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Getting away for the summer: What unpaid carers are really saying

As the weather warms up and the summer holidays approach, talk often turns to getaways, holidays, and taking a well-deserved break. But for unpaid carers, planning a summer holiday is rarely as simple as booking a flight and packing a bag.


Illustration of a woman in a wheelchair, chatting to a man holding his phone.

We know that taking a break usually involves a mountain of logistics, financial considerations, and sometimes, a heavy dose of guilt. In April, we surveyed our caring community to find out what getting away for the summer actually looks like, and here are the results.


Are carers getting a break this summer?


The good news is that many of us are hoping to get some time away. Out of the 478 of us who answered, 267 hope to take a holiday or short break this summer. However, a significant number of carers aren't so lucky. 125 people said they won't be able to get away, and another 86 are "not sure yet".


For many of us, staycations and days out are a great way to change our scenery. Find tips and ideas for making this easier in our carers’ guide to planning an accessible staycation.


Where are we heading?


For those of us who are managing to plan a getaway, staying close to home is the most popular choice. Of the 267 carers planning a break:


  • 115 are opting for a UK stay.

  • 86 are hoping to go abroad.

  • 26 are planning day trips.

  • 24 are organising a specific respite break.

  • 8 are visiting family, and 8 selected "other".

man in a car

A change of scenery, or a real break?


One of the main, but unsurprising, findings is that for the majority of carers, a holiday doesn't mean a break from caring. When asked if the person they care for usually comes with them on breaks, 174 carers (the vast majority) answered "Yes".


Only 72 carers said they go without the person they care for, while 21 said "sometimes". As one of us perfectly captured in the survey:


"I always make sure we have a break although it's more a change of scenery rather than a break, as caring still goes on".


It’s worth checking if respite care is available in your area, which enables carers to have a break away from the person we care for. Our guide to respite care is full of practical ideas, carer-tested solutions, and support to help us decide which option is most realistic for our situation.


The biggest barriers to taking a break


We also asked: "What, if anything, might make it difficult for you to take a break this summer?". The responses highlighted the unseen mental load and practical challenges that carers can face:


  • Financial strain: "Finances" was the most frequently mentioned barrier across the board. Responses highlighted the expense of travelling during the summer, the cost of organising respite care at home, and the difficulty of finding cheap holiday insurance, especially following a cancer diagnosis.

  • Accessibility and equipment: Finding the right accommodation is a hurdle, with most of us struggling to find places with wheelchair access, level access, and specific equipment like profile beds and hoists. Travelling with medical necessities, such as a dialysis machine or oxygen, adds an entirely different level of complexity.

  • Lack of respite and care coverage: For those of us hoping to go away without the person we care for, finding trustworthy cover is incredibly difficult. Carers expressed anxiety over leaving their loved ones, citing a lack of confidence in respite carers, feelings of guilt, and the difficulty of finding replacement care.

  • Changes in routine: Sometimes, the barrier is how the cared-for person copes with the change. Many of us noted that our loved ones can become highly anxious or upset by changes to their routine or environment, or simply cannot manage the confusion of being in a different house and surroundings.


We may find, however, that these barriers aren’t entirely insurmountable. In our carers’ guide to booking a holiday we’ve put together heaps of information about travel options which might help you on your way.


We are not alone


Whether we’re meticulously planning an accessible UK staycation, desperately trying to arrange respite cover, or simply accepting that a holiday isn't on the cards this year due to costs and caring responsibilities, all of our experiences are valid and shared by so many in the Mobilise community. And if you’re struggling to arrange a break, feeling the heavy burden of carer's guilt, or just want to chat with people who get it, don’t forget that you can join the Mobilise Hub by clicking here.


Helpful links


 
 
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