Celebrating 10 Years of Respitality

Respitality turns 10! Decorative Graphic

To celebrate 10 years of Respitality, staff from the Short Breaks Team and Shared Care Scotland invited local carers to join them at the V&A for a guided tour of the incredible Garden Futures: Designing with Nature exhibition, followed by a crafting session and a walk along the Riverside.

photo 1: Group photo of carers and Dundee Carers Centre staff outside the V&A Photo 2: View of un[aid carers getting a tour round the V&A Dundee exhibition. Photo 3: Leanne, Lisa and Marthe from the Short Breaks team standing on a thick rug display at the V&A exhibition.

Respitality is a simple yet powerful initiative which offers unpaid carers in Scotland a much-needed break through meaningful connections with local hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses who are willing to donate a break free of charge.

Respitality is a Scottish Government-supported project delivered locally by Dundee Carers Centre and coordinated nationally by Shared Care Scotland. The term blends ‘respite’ and ‘hospitality’, uniting two sectors to enhance the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers.

Dundee Carers Centre have been proudly working with local businesses since 2016 to encourage the donation of short breaks for unpaid carers. Through these generous contributions, we have been able to match countless carers with much-needed time to rest and recharge. We are incredibly grateful to all the amazing businesses that have supported this initiative over the years and in years to come!
Marthe Hastie, Team Leader

Regular and meaningful breaks are essential for the mental and physical wellbeing of unpaid carers in our communities. Being able to offer these opportunities through Scotland’s tourism and cultural sector shows how travel and culture can be truly life-enhancing for those who need it most. The commitment from Dundee Carers Centre and the V&A team is a powerful example of how inclusive, community-focused tourism can make a real difference.
Kerry Sloan, Respitality Manager

To celebrate Respitality’s 10th birthday, Dundee Carers Centre hosted a day out at the V&A. A long-time supporter of Respitality, the V&A has kindly offered unpaid carers a guided tour of the exhibition, a creative workshop, and refreshments to round off the day.

At V&A Dundee, we’re proud to support Respitality and feel truly honoured to play even a small part in such an inspiring initiative. As Scotland’s Design Museum, we believe in the power of creativity to offer moments of rest, reflection, and connection. It’s a joy to help celebrate the incredible milestone of 10 years of Respitality and all the positive impact it continues to make.
Amy Jones, Communities Producer at the V&A

If you are a business and would like to donate a short break, please email [email protected] or phone 01382 200422

To find out more about Respitality, click here.