The Respitality programme in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire received tickets for Awakening the Festival in the summer for the second year rrunning.

This event is hosted by Enable Falkirk at Callendar Park, and is Scotland's only music festival exclusively aimed at those with disabilities.

Through this donation, 17 unpaid carers and their families were able to attend the festival, enjoying a fantastic day out with live music, fairground rides, and sensory spaces to explore. One of the unpaid carers was Ava, who sharedher story with us.

Ava is an unpaid carer for her mum, she provides daily support and her caring role can be very tiring. Ava does not feel she ever gets an adequate break from her caring role as she must attend her mums house every day. She often feels tired trying to manage her own life as well as caring for her mum and there are no other family members to help so the full responsibility of the caring role falls solely on the carer.

Prior to the break, Ava was feeling stressed and her mood had been very low for the past few months due to family circumstances. The situation had been affecting both Ava and her mum, causing a lot of distress for both carer and cared for person.

Ava said “myself and my mum tend not to go out very much as with everything that’s going on we are permanently drained”. Alongside this, Ava relies on public transport which can make getting around more difficult. Ava received the tickets and was looking forward to the event as it was something she had never attended before. 

 


She heard good things about the event from other carers who attended in the past and she was excited to try something new. Ava said: “the day was just brilliant from start to finish”. She enjoyed spending time in the sunshine and fresh air with her mum. Ava was able to meet the guest stars from River City and Still Game, and she felt that she and her mum were able to “chill out, relax and actually enjoy [themselves] for once”.

Ava noted that the event was very well organised, and the whole day was a boost for her mental health. She felt that the time out helped her to feel less stressed, and better able to cope with the demands of her caring role.

Ava was so thankful for the tickets to this event and hopes to return to Awakening the Festival next year.