A Bit of a Break is growing a portfolio of gifted, unfilled weeks in self-catering cottages, to offer families living with terminal illness a chance to spend time with their loved ones in beautiful places.
We then match the needs of our referred guests with a suitable property, at a time convenient for them.
Although we ask property owners to gift the week in their holiday property, we pay them for their overhead costs to cover cleaning, laundry and heating costs.
Guests
These are people who need a break, to get some space, without the worry and risk of committing to booking a holiday when life isn’t so straightforward.
Patients must be referred to us by our nominated referral partners who are health or social care professionals. At present we only work with selected teams in West and North Yorkshire, Manchester and Liverpool areas although we hope to expand our reach.
Referral Partners
Patients must be referred to us by one of by our nominated referral partners who are Health or Social Care professionals we work directly with to ensure that we understand the needs of our guests and can match them with a suitable property. Our current referral routes are:
Shipley Medical Practice – Affinity Care PCN
HODU, Airedale Hospital
The Haematology and Oncology Daycare Unit (HODU) at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust offers day case chemotherapy to patients.
Bingley Medical Practice – Bingley Bubble PCN
In 2021 Bingley Medical Practice became our first primary care provider to become a referral partners with the aim of reaching patients sooner after diagnosis.
Calderdale Council, Adult Social Services – Palliative Care Team
Carers Plus, Yorkshire
Carers Plus Yorkshire supports Adult carers across Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale and East Riding as well as a team covering Hambleton and Richmondshire districts.
The Carers Resource, Skipton
Carers’ Resource is a Yorkshire Charity that supports unpaid carers. They provide information, advice and support to carers, to the people they care for and to professionals who work with them.
Macmillan Cancer Support (North Mersey) with Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT
Following a two-year trial in the Knowsley area of Liverpool, this post has been expanded to the North Mersey region. It aims to offer better support for patients who have been newly diagnosed with a serious condition.
Macmillan Community Palliative Care Team (Central Manchester and North Manchester Hubs) with Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT
Marie Curie, Bradford Hospice
The hospice offers specialist care for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses and support for families. The hospice has a 16 bed in-patient unit and also provides day services.
Kilmeny Medical Practice – Modality PCN
Sue Ryder – Manorlands Hospice, Bradford
Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, near Keighley, provides expert palliative care, advice and support for people across Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven and North and West Bradford, who are living with life-limiting conditions.
Woodlands Hospice, Liverpool
Woodlands Hospice is an independent registered charity set up as a direct response to the needs of local people living with cancer. The experiences of General Practitioners, Macmillan nurses and hospital staff identified the need for a facility for the care and support of those with life-threatening illnesses in North Liverpool.
Willowbrook Hospice, Liverpool
Willowbrook Hospice is an independent UK charity formed in 1993 to establish and create a local, specialist palliative care unit for the community of Knowsley, Merseyside.
If you are a Health or Social Care Professional from one of the above organisations who would like to refer someone please download the form here:
If you are interested in becoming one of our referral partners, please contact rachel@abitofabreak.com for more information.
Property Partners
We have over 50 properties available to us in Northumberland, the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire Coast, The North West (Blackpool and Cheshire), Wales and Scotland. However we are always on the lookout for more!
Properties are usually offered for one or two weeks a year, often off-season but where there is an unfilled week at peak times, we might use them at very short notice – just 2 or 3 week’s off. If you have a holiday property and could spare us a week, please get in touch with paula@abitofabreak.com for more information about how it all works.
We couldn’t do it all without the generosity of organisations who have completely bought in to the concept of A Bit of a Break and helped us in many different ways. If you think you could be a supporter, please contact paula@abitofabreak.com for more information.
Established in 1998, Coquet Cottages is a family-run holiday letting agency with over 140 unique privately owned luxury holiday properties in Northumberland.
Five properties have been offered to A Bit of a Break for the benefit of our referred guests. Thank you Coquet Cottages for helping to make this possible!
Based in Skipton, North Yorkshire The Principle Trust Children’s Charity aims to help improve the quality of life of children from across Yorkshire who are underprivileged, disadvantaged and disabled through the provision of free holidays at its caravans and lodges in the Lake District.
Each year a few weeks are made available to eligible families who have been referred to A Bit of a Break! Thank you Principle Trust!
Little Hideaways is a collection of family-owned holiday properties in the heart of Northumberland. Five hidden gems located in Seahouses and an awe-inspiring rural idle in the heart of the Northumbrian countryside. All their cottages offer cosy, charming stays, close to award-winning unspoilt beaches, ancient castles and access to stunning wildlife on the doorstep.
Thankyou Little Hideaways!
Ty Cerrig on Anglesey, North Wales is the newest addition to our portfolio. A hidden gem and perfectly situated on a quiet country lane in the small village of Gwalchmai, approximately five miles from the coast and nearby beaches at Aberffraw and Rhosneigr.
Easy to reach and a superb retreat, Ty Cerrig (which means ’stone cottage’ in Welsh) provides the perfect homely base for a break. This dog-friendly cottage (which sleeps 6) is ideally located to explore the beautiful local beaches, the Anglesey Coastal path and the stunning countryside.
Thankyou Ty Cerrig!
Testimonials
Research Evidence
Click on the image to read about the research evidence for the benefits of holidays for those living with a terminal illness
Latest News
Thank you23rd October 2024 - 9:48 am
Intrepid runners complete the Great North Run for ABOAB9th September 2024 - 5:17 pm
Lucy completes 100km Ultramarathon for ABOAB8th July 2024 - 12:32 pm
Lake District National ParkGiving people living with terminal illness time away in beautiful places29th February 2024 - 9:42 am
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