It is always a pleasure to visit Sandpipers, and to speak to some of the regular guests and carers at Revitalise's premier Southport site. It’s no surprise that some guests have been returning to Southport for over 25 years, the dedication and continued hard work of the staff and volunteers is abundantly clear.
There is a serious need for disabled people and their carers to be able to access regular respite breaks - whether this is to alleviate the daily pressures faced by unpaid carers and the strain this can place on relationships, or to ensure that disabled people have the opportunity to enjoy holidays with friends in a setting specifically suited to their care needs.
The Government has invested an unprecedented amount of money into health and social care and we must make sure that this funding is going to the right places, to support the millions of adults and young people who provide unpaid care to family members and friends each year. There is work to be done to ensure that this funding for respite breaks can be made more easily available to disabled people and their carers, with no administrative delays.
That is why I will continue my ongoing work with Revitalise to promote the accessibility of these breaks, and have written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to highlight the aims of the 'Give me a break' campaign, in addition to the lived experiences of guests at Sandpipers.