Breath of fresh air for carers at new Mind-run seaside holiday home

Posted Wednesday 25 May 2011

Carers are being offered the chance to take a well-earned break beside the seaside in a unique new holiday home which officially launched today, run by mental health charity Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind.

The newly refurbished Caister-on-Sea house, offering respite breaks for carers, was opened on Wednesday by deputy mayor of Great Yarmouth Cllr Michael Jeal during an activity-filled day. It recently underwent a £5,000 refurbishment funded by a grant from Mind.

The three-bedroom holiday home is the first of its kind in the region and is available for rent by any person or family who cares for a relative and is need of a respite break. The holidays are specifically aimed at offering carers a break, though they can choose to bring those who they care for on the holiday too.

Any profits generated from the holiday home will be directly reinvested in Mind’s charitable work, supporting carers and encouraging mental health and wellbeing in the Yarmouth and Waveney area.

Stuart Bennett, development manager at Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind, said the new home offers a valuable resource to carers in the region and further afield: Carers do such an important job so offering somewhere for them to have a much-needed break is invaluable. 

Respite breaks are commonly offered to individuals who are cared for, rather than the carer themselves. This home gives hardworking carers the chance to take it easy with a well-earned holiday and reward themselves for the fantastic job they do caring for others.

Grants for respite breaks are available to carers so we’ve ensured the rental is affordable with week-long stays from only £250, helping people to make the most of this funding. The house isn’t only for carers from East Anglia. We hope people from across the country will appreciate a holiday on the Norfolk coastline for some summer sunshine or a quiet winter break. 

Today's event marked the official opening of the house, with tours around the house. It has been furnished with kind donations from local businesses such as John Lewis and Hughes Electrical and is situated in a quiet residential area of Caister, just 10 minutes from the beach.

Roger Gowen, a carer from Yarmouth, realises the value of such a service for people from Norfolk and further afield:There is a desperate need for services like this for carers who have to deal with the stress, worry and physical work of looking after a loved one. Young carers who also have the pressures of school will especially benefit. Having a break at a respite home offers a different environment and makes carers feel less trapped. It is so important to help maintain your ability to cope.

Loretta Tubby, carer and volunteer at Mind, said:It’s great that Mind supports people in need of a well-earned break. The holiday home is in a great location, the seaside is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face!

The Deputy Mayor added:I think it’s absolutely fantastic to have a respite home in the region to provide carers with a place to stay and get away from the strains and stresses of life. Mind has done a great job in creating a little haven for those who need to recharge and have some fun.

Bookings are already being taken. Find out more from Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind or call Lisa Beales on 01493 842129.

Notes

Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind is a registered charity which supports people whose lives are affected by mental ill-health.

For more information please contact Ellen Cave or Lucy Clegg at Tribe on 01603 417722 or email ellen@tribepr.com

Established in 1978, Mind is the largest voluntary sector mental health service in the Yarmouth and Waveney area and has achieved national recognition for its innovative approach to service delivery and the quality of its organisational management.

Mind’s success has been built on extensive experience and its ability to respond to changes introduced by national and local government directive and to the views of the people who use its services.

Through education, Mind seeks to challenge stigma and discrimination in everything it does, encouraging equal opportunities, positive thinking and embracing cultural diversity.

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