A winter delight

Carly's story

"I didn't realise this was possible; that businesses do this, it's so kind."

Carly was offered a 7-night self-catering stay at Wyndham Duchally Estate, thanks to the donation from their charity partner IDILIQ Holidays in November 2024. Carly was in desperate need of time away from her home and caring responsibilities. However, due to her caring role, Carly and her husband were never able to leave the person they provide care to for more than a day or two at a time. She felt frustrated and tired and didn’t think that she would experience a proper holiday again. 

Carly said that when she was offered a break it was very exciting. The thought of a business donating a whole week for free was unbelievable to her. “I can’t actually believe that this was being offered to us.” Carly knew that due to her caring role, she would be unable to stay for the full week. However, Duchally Country Estate was close enough to her home that she was able to travel back and forward to maintain her caring responsibilities. Carly felt that the break was matched well to her, that her caring responsibilities were taken into consideration when the break was offered to her and because of the flexibility of the break, they ended up staying longer than expected.

The location itself was perfect - it was peaceful and quiet. Carly said that the surroundings were beautiful. “It was the perfect time to go too, they had all of their Christmas trees and decorations out”. The estate is in the countryside, and she was able to go walking for some fresh air. Whilst they didn’t venture off the property, it was very big so there were lots of places to explore. Carly and her husband were able to spend a day in Auchterarder, as well as travelling to Perth and Crieff for days out. She felt that it was nice to be able to spend some time together as a couple, to chat and relax without the stress of their caring roles. The lodge was well catered, and they had everything that they needed. The staff were very friendly and helpful, which made her break even better. Carly loved the peace and quiet, “it was nice to be able to watch rubbish on the TV without interruptions”.

The person that Carly cares for has trouble with sleep and has flipped her sleeping pattern, turning day into night. Carly and her husband rarely get a full night’s sleep, so their break away to Duchally lodge was a real treat as they were able to sleep all night, leaving them feeling refreshed.

Carly said that when it came to the end of her break, she didn’t want to go home, “I wanted to stay there forever”. She felt like she had a good break, despite not being able to stay at the lodge every night. She enjoyed having the freedom to do her own thing and enjoy some time away from her caring role. Coming back from her break reinforced the importance of finding a way to have a proper holiday from time to time, as they were left feeling so relaxed and refreshed. Carly said that this break was something they never would have booked for themselves, and they had never been on a break like this before. As the break was booked by the carers’ centre, it took the pressure off: “the break was offered, we went for it, and we arrived! Everything was perfect”.

Carly was “blown away by the opportunity” - she couldn’t believe she was offered something she knew would have been expensive to book herself. “The main thing for me was the kindness of companies and businesses who would care so much about carers that they would offer such fantastic opportunities. Unless you’re a carer or are involved with carers, I don’t think you can explain the gratitude to a business that would be kind enough to offer it”. 

*To protect anonymity, the name of the carer has been changed.