Carers – free days out
A Carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their needs, illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. (NHS England)
Visitor attractions and leisure facilities often offer significant discounts to you and the person you care for. For example, Longleat offer carers to go completely free, saving lots! Some swimming pools just charge a concessionary rate for the child and nothing for the carer. Holywood bowl offers a good carers’ concessions.
Most places won’t ask for proof that you are a carer, just tell them at the time of paying for the carers discount.
Others will ask to see a copy of a letter that says which disability benefits the person you care for get for example DLA or PIP or maybe a hospital letter if you don’t have these. As you might need to use this letter more than once make a copy of it rather than taking the original.
Check out the venue website or phone before you go and find out what help they can offer you. Visitor attractions should offer you free entry if you are supporting the person you care for.
These are some of the discounts you might be able to get:
- Your local council may offer discounts for leisure activities, such as swimming. Check what proof you need to take with you before you go.
- CarerSmart offers benefits and discounts to carers and people with care needs.
- Cinema CEA card is an annual card you pay for that gets a carer a free ticket when they accompany the person they care for.
- Max card gives free admission to attractions for looked after children, children with complex needs, their friends and family.
- Merlin annual pass has a complimentary pass for carers.
- National Trust has an Essential Companion card that allows you free entry if you are with the person you care for.
You may also be able to get discounts when travelling on buses and trains, or when you go on holiday.
Source: FASD Hub South West