UNISON Welfare

Wellbeing breaks

We are aware of the pressures on UNISON members and the many obstacles to achieving a happy and healthy work life balance. Our well being breaks can provide welcome relief from the stresses of daily life and the space and time to reflect away from difficult or depressing circumstances.

We can help with all or part of the costs of a break depending on your financial situation.

The wellbeing breaks include:

  • family holidays and outings
  • get well breaks
  • breaks in other special circumstances e.g. for carers and following bereavement
The breaks are delivered in partnership with the Family Holiday Association, a national charity that specialises in providing holidays for families in need. For example, they can arrange a stay in self-catering accommodation in a chalet or caravan at selected UK holiday centres. UNISON’s award winning Croyde Bay holiday village in Devon is a popular destination with members. Alternatively, you can organise accommodation of your own choosing in the UK.

Family holidays

They are designed to provide a holiday for members and their families who are experiencing difficult circumstances and who have not had a holiday for at least four years.

Although the holidays are normally for one week we recognise that family circumstances sometimes mean a shorter break of three or four nights is preferred. We can also help with day trips or leisure outings.

Get well breaks

Our get well breaks are designed to support any members with or without children, or their dependants, who are recovering from illness (including stress), accident or an operation and who are not in need of nursing care.

We recognise that ill health can sometimes impact on the whole family and that there will be occasions when it will be beneficial for the person who is ill and the whole family to get away together.

The service is flexible depending on your needs with a choice of accommodation such as hotels and guest houses or traditional convalescent facilities and shorter breaks.

Other special circumstances

We can provide respite breaks for carers with day to day responsibility for a disabled dependant and breaks following bereavement of a partner or dependant child. Breaks are also available for those with a terminal illness.

This is only a summary of the information available. Please refer to the wellbeing breaks application form and accompanying guidance notes before making your application.

Full colour wellbeing breaks application form and guidance notes
Link to a PDF document on this siteAcrobat PDF version

Printer friendly application form
Link to a PDF document on this siteAcrobat PDF version

Printer friendly guidance notes
Link to a PDF document on this siteAcrobat PDF version

To obtain a copy of the application form and guidance notes in the post and for all other enquiries e-mail welfare@unison.co.uk or telephone our general enquiry line on 020 7551 1620

"So restful and peaceful away from everybody and everyday life." photograph