One in eight of the population cares for a disabled or older spouse or family member and this number is rising rapidly.

They provide round the clock care for their loved ones, often without any kind of break, and with very little support. Many carers become disabled themselves, as a result of the stress.

I work at an accessible centre for disabled people and carers called Vitalise Skylarks in Nottingham, run by the charity Vitalise.

The guests and carers who take breaks here always tell me just how important a break is in their lives. Even just one week a year can make the difference between coping and despair.

We subsidise all our breaks to make them more affordable, but this means we have to rely on the generosity of the public to provide our essential services.

I would like to ask your readers to remember that carers need breaks just as much as the people they care for, and to support our vital work in the region. For more information call 0115 982 0962.

Colin Brook
Vitalise
City Road
London