Frequently asked questions for the Carers’ Break Scheme

I would like to choose a specific week at a specific park, how do I do this?

The way the scheme works is that you are asked to complete an application form. As part of your application you are asked to indicate which of the seasonal weeks you would like to apply for and at which park. Weeks are then allocated on a first come, first served, basis following Trustee approval. If you are offered a break, we will allocate one of the weeks you have selected, but cannot guarantee which one and we cannot ‘save’ specific weeks for Carers.

Do I choose just one week on the application form?

No. Please choose ALL of the weeks you would like to apply for, not just one week. The more weeks you choose the greater your chance of being awarded a week if your application is accepted. If you can be flexible on parks please indicate which is your first, second and third choice. If you choose just one week at one park it is highly unlikely we will be able to accommodate your request and your application may be declined. Important note: please only select weeks that you know you can do at the time of application as, whilst we appreciate that circumstances can change, there is no guarantee that we can offer you an alternative if we offer you one of your chosen weeks and you then decline it for any reason. Please be especially careful in selecting your requested weeks if you have listed children of school age in your application, as we have had a spate of applications recently where the applicant has ticked weeks outside of the school holidays and then declined the break offered because they can’t take their children out of school. If listing school-age children on your application, please only select weeks outside of the school holidays if you know you can definitely take that week. Regrettably, due to the administrative time it takes to offer, and reoffer declined breaks, we reserve the right to not offer an alternative break to any carer with school-age children who applies for a break outside of the school holidays and then declines it on this basis in the future.

When will I know if I have been awarded a break or not?

If you apply prior to 31st December in any year, please be advised that, while your form will be acknowledged, you will not receive notification of the outcome until the following January. If you apply from January 1st onwards then the application process usually takes at least 3 weeks (longer if we have to request additional information). Unless you have not received a receipt for your application and wish to check that it has been safely received OR if you have been waiting for longer than 3 weeks during the main season, please do not
contact us to ask how your holiday application is progressing as we are a small charity with limited resources.

I’m applying part way through the season can you please tell me what weeks you have got left?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide this information as this position changes on an almost daily basis. It is likely to cause disappointment if we tell you a certain week is available but, by the time you have applied and your application has been approved (the approval process takes up to 3 weeks) that week could have already been awarded. Please just apply as soon as you can, highlighting as many weeks as you can and selecting as many locations as you can to increase your chances of receiving a holiday award.

Can I take the person being cared for with me?

Unfortunately not. This is clearly stated on our application form as it is against our rules and registration with the Charity Commission. Our aim is to provide a complete break from your caring role, which cannot be achieved if the person being cared for goes on holiday with you. We do understand that there may be situations where the person being cared for will not accept an alternative carer, or you may wish to holiday with the person being cared for, which is why we work with other Charities such as Revitalise who do offer this facility. However, it is not something we can provide in our own accommodation. If you are interested in staying at Revitalise please visit their website https://revitalise.org.uk/

Who can go with me on the break?

Our accommodation is for a MAXIMUM of 2 adults and 2 children. This figure includes, and is not in addition to, the applicant. Any children MUST be over the age of 3 at the time of the stay to comply with the requirements of our insurance. Unfortunately, no children under the age of 3 can be permitted.

I have received a previous grant or break with The Respite Association, can I apply again?

Up until very recently, our Trustee Board requested that there be a gap of at least 18 months between awards. However, they have now agreed that any carer who was awarded a break in the current year can apply to go on to the following year’s short-notice cancellation list. This is to avoid any facility standing empty if it cannot otherwise be filled, but is on the strict understanding that no break can be guaranteed if no suitable cancellation may occur. If this applies to you, and you are happy to apply on this basis, please clearly write ‘cancellation list’ on your application form.

I sent in my application but you have asked me for additional information. Why is this?

The main reason we ask for additional information is that the form you have submitted is incomplete in some way. Our request for additional information will specify the information that is lacking, but to avoid a delay in your application being processed, please ensure that you have completed ALL of the boxes on the form as fully as possible and signed and dated it. If any box is incomplete or blank this will hold up your application and may mean that a holiday cannot be awarded. Common application errors include but are not limited to:

• Not completing your name, full address and contact details.
• Not providing a diagnosis for the person being cared for (this is mandatory information).
• Incomplete details of what care you provide and why. Please include practical examples to help us understand what you do for the person being cared for on a daily basis.
• Lack of confirmation that you meet our criteria (e.g. you are on benefits, on a low income or could not otherwise afford to go on a break). (This is mandatory information and your application cannot be considered without it).

You have said that I am on the cancellation list but I have not heard anything further?

If your application is approved, and you have indicated that you would be willing to accept a short notice cancellation break if all accommodation has been awarded for the season (or you are a re-applicant from the previous year), then you will be placed on the cancellation list. Unfortunately, due to the very high demand for the scheme, we will only contact you if a suitable cancellation break becomes available that meets your needs.  Being placed on the cancellation list does not mean that a break will definitely be awarded. Please bear in mind that we will check the weeks you have indicated that you can do when determining who to contact about any cancellation that has arisen. If you have not indicated that you can take the cancellation week available, we will go to the next person on the list who has indicated they can take the week at that site. 

You have offered me a cancellation break, but I can’t take it. Does this mean nothing else will be offered to me now?

Not at all. If a suitable break (based on the information and choices you have provided) is offered and you cannot take it for any reason, you will just go back on the waiting list until (or if) another cancellation occurs.

Is there any additional funding available for travel and ancillary expenses?

Unfortunately not. Accommodation is provided on a self catering basis, but travel to and from site and all other costs will need to be covered by your own funds. If this will be a challenge for you then please talk to us.

Is the accommodation accessible for a person with a disability?

As the accommodation is intended for the carer, rather than the cared for, our accommodation is not adapted in any way. For the benefit of the less mobile, our current sites have an adjacent parking space, but there is stepped access to all of them (3 steps in each case) that would need to be negotiated. The internal accommodation is level access and there are no grab bars, etc., installed.

What happens if I am accepted for a break? What will I have to do?

If you are accepted for a break you will be notified either by email or letter. Email is our preferred form of contact as it cuts down on administration costs, so please ensure you add us as a safe sender to avoid missing an email from us. You will be provided with a carers’ break acceptance form outlining which week you have been offered and at which park. You will also be provided with the terms and conditions of the break. If you accept the break as offered, you will need to sign the acceptance form and have it countersigned by a person of standing in the community who is aware of your situation. You will then need to return the form to us along with a refundable deposit of £50*. Once we have this your break is confirmed and you will receive a holiday pack at least two weeks prior to your departure date. *Please note the £50 deposit is only payable 8 weeks before departure so it does not have to be paid immediately if the holiday is awarded sooner than this.

Can I take my pet on the break?

Sorry, but we do not allow pets of any kind in our accommodation.

If you have any other questions not listed above, please email or call

Please DO NOT contact us on the holidays emergency mobile number for 2023 scheme enquiries.