Find a carers break in Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Explore a wide choice of services designed to give carers time to rest and recharge. Whether you need just a few hours away, an overnight stay, or a longer-term arrangement, our Carers Breaks Directory makes it easier to find the right option for you and the person you care for.
We’d really value your feedback—after using the directory, please take a few minutes to complete our short survey. Your views help us improve the support we provide for carers.
You may also find our practical guides helpful:
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Residential Care Home Respite - South Gloucestershire
Various locations
Temporary, short-term placements in a care home as a form of respite.
Break type: Extended Breaks
Cost: Typically £870+
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Respite Association – Breaks for Carers
Penzance (Cornwall), Bridlington (Yorkshire), Towyn (North Wales)
Free week-long self-catering holidays for carers, without the person they care for.
Break type: Extended Breaks
Cost: Free (refundable £50 deposit required)
When: 7-night stays (Saturday to Saturday); 2026 applications open October 2025
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Respite Centres
Multiple Bristol & South Gloucestershire locations
Weekly respite day centres across Bristol and South Gloucestershire offering safe, stimulating and joyful experiences for people living with dementia, while giving carers a well-earned break.
Break type: Extended Breaks
Cost: Please contact Autumn Years Community Care directly for pricing and availability.
When: Each centre runs weekly from 10:00am to 2:00pm, with a two-course lunch included
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Rethink Carers Service Activity groups
Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Activity groups for family & partners of people with mental health needs. Take time out to reset your nervous system, restore your wellbeing and make new connections
Break type: Wellbeing & Therapeutic
Cost: Free
When: Regular sessions throughout the year
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Rethink Carers Service Hub
The Social Café, Cheltenham Road, Bristol
A relaxed monthly drop-in for carers of people facing mental health challenges. Meet others, share experiences, and take a break in a friendly café setting.
Break type: Social & Community
Cost: Free
When: Every third Tuesday from 4:00pm. Staff are present for the first hour; carers are welcome to stay as long as they like.
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Retreat Memory Cafe
Soundwell, Bristol
A warm, welcoming memory café offering support, activities, and connection for people with dementia and their carers in a relaxed, friendly setting.
Break type: Social & Community
Cost: Free (includes refreshments)
When: 10:15am–12:15pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month (excluding Bank Holidays)
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SEND Coffee Mornings/Afternoons
Various locations
Informal sessions for parent carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to meet, share experiences, and access support.
Break type: Social & Community
Cost: Free
When: Kingswood: 1st Thursday of the month, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Patchway: 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Yate: 4th Thursday of the month, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
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Sewing Class
St. Werburghs
Khaas offers popular sewing sessions for BAME carers and families, supporting them to design and make their own outfits through accredited and non-accredited short courses.
Break type: Activity-Based
Cost: Free
When: Wednesday 10.00 – 1pm.
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Shared Lives - Bristol
Bristol
Shared Lives is a service where an approved carer shares their home and family life to provide care, support, and housing, helping adults build independence and offering short-term respite or day support for informal carers.
Break type: Extended Breaks
Cost: Varies
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Shared Lives - South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire
Shared Lives is a service where an approved carer shares their home and family life to provide care, support, and housing, helping adults build independence and offering short-term respite or day support for informal carers.
Break type: Extended Breaks
Cost: Varies