Southport Liberal Democrats Campaign to Save Revitalise Charity

Southport Liberal Democrats are calling for more support for social care and respite for carers following the announcement that the Revitalise charity will close on 25th November, along with Revitalise Sandpipers holiday centre on Marine Drive.

Revitalise Sandpipers provided much needed respite for disabled people and their carers. Established for 60 years, they were the UK’s last remaining  provider of holidays with 24 hour care for people with complex disabilities.

The charity will close because of financial difficulties. In their announcement the charity said “It remains our lasting hope that policy makers take heed of the critical state of affairs in the social care sector and ensure respite is properly funded”.

Cambridge Ward Councillor Mike Sammon commented “This will be a huge loss to the carers in Southport. Unfortunately, it’s a local example of a national problem that is only going to get worse with no action."

Cambridge Ward Councillor Leo Evans added: “The staff in the Southport home have provided a fantastic service over the years. There is a petition to save the charity and we are asking that people sign it to add their voices and save the vital service.”

Southport Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Spokesperson Erin Harvey commented

“Social care was at the heart of the Lib Dem manifesto at the last election. Properly funding the system will not only give people the care and the dignity they need but will also provide support to the millions of care workers that are often underpaid and unrecognised for the work they do.

“There should be free personal care in England, based in need not ability to pay. The government needs to urgently bring together a cross-party commission to look at social care funding. Getting this right will save places like Revitalise and also ease the immense strain the NHS is under.”

 You can sign the petition to save Revitalise here: https://www.change.org/p/save-revitalise-respite-holidays-for-individuals-with-disabilities-and-their-carers

Photograph of Cambridge Ward Councillors Mike Sammon and Leo Evans outside the home