{"id":32046,"date":"2023-07-26T16:56:27","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T15:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=32046"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:23:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:23:24","slug":"give-carers-a-break","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/get-involved\/campaign\/give-carers-a-break\/","title":{"rendered":"Give Carers a Break"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t<div class=\"banner    is-style-secondary-tint-10  align-full\">\t\t<div class=\"banner__flex\">\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"banner__figure\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-900x600.jpg\" class=\"banner__img\" alt=\"Two women smiling together in a music room, listening to the sound of a bell.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SENSE_NI_Lorna-C-and-April-F-9-1600x1065.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/> \t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"banner__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-intro-xl\">Give carers a break<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-intro-xl\">A third of family carers of disabled people don\u2019t receive any support to take a break from caring.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group    margin-top-3xl\">\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Give Carers a Break - Lowri&#039;s story\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p55TDjxWsVg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block    accordion__item\"> \t<summary class=\"accordion__title\">\n\t\t<span class=\"accordion__toggle\">\n\t\tVisual transcript of Lowri&#039;s story\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/summary>\n\n\t<div class=\"accordion__content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">The video begins with a woman with blue eyes and long dark hair speaking off camera. She is sat in her living room. Her name is Lowri.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Lowri enters her daughter&#8217;s room. Her daughter\u2019s name is Mia. Mia is asleep in a bed which has a supportive railing across it. Lowri opens the curtains and lowers the railing, getting Mia ready for the day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: I think you need support. Like every person would need support if they are caring for someone, especially 24 seven. You do need to break. You do need some sort of sanity.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Mia is sitting in a wheelchair. She is a young girl with blond hair and blue eyes. Lowri is standing next to her, smiling whilst holding up colourful fibre-optic lights. Mia looks up at Lowri, making eye contact.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Mia sits on Lowri\u2019s lap, and they share a hug on the sofa.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: Mia is non-verbal but she does show off a lot of love. She really speaks through her eyes and we do have a really special bond.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Mia is sat in her wheelchair in the kitchen. Lowri screws in Mia\u2019s tube, getting ready for her feed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: When Mia became nil by mouth and was tube fed, I quit working so I could become her full time carer.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">We are now in Mia\u2019s room. Lowri is caring for Mia by drying her hair after a bath, preparing her feed again, dressing her, carrying Mia up the stairs, and flushing Mia\u2019s feeding tube.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: From the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to bed I feed her, dress her, carry her around everywhere, give her a medication, but it doesn&#8217;t really stop.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Lowri puts Mia to bed and closes the bedroom blinds. Lowri goes to bed, her face illuminated by Mia\u2019s monitor. We hear a cry and Lowri opens her eyes to check the monitor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: When she does go to bed, she does have insomnia. So I&#8217;ve always got to be alert at night listening out for her.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">It\u2019s daytime. Lowri is working through her daily tasks. She is sitting on the stairs going through applications, she brings in the shopping, stocks up Mia\u2019s feed and checks Mia\u2019s feeding tube inventory.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: When I do get a break, when she&#8217;s at school, two days a week, I&#8217;m always catching up on life admin, doing bits that I can&#8217;t do with Mia, you know, food shop for popping to the chemist, making sure that she&#8217;s stocked up on a feed.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Lowri picks Mia up from school. She unstraps Mia from her wheelchair, lifts Mia into the car and lifts the wheelchair into the boot of the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: The time goes so quickly and before I know it I&#8217;ve got to pick her up again, which is a long and lengthy process in itself.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Lowri is looking down at Mia, smiling affectionately.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Lowri is finally taking a short break. She stands in the kitchen and looks out the window.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: True respite would mean, you know, a night or like a small break, a couple of nights away where Mia is looked after by someone that can care for properly and I can just spend those nights having a full night&#8217;s sleep and not having to be woken up because we need time to almost recuperate and gain energy again.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Lowri is back with Mia. They are in the living room using an eye gaze machine. Lowri holds Mia\u2019s hand and gently strokes it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Lowri: While waiting for support or respite, I&#8217;ve just got to get on with it and make her the happiest I can, and give her the best care possible.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">The screen fades to white. Purple text appears on screen which reads&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Voiceover: 1 in 5 family carers can&#8217;t remember the last time they had a break. Join us in calling for more support for carers. Sense.org.uk\/GiveCarersABreak.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">Two dots appear. Orange on the left and purple on the right. The dots spin around the screen then comes together in the centre, forming two hands with the letter S in the middle. This is the Sense logo. Text appears below the logo.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><strong>Voiceover: Sense. No one left out of life. Sense.org.uk<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Carers of disabled family members do an incredible job, but providing round-the-clock care to loved ones without any time out is exhausting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like everybody else, carers deserve a break from their responsibilities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They need time to rest, reconnect with family and friends and work on other tasks.\u00a0<br>But right now, <strong>more than 65% of carers say they\u2019re burnt out or exhausted<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block  quoteWithImage    align-wide\">\n\t<figure class=\"quoteWithImage__image\">\n\t\t<div class=\"image--circle-masked\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image--circle-masked__container\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"417\" height=\"471\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Lowri_headshot.jpg\" class=\"attachment-small size-small\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-textured-primary-tint-10 is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI would just love a few hours or days where I could relax, and not have to be so alert and constantly thinking about someone\u2019s needs. It would really help me to unwind.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Lowri, full-time carer to Mia. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-parent-carer\/\">Read Lowri&#8217;s story.<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default\">How can carers get a break?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to take a break from their responsibilities, carers need <strong>respite care<\/strong> for the people they care for.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This could be a few hours support for the person being cared for to do fun activities, or longer care overnight. This means that the disabled person also gets a break, and is properly cared for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Respite care is offered by local authorities. But many people struggle to access the care they\u2019re entitled to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lack of long-term funding, poor information and support and a gap in specialist services is leading families of disabled people to burn out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>One in five family carers of disabled people can\u2019t remember the last time they had a break.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We want all family carers to be able to take a break when they need it.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block  quoteWithImage    align-wide\">\n\t<figure class=\"quoteWithImage__image\">\n\t\t<div class=\"image--circle-masked\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"image--circle-masked__container\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-500x494.jpg\" class=\"attachment-small size-small\" alt=\"Ruth, a white woman with brown hair and glasses, smiling.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-500x494.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-600x592.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-1024x1011.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-768x758.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-1536x1517.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1.jpg 1823w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-1600x1580.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Ruth1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-textured-primary-tint-10 is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAccessing respite care is a tough process. You don\u2019t have to do it alone. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Ruth Bennett-Anderson, operations manager at Sense. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/how-to-get-respite-care\/\">Find out Ruth\u2019s top tips for accessing respite care.<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box    is-style-textured-pink-tint-10\">    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What we\u2019re calling for<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li>Long-term funding from the government for respite care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consistent information and support around respite care from local authorities.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More awareness of how invaluable carers are, and why respite care is so important.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-hs-group  align-full\">\t\t<div class=\"wrap\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stories from carers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A huge thank you to all the carers that helped support our campaign and get the message out across TV, radio, newspapers and social media. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"grid  grid-flexbox  grid-4-cols\"><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Lowri-James_-Jack-Kelly_-Mia-Kelly-e1697790799281-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"Lowri and Jack and their daughter Mia smile for the camera while sitting at a table together.\" style=\"object-position: 55.42% 48.95%;\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-parent-carer\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Lowri and Mia\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tLowri lives in Hampshire with her partner Jack and their daughter Mia. &#8220;Caring for someone with complex disabilities is hard work. It\u2019s very demanding, non-stop, and it takes a toll physically, mentally and emotionally.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/laura-and-matty-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A woman looks up from the book she is reading her son\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Laura and Matty\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tThe support Matty receives at Sense enabled Laura to work as a dinner lady at the local secondary school. &#8220;Matty\u2019s amazing and loves life. But supporting him is a fulltime job. It can be hard.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/julie-natalie-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A woman leans on her daughter&#039;s wheelchair and both smile at the camera\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Julie and Natalie\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tJulie lives in Ramsey with her husband, Andy, and daughter, Natalie. Natalie attends Sense college which she loves but additional respite gives Julie time to recharge as a carer.  \r\n\r\n\u201cWhen you get that weekend you cram everything in and on the Monday morning we\u2019re knackered but it\u2019s a good knackered. Sometimes we go away or we\u2019ll go off for a big walk with the dog.\u201d\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20221022_131901-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"Catherine, a white woman with brown hair, smiling with her two young sons, Marshall and Reuben.\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/family-respite-care-parent-carers-siblings-school-holidays\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Catherine and Marshall\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tCatherine lives in Lincolnshire, with her partner and two sons, Marshall, 12, and Reuben, 9. \u201cIt\u2019s during the summer time that we\u2019d really benefit from\u202frespite care, giving us a short break from caring. Even a little respite during this time would allow us to refocus and stop the cycle of exhaustion.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/hajara-tallah-habiba-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"Three young children surround and hug their mother\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Hajara, Talhah and Habiba \n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tTalhah helps out a lot at home, as a young carer for his sister and attends Sense\u2019s siblings and young carers project. Hajara explains, \u201cNow, I know Talhah\u2019s got a support system, an outlet, and he\u2019s able to have fun and be creative and explore different things.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Chantel_Madison_Sense-7259-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"Two young women sit on a bench in a garden, one with her arm around the other.\" style=\"object-position: 36.69% 23.84%;\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Chantel and Madison \n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\t&#8220;Madison is a fiercely independent child with a pretty strong will. Caring for her requires patience and understanding. The support Sense provides helps us to do things we wouldn\u2019t normally do, like shopping, resting, and catching up with things that normally get neglected.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/morag-harry-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A young man and his mother sit holding hands\" style=\"object-position: 51.68% 20.98%;\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Morag and Harry\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tMorag lives in Lincolnshire with her sons Harry, 26, and Edward, 24. \u201cAs Harry\u2019s carer, I constantly have to be there for him. I manage all of his support. Respite helps me carry on. The only other option is full-time care, and I\u2019ve never considered that.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/josie-paige-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A little girl cuddles her mum\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Josie and Paige   \n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\t\u201cI have to do everything for Paige and make sure I\u2019m constantly watching her. The only time I really get a break is when hospice staff come over to the house for a few hours, to help Paige take a bath. I would love a break. But I am so grateful for my girls and that Paige is still with us.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/yvette-rosey-beach-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A woman hugs her daughter in a wheelchair at the beach\" style=\"object-position: 54.38% 20.79%;\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/the-cost-of-living-for-rosey\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Yvette and Rosey \n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\t\u201cAs a carer to Rosey, I am her mum, her pharmacist, her nurse, her friend. I\u2019m all things to her. Rosey and I have a great time together and she is my absolute world. But of course there are huge challenges. Being a carer can be an isolating experience.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/saeed-azhar-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A young man and his dad beam at the camera\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Saeed and Azhar \n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\t\u201cAs a family, we care for Azhar 24\/7. There\u2019s not enough support for family carers. Over the years we\u2019ve had so many battles securing support. It wears you down and you forget about yourself.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/nicola-rebecca-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A young girl stands in a garden with her dog while her mum kneels beside her\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Rebecca and Nicola \n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\t\u201cAs a carer I\u2019m burnt out. There\u2019s no time to recuperate. Respite means a complete break, but there\u2019s always other things that need doing &#8211; writing care plans, sorting out meetings. I don\u2019t get any sort of break. Disabled children and families desperately need support.\u201d  \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/carla-cameron-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A boy smiles as his mum picks him up for a kiss\" style=\"object-position: 51.71% 25.29%;\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              Carla and Cameron \n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\t\u201cGetting help has felt like a real battle. I\u2019ve been repeatedly declined overnight stays, which would help me get a proper night\u2019s sleep. Cameron\u2019s needs are so varied and so changeable, one night he can sleep through no problem then the next he\u2019ll be up multiple times in the night.\u201d \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block  slab    is-style-textured-secondary-tint-10  align-full\">\n  <div class=\"wrap\">  <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Find out if you\u2019re entitled to respite care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Navigating the social care system can be confusing and isolating. Our information and advice pages are here to help guide you through the process:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"grid  grid-flexbox  grid-2-cols\"><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Hajara_Talhah_Sense-6481-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A woman wearing a purple hijab and glasses reads a book with two small children.\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/support-for-carers\/carers-assessments\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Carers&#8217; assessments\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tCarers\u2019 assessments are your local authority\u2019s way of finding out what support you need as a carer.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Laura_Matty_Sense-6345-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A woman and a young man in a wheelchair sharing a laugh in a garden.\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/support-for-carers\/respite-care-short-breaks-for-carers\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Respite care (short breaks for carers)\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tRespite care \u2013 sometimes called \u201cshort breaks\u201d \u2013 is a term used to describe opportunities to take a break from caring.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/P1010280-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A close-up of a man in a wheelchair and wearing a neck pillow smiling.\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/life-stages\/adult-life\/assessments-for-care-and-support-if-youre-disabled\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Assessments for care and support if you\u2019re disabled\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tHow your care and support needs as an adult will be assessed.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div>\n<div class=\"card\">\n      <figure class=\"card__figure\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Sense-Loughborough-Final-Selection-Office-Skills-_Counting-Money_-11-600x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-card-supportive size-card-supportive\" alt=\"A woman in a hijab points to some paperwork, while a man sat next to her glances over\" \/>\n    <\/figure>\n  \n  <div class=\"card__content\">\n    <h2 class=\"card__title  h4\">\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/benefits-and-money\/who-pays-for-your-care-and-support\/personal-budgets-and-direct-payments\/\" class=\"card__link  link--stretched\">\n              Personal budgets and direct payments\n              <\/a>\n          <\/h2>\n\n    \n    <div class=\"card__description\">\n\t\t\tA personal budget is an amount of money that the local authority agrees to pay for your care. It can be paid as direct payments.\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/information-and-advice-service\/\">contact us for information and advice<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We&#8217;re calling for long-term funding from the government for respite care.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":920,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-landing.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"content_label":[],"class_list":["post-32046","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32046\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"content_label","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_label?post=32046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}