Sharing Stories 2023

Team Revitalise Personal challenges, adventures for

everyone

• London Marathon 2024

• Vitality 10k (London)

• Parallel Windsor – the UK’s most inclusive race

Run iconic races and conquer personal goals while raising funds to help more disabled people and carers enjoy a respite break. For more information visit our website or email events@revitalise.org.uk

Welcome

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to be able to present the summer edition of Sharing Stories in this, Revitalise’s 60th anniversary year.

Iwould also like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support you have given to Revitalise over the past year and, for our longstanding friends, for much longer.

When Dame Jon Brander established the Winged Fellowship Trust in 1963 (the charity which later became known as Revitalise), she was determined to improve the lives of disabled people and those who care for them. She had a vision of life with greater freedom, more joy and the offer of a genuine holiday, which was often beyond the reach of disabled people in the mid20th century.

So much has changed since the 1960s. Technological, social and legislative changes have brought positive improvements for disabled people. Revitalise has also helped improve the lives for thousands of disabled people over the past 60 years by delivering fun filled, accessible respite holidays.

However, while much has changed in the last six decades, two things remain the same: Revitalise’s commitment to offering respite breaks to as many disabled people as possible and the critical role our supporters and volunteers play in making this possible.

Since day one, those who shared Dame Joan’s vision have played a hugely vital role in bringing pleasure and relief to peoples’ lives and it is important to take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together. That is why this edition of sharing stories features wonderful examples of the support we continue to receive and why this support means so much to our guests.

It is also important to recognise that life in 2023 continues to be extremely challenging for disabled people and those who care for them. Drastic cuts in local authority funding combined with the cost-of-living rises, the like of which have not been seen in decades, means urgently needed respite breaks are once again beyond the reach of too many disabled people and carers. This is putting enormous pressure on caring relationships and severe mental health issues are on the increase. In short, disabled people and carers are reaching breaking point.

In response to this challenge, we will be launching a special appeal this summer and the money raised from this appeal will be directed towards the Dame Joan Brander memorial fund that provides hardship funding for guests who struggle to afford the breaks they urgently need. Further details of this appeal and how you can help us can be found on page 11 of this update.

We have launched The Give me a break campaign, shedding light on the current respite crisis. We are also appealing for donations to increase our financial support for those who desperately need a break and a capital appeal to transform and expand our holiday centres.

I hope you share our pride in all Revitalise’s has achieved in its first 60 years and will continue to help us offer disabled people the breaks they want and urgently need.

Janine Tregelles, Chief Executive, CBE

Team up and help Revitalise raise £250,000 for respite holidays

Thanks to your kind support, Revitalise has been delivering joy-filled respite holidays for 60 years and, for many of the disabled people we serve, and those who care for them, a visit to one of our specialist respite holiday centres is not just a break, it’s a lifeline.

Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis and drastic cuts in local authority respite funding has put the prospect of a break beyond the reach of thousands of disabled people and carers, many of whom are reaching breaking point.

That is why Revitalise is launching its first, 36-hour Crowd Funding appeal on the 18th and 19th of June 2023 and we would love you to support this appeal by becoming a Campaign Champion.

Being a Team leader couldn’t be simpler and costs nothing. All we ask is that you signup to the campaign and agree to share the information that we will provide about the campaign with as many of your family, friends, community or business contacts as possible.

If you are happy to become one of our team

Alegacy of joy

Gifts kindly given to Revitalise through the wills of our supporters are crucial to Revitalise’s work.

The legacy gifts we receive come in a range of shapes and sizes but what they all have in common is the positive impact they have on Revitalise’s work, whether helping Revitalise subsidise more guests’ holidays or transforming the facilities we are able to offer our guests.

If you have already included Revitalise in your will, we would like to extend our sincere

leaders for this special campaign, we will be in touch with you before and throughout the campaign weekend and you will be given your own page on our special campaign website to help you promote the appeal. We will also offer help and tips so that you can get the best from your role as a Team Leader and can arrange a call or online conversation to answer any questions you may have.

Together, we hope this vital campaign will raise £250,000, an amount that could subsidise every guest’s break at one of our holiday centres for 10 weeks, but any support you can help to generate through this appeal will help us ensure more disabled people and carers are able to get the break they urgently need.

If you would like any more information about this appeal or the role of Team Leader, please contact me via amcdowell@revitalise.org.uk or fundraising@revitalise.org.uk. Further information can also be found on our website via www.revitalise.org.uk

On behalf of everyone at Revitalise, thank you for all your support and for considering supporting this vital campaign.

gratitude for choosing to support Revitalise this way. It is greatly appreciated.

If including a gift in your will is something you are still considering, after you have looked after your friends and family, please get in touch with our fundraising team via or visit the legacy pages of our website for more information.

You may also be interested in an exciting new partnership Between Revitalise and the National Free Wills Network. This new partnership means Revitalise’s supporters can now get a simple will drafted or updated by a local solicitor free of charge. Please visit www.revitalise.org.uk/ legacies for more information.

Celebrating 60 years of positive impact: Revitalise at the Houses of Parliament

ONthe 17th of May, Revitalise held a special 60th anniversary reception event at the Houses of Parliament. Hosted by Damien Moore, MP for Southport and attended by some of Revitalise’s most committed supporters, volunteers and guests, this uplifting event celebrated the positive impact of offering thousands of disabled people and carers the chance to experience a joy-filled respite holiday.

The event was also an opportunity to highlight the challenge disabled people and carers continue to face in 2023, where cuts in local authority funding and the cost of living crisis continue to put respite breaks beyond the reach of many of the people who most urgently need a break.

In response to this crisis, Revitalise used the event to launch its ‘Give me a break’ appeal that is designed to give more disabled people and carers the chance to take a respite break and there was no one better placed to help bring the appeal’s aims to life than one of Revitalise’s regular guests, Neil Crouch, who kindly agreed to share his personal story at this event.

In his impactful presentation, Neil reflected on his physical and mental health challenges, the positive impact of his holidays at Jubilee Lodge, for both him and those who care for him and above all, his refusal to let his personal circumstances define him or his ability to live a fulfilling life.

Neil spoke of his lifelong disability, his early educational experiences and his career in nursing. He also spoke about the deterioration in his health that eventually ended his nursing career, left him needing care himself and facing a daunting and highly uncertain future. Neil also paid tribute to his parents who provided unwavering support and helped him navigate the darkest times.

Neil also shared some stories from his breaks at Jubilee lodge, describing how his initial shyness and apprehension quickly went away thanks to the incredible welcome he received from Jubilee Lodge’s volunteers, many of whom have gone on to become lifelong friends. Particular highlights for Neil include the friendships he’s formed with other guests and the life enriching trips that even included an indoor skydiving experience.

Addressing the current crisis, Neil highlighted how local authority funding has now been significantly reduced making the cost of a break unaffordable for many guests, including himself. This is why the Give me a break appeal is so important to disabled people and carers, many of whom have not had a proper break for years.

Neil concluded by offering his gratitude to Revitalise for their unwavering assistance, support, and care over the past two decades and a call for all present to unite in their efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of those who depend on the respite care provided by Revitalise.

Neil Crouch and Revitalise’s chair of Trustees, George Blunden.

Anne McConnell and Ros Dover. Long standing members of the Friends of Jubilee Lodge.

What a break at Jubilee Lodge means to me:

Harj’s story

15

years ago, Harj was celebrating the birth of his son and enjoying his job as a fitness and wellbeing instructor. However, his life took an unforeseen turn when he received a devastating diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that rapidly altered the trajectory of his life.

Harj continues to live independently, but he relies on professional carers to assist with his daily needs. His mother visits him regularly, and she spends cherished moments with her son every Saturday. On Fridays, he and his carer venture out for a couple of hours, and his considerate neighbour checks on him each evening to ensure his well-being. Despite these connections, Harj has experienced a loss of contact with many friends, often spending significant time alone.

Harj had been longing to go away for his birthday for the past three years. However, due to various factors such as COVID-19, travel restrictions, and financial constraints, his plans had been repeatedly thwarted. Finally, in May, during his birthday week, he had the opportunity to take a holiday, thanks to the generous support of CS Disabled Holidays, the MS Society, and the Revitalise Support Fund. Despite encountering difficulty in finding suitable transport, causing stress, Revitalise ensured his safe arrival by picking him up from the station.

Harj’s sisters also understand the importance of Harjinder being able to take holiday, highlighting how his trip to Jubilee Lodge was more than just

a break; it is something to look forward to and a vital source of motivation. Harj’s mother also benefits from the break and peace of mind that comes from knowing Harjinder will have all his personal care needs met while he is away and will also enjoy the delicious meals on offer at Jubilee Lodge.

Harj cherishes the excursions at Jubilee Lodge, as they provide him with an opportunity to make new friends. On his birthday, Harj’s sisters and family visited him, bringing treats to share with the other guests.

Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Harj remains connected to others through the use of assisted mobile technology. Ever true to his compassionate nature, he utilises this tool to reach out to others and actively support the planning of Diwali Week at Jubilee Lodge. His mantra reflects his altruistic spirit:

Harj’s journey exemplifies resilience and the pursuit of joy amidst adversity. Thanks to Revitalise and our supporters gifts, Harj was finally able to take a much needed holiday and, despite continuing to face personal challenges, breaks like the one Harj enjoyed at Jubilee Lodge will help him continue to live life to the full.

“Be happy, make other people happy, and help anyone who needs it.”

Harj

Special gifts

In autumn 2022 the fundraising team was pleasantly surprised to receive a rather unusual gift of a rare coin with a handwritten note suggesting we get the coin valued and sold. The note also suggested what the coin could be worth. The letter came with the previous receipt of purchase from several decades earlier. We duly got the coin value and, in early 2023, the coin was auctioned by a specialist coin dealer generating just under £4,000 for Revitalise! We’d like to thank the donor for this wonderful, unexpected and unusual gift.

Liverpool Football Club has kindly donated a signed Fabinho Shirt to help raise funds for Revitalise! The guests, staff and volunteers at Sandpipers who are Liverpool supporters where made up to see this donation. The representative from Liverpool Football Club and our Community Engagement Manager, Emma, are working together to help promote our new ‘Give me a break’ Campaign and spreading the word about Sandpipers. This amazing donation will go towards a raffle or auction to help raise funds for Revitalise – Thank you Liverpool Football Club!

Radio 4 appeal update

In December 2022, the actor and playwright Rory Kinnear presented a special appeal on behalf of Revitalise that was broadcast on BBC Radio 4. This appeal highlighted the importance of Revitalise’s breaks to Ann and Louise, a mother and daughter who have gained so much from Louise’s regular visits to our Sandpipers holiday centre. The appeal

raised more than £20,000 and raised the profile of Revitalise’s work and the issue of respite holidays with a national audience and everyone at Revitalise would like to thank Rory for his kind support and everyone who donated to this appeal or any of Revitalise’s other Christmas fundraising activities.

An exciting donation from Liverpool FC

LOVE CONQUERS ALL

LOVE SUSTAINS us all. Whether it be love between parent and child, or a couple, or a special friendship, relationships which endure over the years have to cope with many challenges, and changes in health and wellbeing are sometimes the most difficult to deal with.

Revitalise is a lifeline for people with extra care needs. Our supported holidays give those who might otherwise struggle to spend quality time together the chance to be a couple again; or to take a break from each other and give their love room to breathe. As Suni, a regular guest at our Youth Weeks, says: “I live at home with my mum. It’s not that we don’t like spending time together but sometimes it’s nice to have your own space and to do things individually. It means mum can go away without worrying that I’m on my own.”

A NEW WAY TO LOVE

When one half of a couple develops Alzheimer’s, the dynamic of the entire relationship is affected, but that doesn’t mean that the

fundamental love that people have for one another will change. Jon and Jean have been married for almost 50 years and are living proof that love might change but it never ends. The couple live near Liverpool and are regulars at the Treasured Moments weeks at Revitalise Sandpipers resort near Southport.

Treasured Moments are weeks that Revitalise puts on to help carers and those with Alzheimer’s and dementia to create special memories together. Our experienced and qualified staff take over the care, so the only thing guests need to focus on is enjoying their time together.

Jon and Jean first met in 1974 on a blind date and were married a year later. Twelve years ago, Jon developed vascular dementia, and Jean became his carer.

“At first it’s very difficult,” says Jean, on living with someone with dementia. “There’s somebody there and then they’re not. But Jon and I are lucky, we have a lot of fun.”

Jean learned about Revitalise holidays online, but wasn’t

sure about taking the plunge. But when Revitalise got in touch to offer funding, they decided to try it.

“The first time we visited was in 2016 and we’ve been every year since,” says Jean. “The support of meeting other carers is great. Jon is very smiley and you can see it on his face when the young volunteers chat with him. I know he loves it.”

The moment one break ends, Jean starts counting down to the next one. “The fi rst week I’m back home I’m very sad. But looking forward to the next visit does keep you going.”

While a holiday with Revitalise is, for some couples, a chance to feel closer, for others it is

“When we’re not here, Graham’s always saying it doesn’t feel like we’re a couple. And when we come here, it feels like we’re a couple”

The secret to a happy, healthy life is love. We meet some of the Revitalise guests who have found a new connection on our breaks

Beating lonelines

Building meaningful relationships with other people is a fundamental part of being human, but for many disabled people (and sometimes carers), loneliness is common. This not only affects mental health, but also has a negative impact on your physical wellbeing.

Over two thirds (70%) of disabled people say that social isolation is affecting their mental health and wellbeing, with 2 in 5 (40%) reporting an impact on their physical health. Disabled people are almost four times more likely to report feeling lonely “often or always” than non-disabled people.

If you have been lonely, meeting new people and making friends can be daunting. You can start by talking to people online, or joining in activities where you’re with other people, but don’t necessarily need to interact one-to-one.

If you’re feeling ready to mix with other people more, follow up your own interests, as shared passions make it easier to naturally form friendships. Or, you could try something new – volunteering is a great way to get out and meet other people. Find out more about volunteering opportunities with Revitalise on page 12.

the only place where they can, literally, be closer. Graham and Jane, who have been taking breaks with us for years, are only able to share a room when they stay with us. Graham has cerebral palsy and Jane has epilepsy and spina bifida.

Graham and Jane got engaged at Netley Waterside House and took their honeymoon with Revitalise. “The room was covered in hearts,” says Jane, giggling at the memory. “They’d put ‘congratulations’ on the door, and there were towels in the shape of swans.”

“That was lovely,” says Graham. “At home, we’re not in the same bed,” says Jane. “They move the beds next to each other here. That’s what

makes it, the little things.

“When we’re not here, Graham’s always saying it doesn’t feel like we’re a couple. And when we come here, it feels like we’re a couple.”

NEW BEGINNINGS

As well as providing a space for lifelong couples to be together, Revitalise breaks can also be a chance for new relationships to blossom. Marcie and Steve met at Jubilee Lodge in Chigwell, Essex, 15 years ago and they stayed with us last year, just before Christmas.

Steve remembers meeting Marcie for the first time: “It was a knockout, and made

me forget everything I had gone through before I met her. Things have changed a lot since, for the better.”

Marcie has written an inspirational personal account of a life with cerebral palsy in two autobiographies, My Name is Marcie (Mrs) and My Name is Marcie (Mrs) Book 2; another book which is available through online platform Lulu. Another Revitalise couple are Carl and Tracey who first met at Sandpipers and are going to celebrate their eighth anniversary in June this year. Both still live in their own family homes, but they talk daily and meet up at Sandpipers whenever they can.

Carl says: “I lost my mum and then met Tracey a month after and then she picked my life up from the beginning.” His advice to new guests is: “Just talk to people… if you are nervous I would say just go for it, because otherwise you won’t get the chance.”

You may not meet the love of your life, but important friendships are often formed at our centres. A recent guest at Jubliee Lodge, Dave, wrote to tell us that he had a wonderful time there as he met someone he really clicked with, and they have become fast friends. He had been struggling with loneliness before his stay and this connection has lifted his spirits. Staying somewhere new for the first time on your own can seem daunting. So many of our guests describe the friends and staff that they have met at our holiday centres as becoming “part of my family”.

It’s a family affair: Meet two mother and daughter teams who took on

London marathon for Revitalise

Meet Izzy, Jo, Coral, and Kirsty— Two groups of mother-daughter duos who ran the London Marathon. They all went above and beyond their own personal goals, as they championed our charitable cause and celebrated both personal and fundraising goals in the process. For Izzy, the marathon was a monumental milestone. Balancing training and her dissertation, she embraced the challenge of her first marathon with unwavering determination and resilience, and we are so proud of her personal and academic success.

Experienced marathon runner Jo guided and uplifted Izzy, drawing from her own journey. Together, they showed us all the power of support and shared goals, and the unbreakable bond of mother and daughter that helped them achieve their first marathon together!

the

Coral and Kirsty’s marathon journey added another layer of inspiration. Overcoming logistical hurdles, Coral’s dream aligned with Kirsty’s relentless pursuit of a place in the London marathon. Inspired by family friends who previously ran for Revitalise, they seized the opportunity to make a difference and as part of Coral’s 60th birthday surprise Kirsty secured her mother’s place, meaning they were able to run together as a family.

Having completed the marathon, these family pairs emerged as testaments to their own resilience and strength. Their journeys remind us that the London Marathon offers not only a physical test but also an opportunity to make an enduring impact by raising funds to give more disabled people a respite break.

We currently have places available for the 2024 London Marathon and, if participating in this iconic race is something you have always dreamed of, please don’t hesitate to contact events@revitalise.org.uk for further information.

Izzy & Jo

Coral and Kirsty

‘SIXTY FOR 60 CHALLENGE’

TOcelebrate our 60th anniversary, we’ve come up with 60 ideas to inspire your fundraising and get the ball rolling. All the money you raise will help Revitalise continue to offer urgently needed respite breaks. Whether you run a coffee morning with friends or a fashion show with friends, we’d love for you to get involved.

If you need any help getting started, please contact the fundraising team via fundraising@revitalise.org.uk

Below are a few of the fundraising team’s favourite ideas.

Host a gaming tournament

Charge a small entrance fee and the winner gets a special prize made by you!

Face your fears

Get sponsored to do something that makes your heart beat faster!

Host a film night

Perhaps you could even choose a film with 60 in the title, like ‘Gone in 60 seconds!’.

Endurance challenge

Get friends to sponsor you to take on some ‘60’ related challenges. For example, planking for 60 seconds, every day, for a month, hula hooping for 60 minutes.

Spring clean for Revitalise

Declutter, sell unwanted items and donate the proceeds to Revitalise.

TOP TIP: If you sell your pre-loved gems through Ebay you can choose to donate the proceeds directly to Revitalise. Visit www.ebay.co.uk/str/revitalisecharityshops or call the fundraising team for more information about this or any other idea we can assist you with.

Since Dame Joan Brander helped to establish the Winged Fellowship Trust in 1963, the charity we know today as Revitalise has offered thousands of disabled people an opportunity to access a joy-filled holiday at one of our special holiday centres.

is outstanding. There are no words to describe what a special place it is. You get treated as an individual. Without Revitalise, there’d be nowhere for disabled people and carers to go.”

Lin and Steve are regular visitors to Sandpipers, following Steve’s stroke and their words are exactly why Sandpipers is needed.

0303 303 0145

Revitalise Respite Holidays 240 City Road, London, EC1V 2PR

Registered charity number 295072 Company number 2044219

@RevitaliseCharity /RevitaliseCharity @RevitaliseNow

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