Support Scotland’s unpaid carers with a virtual visitor experience
Added: 11 May 2021
As visitors start to take advantage of the fact that many of Scotland’s attractions have re-opened, it’s important to remember those who would love to enjoy your visitor experience in person but are unable to visit due to personal circumstances or challenges.
Scotland’s unpaid carers are one such group; their often onerous responsibilities mean they are seldom able to enjoy days out and trips to attractions. Thanks to a pilot project however, these very deserving and often unsung heroes are being given an opportunity to enjoy virtual and online visitor experiences.
The Respitality at Home project- created through a partnership between VisitScotland, Shared Care Scotland and local carers organisations – is calling on tourism businesses to show their support of the country’s carers by offering them a virtual visitor experience.
ASVA is encouraging attraction members that are able to provide virtual tours, events and experiences to get involved in this very worthwhile scheme. Supporting it is a great way to recognise and show appreciation of Scotland’s 1.1 million unpaid carers, for whom short respite breaks are vital for their health and wellbeing.
Feedback from carers who have already enjoy virtual experiences highlight just how much they are valued:
- “It was a really great event and was the first thing my husband and I have been able to do together in many months as one of us is usually caring for our son (to let the other have some time out of caring). It almost felt like a date!” – Tommy Dewar’s Whisky Rambles with Dewars Aberfeldy Distillery
- “It was great to see the animals live, our guide was excellent – a very interactive and fun session which was also educational and relaxing at the same time!” – A Walk on the Wild Side with Edinburgh Zoo
- “I enjoyed learning about the castles with their different styles and hearing about them and the history from the experts” – Know your castles, Historic Environment Scotland
The Respitality at Home pilot – timed to coincide with Carers Week in mid-June – runs until the end of June. You can find out more about the project and how you can get involved by contacting Kerry Donaghy, Respitality Scotland Coordinator on 01383 622462 or respitality@sharedcarescotland.com or Hayley Burton, VOCAL Partnerships Development Officer on 0131 622 6666 or hburton@vocal.org.uk.
Kerry and Hayley would also be pleased to hear from ASVA members interested in discussing future opportunities to support virtual breaks for carers.