The QHotels Collection has provided more than 6,200 complimentary hotel breaks to unpaid carers since beginning its partnership with charity Carefree in 2022.
More than a third of the stays have taken place during the past year as the hotel group continues to provide vacant accommodation to carers who dedicate significant amounts of time to looking after family members and loved ones.
Through Carefree, eligible adults providing more than 30 hours of unpaid care each week can access an annual hotel break with a companion at a location and time that works for them.
New research among carers who have stayed at The QHotels Collection properties found that more than half had not taken a break away for over three years before their Carefree stay.
Some 87% said they would not have been able to take a break without Carefree, while 94% reported an improvement in their wellbeing.
More than three-quarters, 77%, said they felt less socially isolated following their stay, while one in three felt more able to care for the person or people they support.
Carefree converts vacant hotel accommodation into short breaks for full-time unpaid carers and currently has 43,496 carers registered on its platform.
Jan Lensen, CEO of The QHotels Collection, said: “My colleagues and I are incredibly proud to have supported over 6,200 breaks for unpaid carers since our partnership with Carefree began, with more than a third of those taking place in the last year alone.
“The stories we hear from carers are a powerful reminder of why this work matters, and we’re committed to building on this momentum across our hotels and resorts.”
Miruna Harpa, Director of Delivery at Carefree, said: “Six thousand breaks donated by The QHotels Collection is an extraordinary milestone and one we don’t take for granted.
“Behind that number are thousands of full-time unpaid carers, people who give everything to look after someone they love, who’ve been able to rest, recharge and simply be themselves, often for the first time in years.
“These breaks aren’t a luxury: 77% of carers tell us their break helped prevent them from reaching crisis point and every donated stay creates £2,577 in social value.
“We’re so thankful to have a partner whose generosity proves that doing good and running a great business go hand in hand. The QHotels Collection has set the standard for what hospitality can achieve as a force for good, and we can’t wait to see what we accomplish next together.”
Carers have taken breaks across The QHotels Collection portfolio at properties including Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort and Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.
Joanna, a carer who stayed at Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, said: “I can’t even put into words what good timing this was for me. I was feeling so downtrodden and overwhelmed to the point I was struggling to care for my son and certainly wasn’t caring for myself.
“I was literally at breaking point. The night away gave me space to breathe and truly switch off and relax, which is something I haven’t been able to do since my last Carefree break. I honestly can’t thank you enough.”
Trish, who stayed at Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, added: “I haven’t had a holiday in over 21 years. I am literally on call night and day, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“This break meant the world to me. I can’t even explain how wonderful it made me feel. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”
The QHotels Collection and Carefree partnership will continue to make unused hotel rooms available to eligible unpaid carers across the group’s hotels and resorts.
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