The power of being seen

The Smith family's story

The Smith family has faced significant challenges, and Anna* (17 years old) has taken on the role of a young carer to assist her father, James. 

Anna’s mother works full time, while James struggles with significant physical health challenges that limit his ability to work or contribute to household tasks. 
 
Anna youngest brother requires considerable ongoing care and support, as he has Down syndrome, is hearing impaired and non-verbal.

The family recently relocated from the south to the northeast of Glasgow in search of a larger home to accommodate their needs. Anna faced an arduous two-hour commute to attend school, leaving her with no opportunity to build friendships or participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs or youth groups. This situation highlights the complex challenges faced by young carers balancing educational aspirations, caregiving duties, and a lack of access to essential resources or social opportunities.

 
The family went on a four night caravan holiday in Glendaruel that was donated to Respitality. They combined their stay with entry to the Benmore Botanical Gardens, which was funded by Shared Care Scotland's Time To Live fund.  
 
Anna said of her Respitality experience “I really enjoyed the relaxation and time out. It was an opportunity to recharge, both physically and mentally, in a welcoming environment where relaxation is the priority. The Respitality break to me and my family gave us the feeling that our caring role is seen, appreciated and supported. 
 
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible Respitality break you generously provided. This experience was truly a breath of fresh air for me and my family, offering a much-needed moment of respite from our daily responsibilities.” 
 
*All names have been anonymised