Shetland Carers co-ordinate the Scheme locally, with support from Shared Care Scotland, who now support carer centres in 22 local authority areas to run Respitality Schemes.

Respitality (respite + hospitality) is a way the hospitality and leisure sector can help their local communities by recognising and appreciating the contribution of unpaid carers, by donating short breaks to carers at quieter times of the year.

This enables a carer, plus a companion where possible, to have a break away from their caring responsibilities to recharge their batteries and have a little time for themselves.

Shetland Jewellery are a new donor to the Respitality Scheme and Shetland Carers are delighted to have them onboard! Shetland Jewellery very kindly donated a jewellery class to the Scheme, for a carer to take part in and create their own stacking ring set. This jewellery workshop was then awarded to a carer who throughly enjoyed the experience and an afternoon out from their caring role.

Thank you, I can’t tell you how much of a difference a day like this makes and how much I appreciated it!

For more information about the Scheme, visit www.shetlandcarers.com/respitality

To sign up to the Scheme, either as a carer or a Gift Provider, please contact carers@shetland.org or tel: 01595 743923.

Amanda Brown from Shetland Carers, with Sophie Whitehead of Shetland Jewellery.