Recently, Suffolk Family Carers received notification that over £100,000 was being left by a grateful family carer, who had strong links with the charity over many years, as part of their will and testament.
The generous sum sparked some creative thinking among the charity’s team, who are determined to ensure that family carers of all ages across Suffolk will benefit directly.
As a result, Suffolk Family Carers has announced its new Respite Fund. This means that many carers whose caring role is currently having a significant impact on their wellbeing will be able to access financial assistance to support them with ways to improve their own physical and mental wellbeing. We hope this will prevent the escalation of carer breakdown.
Kirsten Alderson, Chief Executive of Suffolk Family Carers, said: “We know how important breaks are for carers, many of whom have very substantial caring responsibilities and provide round the clock care.
“We hear too often from family carers who are exhausted, near to crisis and desperately seeking some support to have a break.
It’s because of this that we want to offer something that will support carers to get a break from their caring role.”
The charity also has a static caravan in Kessingland, which is available for family carers to use for short breaks. This will also be getting an update, thanks to the recent donation.
Even though this is an extremely generous donation, Suffolk Family Carers could spend it many times over in order to provide respite to family carers across Suffolk. There are over 80,000 carers across the county so the charity is appealing to local businesses and members of the public to help them meet the needs of this deserving group by making donations to this respite fund. Please get in touch or visit www.suffolkfamilycarers.org to make an online donation.
Family carers wanting to find out more about the respite fund, or to book a break in the caravan, should contact Suffolk Family Carers’ Information Line on 01473 835477.
