Holidays

There are many organisations which offer holidays for people who are ill, frail or have a disability, with or without their carers. 

There are also organisations which can help you to plan your own holiday, with advice about travel and insurance for people with special needs.

Your local carers' centre will be able to give you information about holidays and may be able to help you apply for funding.  

Benefits

If you are claiming carer's allowance, you can go on holiday on your own (in the UK or abroad) for four weeks in any six-month period and still get the benefit. You must have been getting carer's allowance for at least 22 weeks before you leave.

If you go abroad with the person you look after and the main reason you are with them is to care for them, you can get your carer's allowance for as long as they continue to get their disability benefit.  For more information, contact your local carers' centre or look on the Department of Work and Pensions website.  

Local support

• carers' centres 
  
  
• Oxfordshire County Council information about breaks for carers
  
  
• British Red Cross: The British Red Cross has a network of medical loan depots which can lend aids and equipment, including wheelchairs.  Your local branch can loan the equipment or put you in touch with a branch near your holiday location 01235 552660. Email: oxon@redcross.org.uk
  
  

National support

• Radar campaigns for better lifestyles for disabled people and their families, and publishes an annual holiday guide for disabled people, with detailed information on around 1,500 places to stay across the UK.  This can be bought via their website.  Your local carers' centre may have a copy. Radar also operates a National Key Scheme (NKS) offering independent access to approximately 4,000 locked public toilets around the UK. 020 7250 3222 or Minicom 020 7250 4119
  
  
• Tripscope offers travel advice and transport information for people who are disabled or have difficulty getting around. 08457 58 56 41
  
  
• Holiday Care offers holiday and travel information for disabled and older people. 0845 124 9971
  
  
• Contact a Family offers information about organising and funding a holiday with your disabled child. Helpline: 0808 808 3555 or Textphone: 0808 808 3556
  
  
• Patient UK
  Nationwide patient information website with information about holidays
  
  
• Door to Door
  A transport and travel website for disabled and less mobile people.