Wall of Love

It was a tremendous feeling of being free, not tied to my chores, something to look forward to and an eagerness to be there. I had a lovely stay, and the hotel staff were all very supportive and professional. I felt my shoulders relax in those surroundings and in the swimming pool I thought to myself, "What bliss". How nice it is to do things I used to do for myself, like swimming with no worry of timing for dinner, medication and routine. I felt "me ". Furthermore, it has been a tremendous welcome break without the financial burden. Exploring a new area made me feel good as I learnt something new, gaining new knowledge about the cathedrals and museums. This gave me satisfaction about me gaining new knowledge and the freedom to take time and read. I rarely have time to read at home, always giving it last priority and running out of time in my day and being too tired at the end of the day. I felt "lifted"and relaxed walking in the park, chatting with other walkers and picking conkers. Being in the hotel kinda gave me permission to have relaxing treatments. I allowed myself to be treated. I want to thank the hotel - the McKeever group for their contribution to well-being for carers. It seems that it is one of the few, and I am very grateful to them and Carefree for making this break possible.

My break was important to me because I never go anywhere and it was so nice to be pampered. I had a beautiful room and used the swimming pool & steam room. It was so nice to have time to myself and reflect on my own life. That evening I had a meal in the restaurant. It was delicious and the staff could not be nicer. Overall, it was a luxury experience.

It was great to get away and relax 'recharging the batteries ' Everything about the hotel was lovely. Nice restaurant and great breakfast

This was a lovely break. I travelled by bus from home, and my friend travelled from London, and we met in Belfast. The hotel was a bus ride out of Belfast. It was a lovely stay, with friendly staff, great food, and a comfy bed. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and it was wonderful to have a night away in August, as these nights are not often available on Carefree. It was great to meet my friend, enjoy a lovely night in a beautiful hotel, and have a great catch-up and a great laugh.

We had a wonderful stay at Armagh City Hotel. The room was very comfortable, and we especially enjoyed using the pool and leisure facilities. Most importantly, the break gave me valuable time to relax and reconnect with my partner. As someone with caring responsibilities, opportunities to properly rest and spend quality time together can be very difficult to find. This was a break we would not otherwise have been able to afford, so the support from Carefree made a genuine difference to us. We returned home feeling rested and refreshed. We are incredibly grateful for the experience and for the chance to step away from our usual responsibilities for a little while. Thank you.

My son’s health is unstable, I’m on 24 hr call with him & I find it difficult to leave him for long. It was very relaxing to have a night off & just chill out, knowing that I wasn’t too far from home if a problem arose. Thank you, I look forward to further breaks.

It was lovely to be able to have my break close to home, so that I could have gone home if needed. This helped my own anxiety about being away. The hotel was lovely and relaxed, with several resident peacocks walking around the grounds. The room had everything we needed, and the breakfast was fantastic. The staff were very nice and attentive. We enjoyed some walks nearby as the hotel is in a lovely, countryside location. We came home very refreshed, and since coming home, I have felt refreshed and with more energy for my caring role.

It was a chance to get away from the house. A brief chance to switch off. Not to look at all the tidying and cleaning. Be served breakfast without having to prepare or clean up. Not having to clean a bathroom. HUGE thank you. Getting the chance to have a swim and a massage. Huge treat to myself. I feel the benefit.

I haven't been away from my son for years. I'd forgotten how to be Sharon, instead of MUM, it was so strange thinking about what I wanted to do, instead of what I had to do. My son phoned before I had left, panicking as he had lost his glasses & was demanding that I go to his house to find them for him, as I wasn't there, his sister went instead. I almost felt guilty for leaving him, but Amanda told me to go, she would make sure he was ok. He was. The hotel staff were wonderful, nothing was too much trouble. The food was delicious, the bed was so comfortable & the staff were fantastic. I felt like a person, not a carer, not a mum, not a useful/helpful individual. Nikki, the receptionist, was so helpful & kind with directions to local activities & places of interest. I loved the 2 days away. Thank you so much.

I like to have alone time, and as a carer I don't get that anymore, so using Carefree for a much-needed break was worthwhile for my mental health. It enabled me to access some me time and have some personal space. I felt refreshed after my stay and felt like I was in a better headspace to look after other people. The hotel staff were great, and the facilities were also good. Everyone was very helpful. I'd definitely stay at the hotel again. It was a positive experience.

I usually take one of my older children away with me (as my husband is the only other person that can care for my child with disabilities overnight), and it is a much-needed and beautifully relaxing time for me and whomever I bring, away from the constant demands created by their sibling's needs.

This break was really important to me because it gave me the chance to step away from a very stressful situation at home and have some time to rest and recharge. It helped me clear my mind, reduce my stress, and feel calmer. Spending time in a different environment made a real difference to my wellbeing and gave me the strength to cope better when I returned home. The hotel staff were welcoming, kind, and helpful throughout my stay. The room was comfortable, clean, and peaceful, which made it much easier to relax. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have this break and would like to thank everyone at the hotel for their hospitality and for making my stay so enjoyable.

My first ever Carefree Break was a great success! I just wish I’d stayed longer. It gave me time to just be with myself without the demands. It was nice to have time to myself and focus on me, if only for a short while. I will definitely be rebooking that particular hotel too.

Thank you. This break gave me some precious mother and daughter time. The hotel was beside shops and a cinema. The staff at the hotel were welcoming, friendly, and helpful.

It was a very enjoyable stay at a lovely hotel with great service. Lovely food at the hotel. The break was important as it was good to get away for a couple of nights and relax without the pressure of caring, and the good weather helped a lot.

We had such a relaxing time. My husband and I actually got to speak to each other and enjoy each other’s company without having to deal with family life. Thank you so very much, I really appreciated the opportunity to pause and reflect x

Really appreciate these breaks, such a great idea. I definitely need some time away as caring can be overwhelming.

I had a 2-night break, and although my husband stayed home and cared for our two disabled children, I managed to enjoy the first night solo and the second night my sister joined me. The night alone was invaluable. I had a lot of time to think to myself, which gave me great perspective on our caring situation and helped to bolster my capacity and realise that I’m doing a great job. My second night was fun with my sister, and I really felt like the old me before all my current responsibilities. The hotel staff were lovely. The receptionist upgraded my room (at a fee) to one of their spa garden rooms. This really ended up being a luxury break and allowed me to reset and build energy to manage my caring role much better.

From arrival, the staff were lovely - friendly and helpful. We requested a quiet room, and we got exactly that. The room was lovely - clean and modern. We had a wonderful night away just thinking about ourselves for once! Breakfast was absolutely delicious the next morning, overlooking the Six Mile River and watching the peacocks in the garden! I’m so glad Carefree have been able to secure McKeever hotels as it has really opened up the booking process. We will definitely be availing of another break when we can. Thank you for facilitating a lovely break. 🤗

The short break was lovely. I enjoyed some precious moments of time. It made me feel better, with renewed energy. The hotel was amazing, and the staff and customers were friendly and helpful. Thank you so much for the opportunity and your support.

In appreciation of the hotel for joining this community initiative and to the Carefree platform and team. The Dunsilly hotel was a wonderful experience and the change of scenery from the intensity of caring did me the world of good - I got time to myself to chill - I even managed to open a book and I got caught up with friends too.

It was a beautiful, welcoming experience. We had a beautiful executive suite with use of the gym, pool, jacuzzi, and steam room. I'm not a regular gym goer, but to go and get the endorphins awakened, and then relax in the pool and jacuzzi was so wonderful. I feel like my personality is back, I've recently been feeling so lost and unrecognisable. I feel renewed and focused. The staff at Dunadry Hotel And Gardens were wonderful, helpful, and welcoming. The food was beautiful, the room warm and clean with complimentary tea and coffee available in the room. Robes and slippers for extra comfort that we both enjoyed. I can't thank you enough for a much-needed service. Looking forward to another stay.

A friend and I (both carers for our children with additional needs) had a lovely 2-night break, approx 1.5 hours from home. We were able to relax, eat, shop and sleep well, lots of laughs were had. What a wonderful charity, and thanks to the hotel for donating the stays.

It was lovely to spend time with my husband it was our wedding anniversary

The break was so important to me as I was suffering from caregiver burnout. I was noticing the signs & needed to contact my GP- I've had burnout last year & I was ill for 6 weeks- most of those weeks I was continuing to try to care for my mother. The break meant that my husband & I could have time to spend relaxing without caring for a day. This helped me to get some rest. The Armagh City Hotel was amazing- the reception & restaurant staff were so friendly & welcoming, and the food was very good. The hotel room was really nice too. Thank you very much for providing a room for a brilliant break.