+++Vital news (page three of seven)


++Funding your break

We take a look at some of the funding options that may enable you to afford that all-important break away from the daily routine.

+Benefits advice
If you’re not sure about what benefits you are entitled to, a great starting point is the freephone Benefits Enquiry Line, run by the Department for Work and Pensions. Call 0800 88 22 00 (text phone 0800 24 33 55).

+How Vitalise shares the load
Through our fundraising and the generosity of supporters, Vitalise is able to subsidise every break it offers, enabling a great many more people to afford essential Vitalise breaks than would otherwise be able to.

People with Alzheimer’s and dementia can benefit from additional subsidies towards the cost of their break. Look out for our special Vitalise Alzheimer’s Weeks throughout the year. For people with multiple sclerosis and their partners, we have MS Society-sponsored rooms at Vitalise Netley and Sandpipers, offering discounts of £100 on the brochure price all year round. Anyone with MS is eligible.

+Did you know?
You can make your Vitalise break more affordable by paying in instalments over a period of months. For new guests who are in particular financial hardship, we can make available discretionary grants through the Joan Brander Memorial Fund. Call 0845 345 1970 for details.

+Some useful resources
Tourism for All has produced a handy 30-page guide to funding respite breaks and holidays, priced £3.50. Call 0845 124 9971 or email info@tourismforall.org.uk for details.

If you’ve served in the Armed Forces, The Royal British Legion is a good place to enquire about funding for breaks. Many other occupational organisations will fund breaks for retired workers through their Welfare and Benevolent funds.

+Other useful organisations
Here are just a few of the many charities offering advice and information on funding for respite breaks:

Citizen’s Advice Bureau has a network of advice centres across the UK
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

DIAL UK provides local disability information and advice on benefits
Call 01302 310 123 or visit www.dialuk.info

Disability Alliance provides advice on social security benefits and tax credits
Call 020 7247 8776 or visit www.disabilityalliance.org

Princess Royal Trust for Carers provides carers support services, including information and advice
Call 0844 800 4361 or visit www.carers.org

Turn 2 Us offers help, information and online support
Call 020 7396 6700 or visit www.turn2us.org.uk