson frequently welcomes visitors from Sandpipers and we are pleased to support the Revitalise ‘Give Me A Break’ campaign by lighting up pink. The Atkinson strives for inclusivity across our programmes and our building is fully accessible. We actively promote the enjoyment of arts, culture and heritage, where residents, visitors and communities can be entertained, develop inspiration, continue to learn and improve their wellbeing.”

Credit: Love Liverpool

Disabled people and their carers are reaching breaking point as they are unable to afford respite care, while increasing numbers of people head off on relaxing summer holidays.

Statistics show that the number of people going on foreign holidays this summer has risen compared to 2022, while in contrast, it has been more than a year since 41% of carers have had even a day off.

Credit: Liverpool Echo

A carer said she can feel isolated and alone after developing agoraphobia. “I can’t get out on my own I’m just too scared I feel frightened and overwhelmed.”

Grace Sutcliffe from Southport has been with her husband Andrew since 2009. The 33-year-old said that while Andrew helps to take care of her emotional needs the pair are more worried about the future than ever.

Credit: BBC North West

In August, BBC North West covered the #GiveMeABreak campaign where Revitalise Sandpipers welcomed Southport MP Damien Moore to speak to guests and carers about the respite crisis.

Damien Moore mentioned, “There is a serious need for disabled people and their carers to be able to access regular respite breaks – whether this is to alleviate the daily pressures faced by unpaid carers and the strain this can place on relationships, or to ensure that disabled people have the opportunity to enjoy holidays with friends in a setting specifically suited to their care needs.