To mark this year’s Carers Rights Day 2022 (24th November), Later Living Platform Lottie has pledged 1000 free night stays exclusively for carers across the UK for 2023, as supported by The Care Workers Charity, and endorsed by Strictly Come Dancing Judge Anton Du Beke.

Right now, the social care sector is broken. Consistent underfunding by the Government, a lack of support for unpaid carers, and poor working conditions for care workers means carers across the UK are at breaking point.

There has never been a greater need to support carers, especially as they now face the cost-of-living crisis. New research from Lottie has also found a surge in carers turning to Google for mental health support over the last 12 months* – and this is set to increase even further:
– 1375% increase in online searches for ‘trapped caring for elderly parent UK’
– 200% increase in online searches for ‘parent carer burnout’
– 75% increase in online searches for ‘carer stress syndrome’
To launch this nationwide pledge, Lottie have teamed up with Unplugged, who run a variety of digital detox cabins in the UK countryside, to offer over 30 3-night stays for carers (and a plus one) in need of a break – launching on Carer’s Rights Day 2022 (24th November) – and more giveaways are set to be announced very soon.

Anton Du Beke’s has first-hand experience of the work of carers as his mother worked as a carer and knows how important a role it is. He said: “The majority of adults will care for a family member or friend at some point in their lives, and naturally the impact on a whole range of things are underestimated.

“This initiative is a way of giving much needed respite to carers both paid and unpaid on the frontline”.

Will Donnelly co-founder Lottie said: “We are thankful to Anton for his help in raising awareness of this valuable role that carers play up and down the country day in and day out.

“Despite being a fundamental part of the UK’s healthcare system – especially over the last few years – the UK’s social care workforce are often overworked and underappreciated. Many carers, especially unpaid carers, (someone who cares for a friend or family member due to illness, a disability, or a mental health issue) feel invisible and unrecognised for all that they do”.

“We are incredibly honoured to have Anton’s support to launch our 1000-night pledge. Nights On Lottie is a huge opportunity to raise awareness of our on-going mission to champion the incredible efforts of carers across the UK – and it was inspired by the fantastic work of Nights On Us, who gifted NHS workers free hotel stays during the pandemic”, continued Donnelly.

Hector Hughes, Co-Founder of Unplugged, said: “We started Unplugged to help busy and burnt-out people rest and recharge. Carers are always on and always putting others before themselves. We’re so pleased to be a part of this and to help them switch off in nature for a few days with an Unplugged digital detox.”

Nights On Lottie’s first giveaway with Unplugged will run until midnight on 9th January 2023. Open to anyone who works as a care worker or carer (both paid and unpaid), all you need to do is either nominate yourself, a friend, family member, or colleague, via the online submission form.

33 winners will be chosen at random when the competition ends to win a free 3-night stay at one of Unplugged’s cabins at any time in 2023 (excluding Bank Holidays).

“The support for those on the frontline of the social care sector doesn’t stop there either: we want to continue championing them through our pledge of 1000 free night stays at a variety of hotels and cabins, exclusively for carers and social care workers. Nights On Lottie X Unplugged is only the beginning” concludes Donnelly.

Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers Charity said: “Since 2009, we’ve supported thousands of social care workers through financial hardships, including giving almost £2 million pounds of support to carers via our Emergency Fund grants during 2020*. Unfortunately, unless there is industry-wide change that offers social care workers the help they need, we expect the number of carers we help to significantly rise over the winter months. Every bit helps, and we are delighted to support Lottie’s mission to champion the incredible efforts of carers across the UK”.

Night’s On Lottie’s first pledge of 100 free night stays with Unplugged officially launches on 23rd November to mark Carers Rights Day 2022 (24th November).

To nominate your own Nights on Lottie carer, visit lottie.org/nights-on-lottie/