This Carers Week (8th to 14th June 2026), we are celebrating the vital contribution of unpaid carers while continuing our year-round work to ensure carers are identified, informed, supported and heard.

The theme of this year’s Carers Week is Building Carer Friendly Communities, which sits at the heart of everything we do. We achieve this by raising awareness, connecting carers to support, enabling them to share their experiences, and working with services to ensure carers are recognised and supported.

Carers Week activities

 During Carers Week, we are offering a range of activities for family and friend carers across Hertfordshire, both online and in person. These include:

• Our Annual Carers Event, providing information about local support services and workshops.
• An online cooking workshop.
• A sewing activity at our Hemel Hempstead Hub.
• Meetings for our Watford and Berkhamsted Hubs and online groups (morning, evening and a reading group, which is discussing Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto).
• An online barre ballet session.
• A discussion event in St Albans for dementia carers focusing on the first year after diagnosis.

Full details of our activities, along with those organised nationally by Carers UK, are available on our Carers Week page.

Supporting carers now and into the future

Over 46,000 current and former carers are registered with us, up from 45,500 last year, and we continue to develop services to meet growing demand.

We are also launching a new monthly online support group for people caring for someone with dementia, starting on Friday 3rd July 2026 (1.30pm to 2.30pm). This will provide a regular space for carers to connect, share experiences and access advice.

Looking ahead, we are beginning work on our next business plan for April 2027, setting out future priorities to strengthen support for carers across the county and beyond.

We are also proud to continue celebrating our 30th anniversary year until September 2026, marking three decades of supporting carers and building stronger communities.

Chief Executive Michèle Stokes said: “Anyone providing unpaid care to a partner, relative or friend does an amazing job. We want to make sure they recognise themselves as carers and can access the support they need and are entitled to. Without help, carers can face financial hardship, health challenges and emotional stress. By working together, we can build communities that recognise and support carers.”

To get in touch, email contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.

This Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June 2026) we want to thank our wonderful volunteers. Your help helps us provide information and support services to unpaid carers looking after a partner, relative or friend. We will always welcome more volunteers, so if you have some time to spare either regularly or occasionally, please get in touch with our Volunteer Team.

Julie Hayes, our Hubs and Volunteer Co-ordinator, said: “Our incredible volunteers – many with caring experience of their own – bring warmth, dedication and understanding to everything they do. Together, they help ensure carers across Hertfordshire feel recognised, informed, supported and heard.”

For Volunteers’ Week we are celebrating and thanking our volunteers with a get together for them on Monday 1st June and we will host some volunteer recruitment events.

Our Volunteering Information and Recruitment Events – Find out about volunteering with us and the roles we have at two events:
Tuesday 2nd June 2026, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, in our office in Hertford.
Wednesday 3rd June 2026, 6pm to 7pm, online.

Volunteer with us

If you don’t already volunteer with us but would like to, we would love to hear from you. There are a variety of flexible roles available, some you can do from home, such as telephone bereavement support or Keep in Touch calls, and others in your local community, including mentoring or helping at one of our Hub groups. We are looking for Hub Leaders or joint leaders for our carers’ groups in Berkhamsted, Borehamwood, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City.

Everyone has their own reason for volunteering and their own story about what they gain from it. Stuart, who has volunteered since August 2025 making wellbeing calls to carers, said: “Taking the time to listen and support carers is rewarding. I cared for my parents and volunteer to help others feel less alone.”

Rosemary, a volunteer since 2018 who supports carers as a mentor, provides bereavement support and co-runs a group in Ware, shared:
“Volunteering is fulfilling and enjoyable, and a great way to build your skills. For me, the most meaningful part is hearing how the support I’ve given has made a real difference.”

If you are interested in volunteering with us or attending a recruitment event, please email volunteer@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69. You can also visit our volunteer pages to learn more.

It is Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday 11th March 2026, a good time to remind carers of all ages in Hertfordshire – including young carers and young adult carers, that we are here for you, to ensure you are identified, supported and heard.

This year’s theme, Fair Futures for Young Carers, focuses on making sure young carers have the same chances to learn, grow and thrive as other young people. We support this by prioritising what young carers tell us matters most to them:
• Building a sense of community.
• Having a break from caring.
• Having a voice in shaping the services they use; and
• Access to wellbeing information and support.

The support we offer is changing from April 2026, as Hertfordshire County Council will handle young carer identification and assessments. This move is in line with a Government programme to transform childrens’ social care in England. There is some information about this at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/youngcarers

We will continue to focus on:
• Providing activities during the school holidays to give young carers a much-needed break from their caring role and opportunities to boost their skills or confidence.
• Sharing wellbeing and self-care advice online.
• Having opportunities for young carers to be heard. So they can help shape improved health and other services that they or the people they look after use; and
• Offering the Carers’ Passport, giving them savings and benefits at a range of local businesses.

We will continue to work with Hertfordshire County Council and other organisations to ensure young carers receive the support they need.

Please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for upcoming events for young carers and booking details.

For adult carers aged 18 and over, we have upcoming workshops such as breathing to relieve stress, making memory books and chair yoga. Learn more on our events page.

We’re here to support you!
If you’d like to talk about how we can support you in your caring role, please contact us on 01992 58 69 69.

We need your nominations in the Movement for Good Awards as the more votes we receive the greater the chances of getting a £1,000 donation towards our work identifying and supporting unpaid carers.

The Awards is an annual programme of giving by the Benefact Group, an independent, specialist financial services group.

It is easy to nominate us, all have to do is visit https://movementforgood.com/ click on the nominate a charity button and then put Carers in Hertfordshire into the search bar and select us. Then fill in your contact details.

There are three draw periods in 2026 : 23rd to 27th March, 7th to 11th September and 1st to 16th December. You have until 11.59pm the day before a draw to enter us for the next draw.

We’d appreciate your vote and ask if you can to spread the word so others can nominate us, so as to improve our chances of securing a donation.

Two dedicated members of staff at Carers in Hertfordshire took the plunge and completed a sponsored swim to raise funds for the charity’s work supporting unpaid family and friend carers.

Jane Christou, from our Administration Team, and Julie Hayes, our Hub and Volunteer Co-ordinator, completed the swimathon challenge on Friday 5th December 2025 at John Warner Sports Centre, in Hoddesdon. The Centre kindly provided two lanes for free.

They beat their goal of swimming at least 64.4 lengths (one mile) in an hour – and completed 70 lengths in 50 minutes.

The pair, who hadn’t done a sponsored swim before, have raised over £1,000 but would still welcome sponsorship. Whether it is 10p, 50p, or £1 per length, or a set amount, every donation will make a real difference for carers.

You can donate online until 19th December 2025 at https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/jjswim or contact us.

Jane, who has worked for Carers in Hertfordshire for five years, came up with the idea to do the fundraiser. She said: “The swimathon was a great way to challenge ourselves and make a positive difference to carers’ lives. We would like to thank everyone who cheered us on and sponsored us.”

Julie, who has worked at the charity for 11 years, said: “We were delighted with how the event went and that we exceeded our fundraising target. Swimming is something we both enjoy, so turning it into a challenge and supporting Carers in Hertfordshire during its 30th anniversary year, felt like the perfect fit.”

The duo, who usually swim two or three times a week at the pool, said: “Through working at the charity and being carers ourselves, and benefited from the information and support available, we know what a positive difference access to the right support and advice can make for carers. There is still time to make a donation, which will help make sure carers do not feel isolated.”

If you have a caring role and want to find out how we can support you or you want to make a donation, or sponsor Julie and Jane’s fundraiser, you can email us at contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.

It’s important people who provide unpaid care or support to someone close to them due to illness, a disability, addiction or other, know their rights, wherever they are in their caring journey. This Carers Rights Day (Thursday 20th November 2025) and beyond, we want to help raise awareness about how we at Carers in Hertfordshire and other services are there to ensure carers are identified, informed, supported and heard.

This year’s theme is ‘Know your Rights, Use your Rights’ as knowing about the support you are entitled to when you have caring responsibilities can help you feel confident to ask for what you need and challenge things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace or education, in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home.

One way we support carers is by organising workshops and events to enable you to meet other carers and have a break from caring, to pick up tips to help you in your caring role, or talk to people from organisations that pay for, or provide, health and community services.

This Carers Rights Day we are holding:
• A drop-in Information Event for Carers taking place in Stevenage (Stevenage Footaball Club) 10am to 2.30pm. Join us to learn about your rights, discover support resources in Hertfordshire, speak with representatives from organisations including ours, advocacy agency POhWER, Citizens Advice and more! Find out more or book onto a session via this link – Carers Rights Day Information Event.
• Online Employment Rights Workshop, 2pm to 3pm. A legal expert will discuss employment law that can benefit people juggling work with a caring role, such as Unpaid Carer’s Leave and Flexible Working. Sign up to this event at Employment Rights session.
• Our Harpenden Carers Support Hub has its meeting on Thursday 20th November 2025, 11.30am to 1pm at The Harpenden Trust, 130a Southdown Road, Harpenden. There is no speaker this month, so more time to chat with other carers. Book your place at Harpenden Hub.

If you are in Hertfordshire and provide unpaid care to someone or you live elsewhere and look after someone in the county, we are here for you. Contact us to find out how we can help you – email contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.

National charity Carers UK, which co-ordinates Carers Rights Day, has some useful information related to a range of carers’ rights. Visit www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/guides-and-tools/looking-after-someone-guide/ or get in touch by emailing advice@carersuk.org or calling 0808 808 7777 (9am – 6pm Monday to Friday).

The NHS is urging people to have their free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as possible, if they are eligible for them, particularly those with long-term health conditions, and their family carers.

The reminder comes after Australia recorded one of its toughest flu seasons in recent years, with cases soaring and hospitals under pressure. Experts say this is a sign that the UK could also be facing a severe flu outbreak this winter.

Who can get a free NHS flu jab?

• People aged 65 or over;
• People with certain long-term health conditions or who are pregnant;
• People with caring responsibilities (primarily the main carer of an older or disabled person).
• Children aged 2 or 3 and primary school aged children;
• Long-stay residential care residents;
• Those who live with someone who is more likely to get infections, such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis; and
• Frontline health or social care workers.

If you are not eligible for a free vaccination, you can pay for it privately (costs vary but are typically up to £20).

Dr Sam Williamson, Associate Medical Director at Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, said: “Flu is not trivial. Every winter we see patients with long-term conditions – such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes – become very unwell after catching it. Even if you usually feel in control of your condition, flu can trigger a chain reaction of health problems that, in the worst cases, could put you in hospital. Vaccination is quick, safe, and free. Please don’t wait until flu is already spreading, book your jab now.”

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccination?

• People aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31st January 2026);
• People aged 6 months to 74 years who have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment; and
• Those who live in a care home for older adults.

Most people can have the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu jab – talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions.

How to get your vaccinations

Flu vaccinations for the over 65s and people with long-term health conditions, and COVID-19 vaccinations for those aged 75 or who are immunosuppressed, are available from GP Practices and most pharmacies.
Your GP practice will invite you or you can book an appointment on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/

Children aged 2-3 can have the flu nasal spray at their GP practice, or some pharmacies.

School-aged children will be offered the flu nasal spray vaccination during the school day by vaccination teams.

If you’re eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
• Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/ or in the NHS App (if you’re aged 5 years or over).
• Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without an appointment if you’re aged 5 years or over. Visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/find-a-walk-in-covid-19-vaccination-site/

When does the 2025/2026 vaccination programme end?

The last date you will be able to get your flu vaccine is 31st March 2026, but it’s best to get vaccinated sooner to protect yourself during winter, ideally before the end of November.

The final date you will be able to get your COVID-19 vaccine is 31st January 2026. Online booking will close on 30 January 2026.

Get more information about flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at:
www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/vaccinations
www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/
www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/

Heavy rain didn’t dampen the spirits or commitment of two carers who completed a fundraising walk for Carers in Hertfordshire to mark Carers Week 2024.

The five-hour walk, organised by Norman Phillips, who is a carer for his wife Ros, took place around the lake at Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage, on Saturday 15th June 2024. It was the 10th fundraising walk Norman has organised.

Taking part with Norman was Elaine Sapstead, who cares for her husband Stephen and did the walk last year, and Norman’s dog Bugle. They were joined for some laps by charity staff, carers, staff from Barclays bank in Stevenage, representatives from Hertfordshire health services and Tom Hennessey, Hertfordshire County Council’s Director of Health Integration.

Norman said: “I try and do what I can to help raise awareness about caring and the issues carers like me face and to support charities like Carers in Hertfordshire, which provide information and services to people looking after a relative, partner or friend who is ill, disabled or elderly. I was happy to arrange the walk, although it was a challenging day with the changing weather – rain, high winds and sunshine. However, carers are resilient and carry on caring during difficult times, so we braved the weather to complete the event.

I was grateful to everyone who attended to show their support, it was a real morale booster.”

Hazel Howell, our Fundraising Manager, said: “Thank you to Norman, Elaine and everyone who took part, donated or popped by to show support, and to Costello’s Café, for donating drinks to keep us warm. What an incredible 10th carer’s walk.”

So far around £800 has been raised, although you may still be able to make a donation at www.justgiving.com/page/normanphillips10thwalktosupportthesupporters

If you’re inspired to take part in a fundraising walk, we have places in two Challenge Central Pub Loop Walks that are about 20km (12 miles). One walk takes in the villages circling Hitchin on Saturday 3rd August 2024, 8am – 2pm, starting at The Plume of Feathers in Ickleford. The other walk is on Saturday 26th October, 8.30am – 1.30pm, from The Orange Tree in Baldock. The entry fee is £30. If you want to take part in the walk, email fundraising@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.

If you are looking for a way to support our work with unpaid family and friend carers and other good causes whilst having a chance to win a cash prize, why not consider taking part in a community lottery?

Seven of the 10 districts in Hertfordshire have a community lottery and we are delighted to be part of all of them and are looking at whether we can benefit from final two.

It costs £1 per ticket to play the community lottery and 60p of that is donated to good causes – 50p of which can be donated to us if we are your chosen charity.

Each ticket consists of six numbers (each one between 0 and 9) and there will be a weekly draw to generate a six-digit number. You can win a jackpot of £25,000 for matching all the numbers. Other prizes of £25, £250 and £2,000, and free tickets are available for matching fewer numbers in the sequence. Players must have at least the first or last two numbers to win a prize!

The Community Lotteries that we are part of are:

Broxbourne – www.broxbournelottery.co.uk
East Herts – www.easthertslottery.co.uk
Hertsmere – www.hertsmerecommunitylottery.co.uk
North Herts – www.northhertscommunitylottery.co.uk
St Albans – www.stalbansdistrictlottery.co.uk
Watford – www.watfordcommunitylottery.co.uk
Welwyn Hatfield – www.welhatcommunitylottery.co.uk

Hazel Howell, our Fundraising Manager said: “We are so excited to be one of charities that you can support by playing a Community Lottery in Hertfordshire! The funds raised will help us continue ensuring the incredible unpaid family and friend carers across Hertfordshire are identified, informed, supported and heard. Good luck to all who play.”

If you are interested in playing the community lottery you should be at least 18 years old and live in Great Britain.

If you want to sign up to support us for any of the lotteries the links are below along with contact details if you have any questions.
• Broxbourne – www.broxbournelottery.co.uk/support/carers-in-hertfordshire 01992 217888.
• East Herts – www.easthertslottery.co.uk/support/carers-in-hertfordshire 01279 912777.
• Hertsmere – www.hertsmerecommunitylottery.co.uk/support/carers-in-hertfordshire 020 8183 7801.
• North Herts – www.northhertscommunitylottery.co.uk/support/carers-in-hertfordshire 01462 520015.
• St Albans – www.stalbansdistrictlottery.co.uk/support/carers-in-hertfordshire 01727 304020.

If you’re thinking about having a holiday, either with the person you look after or apart from them, whether a night or two or longer, planning is key. We’ve put this guide together to give you some tips about things to consider, financial help that may be available or ways to make savings. We have tried to cover options to suit a range of caring situations, holiday types and budgets. If you have anything to share, please get in touch.
We have put together the information in response to our 2022 survey with current and former carers who are registered with us as just over half (56%) said they felt they were unable to have a sufficient break from caring. However, there are many benefits to having a break – you may feel recharged and you or the person you care for may benefit from new experiences, a change of scene and routine, and meeting other people.

Holiday types
Camping, caravanning or motorhomes: Many sites have facilities and adaptations for wheelchair users and people with other impairments. You can travel by car rather than public transport, pick somewhere quiet if you or the person you care for cannot cope with busy places and have camping routines, which can be important for people with learning disabilities or an autism spectrum condition who like familiarity. You could even have a test run camping in your or a friend or relative’s garden.

Hotels and package holidays: From budget hotels to five-star resorts there are a range of options. You can get in touch with providers to find out if the rooms or facilities meet the needs of everyone in your party or discuss any assistance or requirements you have.

June, who has been a carer for 30 years and has two adult sons with autism spectrum disorders, said: “We have had regular holidays at the Campanile hotels in France as we can drive to them and the layout, décor and menu are similar at each hotel, which helps my sons feel relaxed and reduces the chance of them having meltdowns due to changes in their routine and environment!”

Cruises: These are often an all-inclusive holiday as meals and entertainment are provided with staff on hand to provide assistance. Ships usually have a range of rooms including accessible ones, and there are cruises that set off from the UK as well as abroad.

Jan, who took her late husband who had dementia on a couple of cruises, said: “At the time my husband couldn’t talk, was in a wheelchair and incontinent, but I wanted to take him away for his 70th birthday. Someone suggested a cruise so I looked into it and booked a disabled cabin. We did a short cruise around the UK first and then a longer Mediterranean one. They were great holidays, we both enjoyed them. I got some rest as there was no cooking or cleaning to do and the staff were helpful. They gave us priority boarding, unloaded the car, got my husband onto the ship and delivered our luggage safely to our room. The staff also helped me by providing extra equipment for the shower so I could ensure our safety and the catering staff prepared suitable purified meals for my husband and arranged mealtimes so we could take it in turns to eat without the food getting cold as I had to support my husband with eating. If you want to explore places at a relaxed pace, taking plenty in but with no frantic rushing and be well looked after, I’d recommend going on a cruise.”

Holiday home rentals: You can pick somewhere to suit your needs and have privacy as you won’t need to share the accommodation with people other than the family, friends or people you are holidaying with.

Jan said: “My son needs 2 to 1 support and we have booked a return break to a holiday home in Norfolk five years after our last holiday. We are taking four paid carers, three will stay in the house with my son and one, who covers the nights, will stay nearby, as will my husband and I. It has taken a lot of planning, but it is worth it seeing my son enjoying the freedom of running along the beach.”

A break without the person with care needs: If you can’t leave the person you care for on their own and don’t have family or friends that can help, you may be able to organise home care or short-term respite. Your local social services should be able to advise you on what is available near you and how to access support.

Diane who cares for three generations with various health conditions and needs – recently had a two-night getaway with her fiancé to a rural treehouse lodge in Kent, thanks to our Make a Difference service. Diane, who has had a caring role for seven years, said: “We had to do a lot of planning, arranging for the children to stay with a relative and for my siblings to be there for our parents, but it was nice to have a break and a digital detox. We came home feeling refreshed and ready to continue with our caring role – meetings, health appointments, applying or reapplying for benefits and more!”

Specialist holidays: There are organisations that provide or signpost to specialist holidays for people with various needs such as a physical disability or dementia (some examples are below). The accommodation and activities are designed to meet the needs of the person you care for. They may even provide respite care so you can have time to yourself.

Dementia Adventure: provides group and supported holidays for people with dementia and memory loss and their families/carers. www.dementiaadventure.org/holidays or email info@dementiaadventure.co.uk or call 01245 237548 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday except bank holidays).

Disabled Holidays: Lists suppliers in the disability travel industry. www.disabledholidays.com or call 0161 804 9898. 0161 260 0224.

Enable Holidays: Helps people with disabilities or care needs and their relatives / carers find, plan and arrange a holiday to suit their individual needs. www.enableholidays.com or call 0330 380 6800.

Holiday Homes Trust: Is a small charity that own self-catering caravans that they rent out at affordable prices to people with disabilities and their families / carers. There are 10 caravans and 8 are wheelchair accessible. www.holidayhomestrust.info email holiday.homes.trust@scouts.org.uk or call 020 8433 7290.

Revitalise: a national charity providing short breaks and holidays (respite care) for disabled people and carers. www.revitalise.org.uk or call 0303 303 0145.

The Calvert Trust: Delivers UK-based outdoor adventure holidays for disabled adults and children and their families. www.calvert-trust.org.uk or contact a centre directly Exmoor 01598 763221 Kielder 01434 250232 Lake District 01768 772255.

Tourism for All: A national charity supporting people in finding accessible holidays in the UK. www.tourismforall.org.uk or call 0845 124 9971.

Other tips

• Research and plan, but be flexible and have a back-up plan too! Think about what you want from a break, including whether you need accessible accommodation and research the transport options, particularly if travelling with someone with a wheelchair, limited mobility or specific health needs or equipment. You may need to contact companies in advance to organise assistance or discuss requirements.
Be ready for the unexpected and to change plans.

• If you can’t get away consider day trips instead.

• Ensure you have suitable travel insurance.

• Consider where the nearest hospital is and how to contact emergency services, particularly if you are going away with someone who may need medical care.

• Make sure you have enough and if it requires refrigerating, check there are facilities for this. If travelling abroad find out what is allowed into any countries you are visiting or passing through.

• You can have a four-week break in any 26-week period and still be paid Carer’s Allowance if you receive this (although other criteria apply with regards to getting this benefit).

• If the person you care for isn’t going away with you, make sure whoever is supporting them has information about their likes and dislikes, routines, services they use, the medication they take and emergency contacts.

• If you’d love a break but money is an issue or you are not sure about going away with the person you look after could someone else go with you – a friend or relative or someone else you know who wants to take the person they care for away? You could then share the care and costs and perhaps give each carer some ‘me time’.

Help with costs

If the cost of getting away is a problem, there are charities and organisations that provide grants or offer free or low-cost holidays. Some accept self-referrals and others need services or organisations like Carers in Hertfordshire or a health professional to refer.

If you have our Carers’ Passport you can get discounts on holidays with Butlin’s, Haven Holidays, Warner Hotels and Champney’s (spa breaks). Learn more on our Carers’ Passport offers page or call us.

There are also online offers and discount providers, such as Vouchercloud (www.vouchercloud.com) or Discounts for Carers, a provider of savings and offers for family and paid carers – https://discountsforcarers.com

Organisations providing help to self-referrers

3H Foundation: Provides subsidised group holidays for people with disabilities without their family carers. The charity also awards grants towards UK based holidays (criteria applies). www.the3hfoundation.org.uk Contact: email: info@the3hfoundation.org.uk or call: 01892 860207 (9am – 3pm Monday to Thursday).

After Umbrage: Has a holiday cottage in Bath that is offered free to people caring for a relative or someone close to them with a life-limiting or terminal illness and to bereaved carers in the first year after the death of the person they looked after. Learn more at www.afterumbrage.org.uk or email hello@afterumbrage.org.uk

Carefree: Gives carers access to breaks in hotels and holiday cottages throughout the UK, helping accommodation providers fill empty rooms. For people aged 18 or over providing unpaid care for 30+ hours a week and able to arrange alternative care. There is no charge for the accommodation, but you are responsible for the £25 admin fee and other costs such as transport, food and travel insurance. Find out more at www.carefreespace.org/take-a-break email hello@carefreespace.org or call 020 3137 2578.

Disability Grants: If you or the person you support has a disability you can find out about grants for holidays and more at www.disability-grants.org/holiday-grants-carers.html or email contact@disability-grants.org

Hertfordshire Convalescent Trust: Provides Hertfordshire residents on a low income and with a physical or mental illness in the family grants for respite or holidays (criteria applies). You can apply direct or via an organisation supporting you or the person with the illness or disability. Learn more at https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-hertfordshire-convalescent-trust-14567 or email hertsconvstrust@outlook.com or call 01992 505886 (07731 403096).

The Respite Association: Provides free week-long seaside holidays to unpaid family carers and funding for respite care. www.respiteassociation.org or email help@respiteassociation.org or call 01566 783383.