Brudolff Hotels have been donating short breaks to local unpaid carers through VAS Shetland Carers Respitality Scheme since October 2018. They generously donate weekend overnight bed and breakfast stays, for one or two nights, between October and March which Shetland Carers then pass on to local unpaid carers.

Marjory Barrie explained why they had signed up to Shetland Carers’ Respitality Scheme ‘’ Brudolff Hotels continue to be involve as we recognise being a carer is such a difficult job and they deserve to have a bit of care for themselves. If we can contribute to that in any small way we are happy to help. In addition, it’s local, for Shetland People, so we are keen to look after our own.’’

A carer who enjoyed a weekend stay at the Lerwick Hotel earlier this year said “My two nights in town had a huge impact on me. This was my first social event in two years and friends joined me for dinner at the hotel - it was so good to relax and be social. The change of view looking out at the Knab and having super cooked breakfasts not having to do anything, worry about anything, was amazing and showed me that it is still possible to feel like the ‘old me’ given a chance. The whole of the following week I was much more productive and found myself singing! If I had not experienced the massive positive effect this had on my own mental health and sense of wellbeing I would not have understood just how important initiatives like this are.‘’

Kirsten Harcus, VAS Carer Support Worker said: ‘We want to thank Brudolff hotels for their continued generous support of our Respitality scheme offering breaks to carers for half the year. Carers really benefit by having a respitality break to look forward to and recharge their batteries and they feel valued because a local business has donated the break especially for them.’’

Shetland Carers, a project delivered within Voluntary Action Shetland, want to support you to manage your caring role and have a life alongside caring. They provide information, advice and signposting to local and national organisations who might be able to support you and / or the person you care for. They provide a range of support groups, one to one support, help with emergency planning and access to short breaks. They support young carers, young adult carers and adult carers. Contact them on 01595 743980 or at carers@shetland.org. You can make a referral to the service for yourself or someone else at www.shetlandcarers.org