It'll be lonely for carers this Christmas, finds new study by local charity Revitalise

ON the eve of Festive Season, disability charity finds carers feel exhausted, sleep deprived and lonely. With many of us looking forward to enjoying the festivities this holiday season, a new study by local disability charity Revitalise, which runs the Sandpipers respite holiday centre in Southport, has worryingly revealed that many carers have far less reason to be jolly this Christmas.

The charity's research found that 37% of the UK's carers will be lonely, 30% of whom were aged 70 or over. Worse still, at a time when most people are looking forward to relaxing with family and friends, the Revitalise study found that 60% of carers feel unable to 'switch off' from their caring role, with 69% saying they are always tired, feel mentally exhausted (63%) and 61% admitting they have trouble sleeping.  And, with the New Year fast approaching, it's evident that the plight of unpaid carers all across the UK does not lend itself to an optimistic outlook for the future either. 52% of carers did not know how they would be able to cope if things continued the way they were. 40% also expressed concerns that they would end up ill, in chronic pain or disabled themselves; not surprising since 55% of carers had been caring for 10 years or more and a shocking 45% had sustained injuries or chronic health conditions as a direct result of caring, the survey revealed.

In light of the study's findings, Revitalise is calling for more funding from central government to enable local authorities to give unpaid carers all the support they need and is renewing its call for sufficient funding for respite breaks to be a fundamental element of all social care provision. Revitalise is also delighted to have the support of Revitalise Vice President, Dame Esther Rantzen, who is fronting the charity's 2016 Christmas Campaign:- 'Shining a light on loneliness.' Those wishing to make a donation to Revitalise's work are kindly asked to go online.  Every penny donated will go into the Revitalise Support Fund to help those struggling to afford a break. Picking up on the key issue of loneliness, Dame Esther Rantzen, added:- "It is thanks to the dedication and commitment of the 6.5 million carers in the UK that not only are our parents, siblings and children looked after with love and compassion, but also the UK economy benefits enormously. So it is somewhat depressing to find that 4 out of 10 carers feel lonely. This feeling of isolation must be felt even more keenly at Christmas, a time of year devoted to family and togetherness. That's why I'm urging you to support Revitalise's campaign to give unpaid carers the recognition they deserve and help combat the damaging effects of loneliness. Please, give what you can; and help us rekindle the true spirit of Christmas."

Revitalise is a national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and carers. Revitalise provides short breaks, with 24 hour nurse led care on call and personal support, at Sandpipers in Southport and 2 other accessible centres in Chigwell in Essex and Southampton. Each centre offers a wide range of accessible activities and excursions in a holiday environment.

'None For The Road' this festive period

MERSEYSIDE Police are strongly urging the region's motorists to heed advice and have 'None For The Road' over the festive period. Already during this December's Police Operation, 105 people have been arrested for drink and drug driving. The Operation began on 1 December 2016, and to date 54 drink driving and 51 drug driving offences have been identified with 40 arrests last weekend alone. During the whole of the 2015 operation (across December 2015), only 66 drug drivers were arrested. Inspector Keith Kellett from Merseyside Police Roads Policing Unit said:- "We are less than half of the way into this year's operation and already over 100 people have been arrested. The reality is that this is 100 people who have ruined their own Christmases and those of their families, not to mention the huge dangers they pose on the roads. The incident in Walton at the weekend where a suspected drink driver crashed into a house on the corner of Grandison Road and Lauriston Road, is just 1 example of the huge dangers that drink and drug driving can pose. We are determined to make Merseyside as safe as possible by removing these people from the roads. Whether motorists are ignorant of the laws or are confident that they will not be stopped, I want to make it clear that our patrols will continue across the force and we are carrying out hundreds of breath and drug tests every day, including in the early mornings to ensure people driving the morning after a night out are also on our radar. If you know or suspect anyone of being a drink or drug driver, please report any concerns on:- 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111 and we can take immediate action."