Revitalise charity announces closure due to financial issues

Revitalise, a national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and carers, has announced in a Facebook post that it is 'with great sadness' that it is closing.

The post reads: 'It is with great sadness that Revitalise Respite Holidays must announce that the difficult decision has been made to close the charity. Despite every effort to ensure the charity’s survival, the financial challenges we face have become insurmountable.

'It is our intention to honour all guest breaks booked until 25th November; following which our centres will close. We are communicating with all guests with breaks booked beyond that date and with those who have longer term placements.'

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The charity has been operating for 60 years, working as the UK's leading provider of specialist respite holidays.

The Chronicle spoke to the Fair Oak revitalise branch who declined to comment, saying that the shop is open 'seven days a week'.

The Bishop's Waltham branch was seen to have no lights on on Saturday, October 12, but it has not been confirmed whether the shop has yet closed.

Bishops Waltham's Revitalise charity shop (Image: Newsquest) The statement continued: 'Revitalise would like to thank all of our guests for their loyal support throughout the charity’s 60 years of operation. To our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unparalleled efforts and passion for Revitalise’s mission.

'Your contributions have made a tangible difference in helping provide vital respite for disabled people and their carers.

'We are deeply sorry that as the UK’s last remaining provider of holidays with 24-hour care for people with complex disabilities, the breaks we provide will now be beyond reach for the majority of our guests.'

According to the charity commission for England and Wales, Revitalise saw a gross income of £6.90m in the year ending January 2023, and an expenditure of £7.92m.

The charity described a 'critical state of affairs' in the social sector, adding that it is its 'lasting hope' that 'policy makers take heed of the critical state of affairs in the social care sector and ensure that respite is properly funded.'