THIS week the charity who offer disabled people and their carers respite holidays at Southport's is set to cease operations in November 2024.

Revitalise was founded in 1963 Winged Fellowship Trust (WFT). In 2004 as the WFT was renamed Vitalise, later it changed name yet again to became Revitalise in 2014. 

The charity has 3 accessible holiday centres in Chigwell in:- Essex, Southampton and Southport, and a Head Office in London. The charity across the UK has 201 to 500 employees. 

The Southport Centre is called Sandpipers offering full board accommodation on the shores of the Marine Lake. With its specialist staff and volunteers, the charity's Short Breaks (Respite Care) were a lifeline to many with disabilities and their families. 

If you are unaware, the venue in Southport has a specially designed heated hydrotherapy pool, and like any normal hotel it has a customer lounge and even a licensed bar. Part of the packages they offered its services users included live entertainment on site, as well as special excursions that offered those using its services the ability to access and explore the local area, as well as the North West's many vibrant cities, even the spectacular Lake District. 

This is a huge blow to the families from all over the UK, especially those within the North West, due to its specialist services not being able in other places. 

In a statement released this week the charity has said:- "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 25 November 2024, 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. 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. It remains our 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. For enquiries or if you are affected by the closure please contact Revitalise via emailing:- Enquiries@Revitalise.Org.UK."

Does this closure affect you? Please let us know what you think about this announcement by leaving a message below or emailing us at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.