Group
Breaks
Manchester Carers' Forum
has arranged group breaks for Carers at various locations
since 2001. The purpose of the group break initiative is to
enable Carers to access a complete break from their Caring
responsibilities and so concentrate on themselves for a change.
The breaks that we provide are unstructured and no activities
are organised by ourselves so that Carers can choose for themselves
how to spend their free time. The breaks are totally free
of charge for carers who reside in Manchester and this includes
the cost of dinner, bed, breakfast and travel costs therefore
carers only need to finance personal spending and lunch if
required. To enable Carers to take these breaks Manchester
Carers Forum also provides travel expenses and respite expenses
at £60.00 per day.
York
We have organised
a new two night break to York on the 27th March. This break,
as with the previous break to Leeds comprises a theatre element
that the successful applicants can access on the saturday
night. The show we have booked is a performance called Pop
Goes The 80's which is a musical that celebrates the music
of the 1980's. The show also has an element of audience participation
so all carers can get involved and have a good sing-a-long.
We will be staying at the Hotel 53 which is a new hotel that
has come highly recommended from various sources.
| Leeds |
This was the
most recent carers break which took place in Leeds and
was especially designed for working carers. MCF took
carers on a two night break. We stayed at the Queens
Hotel , which is situated in the centre of Leeds. This
break also gave carers the opportunity to access a theatre
break. Carers were able to watch Animal Farm by George
Orwell.
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Birmingham
This carers group
break opportunity took place on the 13th June 2008. This was
a 3 night dinner, bed and breakfast break at the fantastic
Copthorne Hotel which is situated in the centre of the city
centre. We were close to the local attractions such as the
Bullring shopping centre, the Watersedge development and local
theatres and concert halls.
Carers
Ideas for Group Breaks
Do
you have any ideas, suggestions or recommendations for the
next group break? As you may be aware in the past we
have visited places such as London, Oxford, Edinburgh, Filey,
Blackpool, Llandudno and more recently Lincoln and Cardiff.
Do these places interest you or can you suggest anywhere else
that we have not yet visited?
As
we plan these breaks for the enjoyment and relaxation of carers,
it is important to us that we organise the kind of breaks
that you, as carers want.
If you
do have any ideas on locations, hotels, time of year, length
of break etc please email Rick
with your suggestions.
Glasgow
- February 2008
The next stage of
the exciting Manchester Carers Forum 'Group Breaks Initiative'
sees the Forum heading north of the border to Bonny Scotland.
More specifically we are visiting Glasgow for three nights
between Friday the 8th and Monday the 11th February. We are
staying at the Holiday Inn which is situated in the Theatreland
district of the city and this is walking distance from the
city centre. As usual we will be taking a group of 40 carers
as well as Rick and Hugh and a few trustees.
Nottingham
- September 2007
This carers break
took place at the end of September 2007. Carers enjoyed the
luxury of the Jury's Inn which is situated in the heart of
Nottingham.
This three night
break allowed carers to explore Nottingham which is rich in
history and offers fantastic shopping and cultural events.
Some of the attractions included Nottingham Castle, Nottingham
Playhouse and a range of cultural entertainments.
| Lincoln
- June 2007 |
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This
carers break took place in June 2007 at the Courtyard
Lincoln Hotel which is situated in the centre of Lincoln.
Carers were given a three night break, which included
dinner, bed and breakfast.
Carers
were given the opportunity to visit tourist attractions
such as Lincoln Cathedral, Brayford Marina and Lincoln
Castle.
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| Cardiff
- March 2007 |
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This carers break took place in March 2007. The carers
went to the Paramount Angel Hotel, which is located
in Cardiff city centre for three nights.
One of the many attractions in Cardiff
includes St Fagan's which is one of Europe's foremost
open-air museums. It stands on the grounds of St Fagan's
castle a late 16th century manor house.
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| London
- September 2006
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A group of 40 carers went away for a 3 night stay
in St Giles Hotel. Good feedback was received about
this break
This break
allowed carers to go shopping on Camden market and on
Oxford street, sightseeing, watching West end theatre
shows and visiting Madame Tussaud's wax museum. |
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| Llandudno
- June 2006 |
A group of
40 carers went away for a 3 night stay in All Seasons
Hotel. This break was enjoyed by all.
The weather
was especially hot on this break giving everyone the
opportunity to sunbathe and some carers also took a
trip to Conwy Castle. |
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A
group of 40 carers went away for a 3 night stay in York's
Monkbar Hotel. The break was reported to be highly
enjoyable.
The
break allowed carers to view York's heritage and partake
in various walks and local visits i.e. York's Jorvic
Viking Centre. |
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| Oxford
- January 2006 |
A
group of 40 carers went away for a weekend break to
Oxford. The break offered the carers a 3 night
stay in the Best Western Linton Lodge Hotel. Situated
in quiet leafy suburbs just one mile from the city centre.
The Best Western Linton Lodge Hotel was an excellent
location for our carers to rest and relax in.
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| Edinburgh
- November 2005 |
A
group of 40 carers went away for a weekend break to
central Edinburgh. Here carers stayed in Edinburgh's
4 star Point Hotel, located in the shadow of Edinburgh
castle and just minutes away from the financial district,
shopping areas, courts and the Edinburgh International
Conference Centre. |
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Ampleforth
Abbey - April 2005
A
group of Carers went for a weekend break at Ampleforth
Abbey situated in York.
Ampleforth
is a Roman Catholic Benedicitine monastery and a
public school.
Carers
had the opportunity to take a break and enjoy peace
and stillness.
The
break also allowed carers to explore their own sprituality.
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Ripon
Spa Hotel - March 2005 |
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Llandudno-
Oct 2004 & June 2006 |
A
break was arranged at the 'Ripon Spa Hotel' in March
2005. It is a beautiful Edwardian house situated
in the countryside.
Set in seven acres of landscaped, award winning
gardens and within five minutes walking distance
from the Ripon cathedral and the ancient city of
Ripon. Many of our carers reported that it was an
enjoyable experience.
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In
October 2004, we took our members for a weekend
break to Llandudno in North Wales at the 'All Seasons
Hotel', which sits at the base of Great Orme.
The
break gave a chance for our members to re-energise
themselves from their caring responsibilities and
gave them the opportunity to explore the famous
bays of Llandudno.
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Carers
Retreats in conjunction with the Manchester Buddhist Centre
The Carers Forum has been working
together with the Buddhist Centre to set up Weekend Retreats
for Carers. The whole idea for these retreat weekends is that
carers in Manchester get the opportunity to remove themselves
from their Caring responsibilities and concentrate on relaxation.
Manchester Buddhist Centre is responsible for the activities
on offer during the weekends and these include Meditation,
Yoga and Shiatsu.
The members of the Buddhist Centre
are also responsible for preparing and cooking all meals for
the carers on the trip as well as making all other refreshments
such as tea and coffee. This ensures that the Carers do not
lift a finger and so experience complete relaxation while
away from home.
These retreat weekends
usually run from Fridays to Sundays and are therefore only
two night breaks. Currently the breaks take place at either
the Haybergill Centre in Cumbria or Unstone Grange in Derbyshire.
The last break took place in November 2007 and was a tremendous
success in terms of numbers and enjoyment.
Again travel expenses
and respite costs of £60.00 a day are available to enable
carers to attend the breaks.
For further information
please contact The Manchester Buddhist Centre on 0161-834-9232.
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