Nominate your local care hero to win them a well-deserved Christmas break

This Christmas, as families across the UK come together, a different kind of hero will quietly balance caregiving with festivities —7.3 million dedicated carers, making up one in ten people nationwide.

To celebrate Carers Rights Day 2024 and honour the UK’s carers, paid and unpaid, Lottie has partnered with Chorleywood Manor Care Home to launch their ‘A Carers Christmas’ campaign. The initiative celebrates the incredible friendships between carers and residents, raising awareness and championing the hard work of carers spreading magic all year round.

In a Love Actually-style Christmas video, residents surprise their carers with thank you cards, sharing messages like, “You are unsung heroes” and “Thank you for all that you do” from 88-year-old Yvonne.

Alongside the video, Lottie is launching its annual pledge to recognise and celebrate carers’ unwavering dedication. This giveaway offers three £250 Airbnb vouchers, giving both paid and unpaid carers the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved break. Nominations are open to the public, encouraging everyone to spotlight the incredible work of their local care heroes.

Will Donnelly, Co-Founder and CEO of Lottie, is calling on the public to nominate their local care workers in Shropshire and share the inspiring stories of those making a real difference in their communities: 

"Our research has found that 7.3 million people in the UK have caregiving responsibilities - that’s equivalent to one in ten of the population.

"This Christmas, unpaid carers, in particular, are facing financial challenges, as they are expected to be out of pocket by an average of £2,012.65 when balancing caregiving and additional festive costs. At the same time, the care sector continues to struggle with workforce shortages, with one in 12 positions vacant. These pressures have left millions of carers at breaking point, both financially and emotionally.

"That’s why we're excited to launch our Carers Christmas Giveaway 2024 on Carers Rights Day and encourage the nation to get behind it. Watch our video to see the joy and magic carers bring to residents every day, and nominate a care worker you know to win an Airbnb getaway.

"As part of the campaign, three carers will be randomly selected to win a £250 Airbnb voucher, giving them the chance to enjoy a well-deserved break at a destination of their choice. 

Whether it’s a cosy countryside retreat or a vibrant city getaway, this is our way of saying thank you for everything carers do year-round. While only three winners will be chosen, our goal is to raise awareness and champion the incredible work of all carers—both paid and unpaid. We urge carers across the country to share their stories and experiences, nominate themselves or a fellow carer, and help us shine a light on the vital role they play in the lives of so many."

Nominations are open until 9 December for both paid and unpaid carers across the UK. For more details, to nominate your local care hero, or to watch the Christmas video, visit: lottie.org/carers-christmas-giveaway-2024.