This new initiative is powered by the kindness of businesses and rewards unpaid carers with moments of rest, joy and recognition.
Carer Organisations across West Yorkshire have come together to deliver a new initiative that gives unpaid carers the chance to take a well-deserved break – for free. These breaks have been generously gifted by business across the hospitality, tourism, culture and leisure sectors, and range from coffee and a cake with a friend, bowling with the family, or a trip away. This new project is all about helping cares step away and catch their breath.
The Caring Kind Project team are manager, Gemma Povey, and coordinator, Fiona Hill, who between them have decades of experience managing and delivering projects across the third sector. They came on board at the beginning of June, and it’s been a busy few months for the team to get the initiative up and running.
I am so proud of the project, and what it brings to carers. I feel privileged to have the chance to work with generous businesses, and with the West Yorkshire Carer Organisations, to help make this happen. As a carer myself, I’ve seen first-hand how you can lose yourself in your caring role, and it can take a toll on your health and wellbeing.
Fiona, The Caring Kind Project Co-ordinator
To be recognised as a carer and have a break gifted so you can take a little time out, can have a really positive effect, and can help you to go back to your caring role more refreshed, and recognise the need to take a break, and the benefits both for yourself, and also for the person you are caring for.
A major focus for the team is building the community of Giving Partners and growing the number of breaks and experiences that carers can enjoy – and with 400,000 known unpaid carers in the region, the need is evident.
To broaden the project’s reach, those outside of the hospitality sector have the option to fund a break. Money donated will be used to purchase breaks and experiences from independent, local businesses that want to support but simply can’t.
Can you support the project?
If you have contacts through friends, family or work networks that could give a break, experience or service, please tell them about the project and make that connection.
Either direct them to the website where they can find out more and complete the ‘Get in touch’ form. Or email the team directly hello@thecaringkindproject.org.uk
Our model is simple and flexible. Gifts don’t have to be big to make a big difference – so we encourage businesses can give what they can, when they can.
Gemma, The Caring Kind Project Manager
One of best things about becoming a Giving Partners is that there are few charitable causes where the support is so direct. They can see the benefit of their contribution on the faces of the people in front of them – it’s so personal. We really are building a caring community.