Revitalise
 | |
| Founded | 1963 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Joan Brander MBE |
| Type | Charitable organisation |
| Registration no. | England and Wales: 295072 |
| Focus | Respite Care, Holidays for Disabled |
| Location |
|
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Chris Simmonds (CEO) |
| Slogan | Respite Holidays for Disabled People and Carers |
| Website |
revitalise |
Formerly called | Winged Fellowship Trust (WFT), Vitalise |
Revitalise is a British charity providing respite holidays with care for disabled people and their carers.[1]
Founded by Joan Brander MBE in 1963, Revitalise was formerly known as Vitalise and also the Winged Fellowship Trust.[2]
They currently operate three UK centres which cater for physically disabled people and people with Alzheimer's and Dementia.
In 2014, Revitalise launched its Beyond Respite Capital Appeal, which aims to double the charity’s impact by creating three new centres.
History
Founding Trustee, Joan Brander MBE, set up the Winged Fellowship Trust in 1963 in order to deliver respite for disabled people and their families. From the start, the charity set out to satisfy three main objectives:
- to provide specially designed and equipped centres where physically disabled people could have an enjoyable break and the opportunity to restore their wellbeing and capacity to cope;
- to provide support and a break for family carers – many of whom provide round the clock care for their loved ones;
- to provide residential volunteering opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds in order to enrich the holiday experience of the charity’s guests.
In 2004 the Winged Fellowship Trust became Vitalise. It changed its name again to Revitalise in 2014 to reflect the transformative effect the charity has on people’s lives. Today, the organisation provides around 5,000 respite breaks a year across its centres in Essex, Southampton and Southport, along with 4,000 weeks of volunteering opportunities.[3]
Holiday centres
Revitalise operates three respite holiday centres across England for disabled people and their carers, each offering a wide variety of themed breaks with activities, excursions and entertainment provided, alongside 24-hour on-call nursing care and specialised equipment.[4] They operate for 51 weeks of the year.
Jubilee Lodge Jubilee Lodge is located in Chigwell in Essex. It was the first of the current Revitalise centres to open, built on Grange Farm in place of the charity’s original premises – known as the ‘Pavilion’ – in 1978. Jubilee Lodge is close to famous attractions in London, as well as the seaside resorts of South East England.[5]
Netley Waterside House Netley Waterside House is located in Netley in Southampton and overlooks the tidal estuary Southampton Water. The centre offers direct access to the waterside as well as excursions to many tourist attractions in the Hampshire and South Coast regions.[6]
Sandpipers The Sandpipers centre is located in the seaside town of Southport in Merseyside, next to the Marine Lake. The centre regularly offers trips across North West England to nearby Liverpool, Blackpool and the Lake District, as well as other destinations.[7]
Residential volunteer placements
Revitalise runs one of the largest residential volunteer programmes in the UK, welcoming around 1,500 volunteers across its centres each year. These volunteers play an integral role in assisting guests during their break and creating a sociable holiday atmosphere.
Patrons and celebrity supporters
The charity’s Patron is Samantha Cameron, wife of David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Samantha became Patron in 2013 following her involvement with a successful fundraising event for Revitalise.[8][9]
Alongside its board of trustees, Revitalise also receives support from a number of esteemed individuals and celebrities. Dame Judi Dench, Dame Esther Rantzen and Arthur Smith are among the charity’s Vice Presidents.[10]
References
- ↑ ""About us". Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".
- ↑ ""Our history" Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".
- ↑ ""Disability charity Vitalise rebrands and changes name to Revitalise" Civil Society Retrieved 06 January 2015.".
- ↑ ""Respite holidays" Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".
- ↑ ""Jubilee Lodge" Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".
- ↑ ""Netley Waterside House" Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015".
- ↑ ""Sandpipers" Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".
- ↑ ""Meet Our Patron" Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".
- ↑ ""Samantha Cameron joins in game of boccia with Paralympic athletes". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".
- ↑ ""Meet our Vice Presidents" Revitalise. Retrieved 13 March 2015.".