Leaflet 9 - Taking a break - Holidays and Financial Help

Everyone looks forward to having a holiday, whether it's a day trip or a fortnight abroad. Some carers may feel that organising a holiday for themselves and/or the person they care for would take too much effort. However, there are many organisations that can offer information and advice on accessible days out and holidays.

So, if you want to plan a holiday and need more specialist advice than you can get from a travel agent, contact one of the following organisations:

Age Concern
Age Concern produces fact sheets on holidays and travel including holidays for carers.

Contact Age Concern
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Disability Gateshead
The Information Library at Disability Gateshead contains some of the main information on holidays for disabled people, including the main RADAR guides.

Contact Disability Gateshead
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Gateshead Carers Association
Gateshead Carers Association has short breaks information on a range of holidays for people with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, mental ill health and older people, and their carers. They can also provide information about charities that may help carers to finance a holiday.

Contact Gateshead Carers Association
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Holiday Care
Holiday Care offers holiday advice and information to disabled people, older people, carers and people with financial difficulties. They produce a number of booklets detailing what is on offer in various parts of the UK and abroad, and on sources of financial help for those on low income.

Contact Holiday Care
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

RADAR
RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) produces a number of guides for disabled people which provide information on holidays and leisure facilities. These currently include:

• Holidays in the British Isles
  
• Planning and booking a holiday
  
• Insurance
  
• Holiday finance
  
• Lists of useful addresses

Contact RADAR
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

TRIPSCOPE
TRIPSCOPE is a free nation-wide travel and transport information and advice service for disabled and older people. They can tell you how to get from A to B, whether it's a local, national or international journey. They can also advise on other travel matters.

Contact TRIPSCOPE
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Holiday Finance
Social Services Departments have a duty to assess a disabled person, upon request. The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 states that one of things to be assessed is the need for a holiday or short break.

If you or the person you care for are assessed as needing a break, the Council may pay all, or part, of the cost.

For more information on assessments, see Section 2 - Carers rights.

If you have not been able to take a holiday or break due to financial constraints and Community Based Services cannot help, there a number of organisations which may be able to assist.

The library at Disability Gateshead has information on charitable trusts which may be able to help. (See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

The Outreach Worker at Gateshead Crossroads may also be able to point you in the right direction. (See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Gateshead Carers Association holds information on charitable trusts that may be able to help finance a holiday. (See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

In addition, national organisations concerned with a particular medical condition may be able to offer financial assistance for holidays and breaks.

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