21st October 2024 • My Family Our Needs

Revitalise, a national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and carers, has announced that it will be closing at the end of November 2024.

The charity announced this decision via social media and its website on 7th October, evidencing financial challenges as the reasons for its closure, describing them as ‘insurmountable’.

Revitalise noted that it will uphold all current bookings until 25th November and are in communication with guests whose breaks are booked beyond that date or those with longer-term placements.

The UK-based charity combines 24-hour care with the atmosphere of a holiday, allowing disabled individuals and their carers to enjoy a break from their daily routines. The charity operates through purpose-built centres, offering accessible facilities and tailored care to meet the needs of guests with complex disabilities.

In the announcement, Respite took the opportunity to thank all guests for their loyal support throughout the charity’s 60 years of operation.

It read, ‘To our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unparalleled efforts and passion for Revitalise’s mission. Your contributions have made a tangible difference in helping provide vital respite for disabled people and their carers.

‘We are deeply sorry that as the UK’s last remaining provider of holidays with 24-hour care for people with complex disabilities, the breaks we provide will now be beyond reach for the majority of our guests. It remains our lasting hope that policy makers take heed of the critical state of affairs in the social care sector and ensure that respite is properly funded.’

The charity has asked any enquiries or families who are affected by the closure to contact Revitalise via email at enquiries@revitalise.org.uk. To continue supporting guests until 25th November, Revitalise has called for volunteers to lend social support in order to uphold the quality of the Revitalise experience. The following form is open for any volunteers to register their interest here.

For any families seeking assistance with their holiday, MFON’s articles on finding your perfect holiday may be able to help:

In other news, an analysis from the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel De Souza, states that 2,900 children are not enrolled at a school or being suitably educated elsewhere. Of these 2,900 children, 22% are reportedly children with SEND.