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Respite is offered in the form of a short get-away to a self-catering cottage or a hotel for a few nights. This serves to provide a desperately needed reprieve to our clients who would otherwise be unable to take a break to recharge their batteries and return home ready to face their challenges with renewed vigour.
We exclusively provide respite breaks for those who are faced with particular challenges or difficult circumstances. This can range from medical issues such as chronic illness, surgery, accidents, miscarriage and infertility challenges to bereavement, mental health issues, named carers for the elderly or dependent, families with physically or mentally disabled children and even sholom bayis
Royal Respite was established in 2013, incorporated in 2015 and became a registered charity in 2018. The charity was the brainchild of Rabbi Shaul Sommer from its very beginnings. Over ten years ago he began his own journey when his five year old son was diagnosed with leukaemia. The months of treatments and extended periods of hospital stays, an ailing and unwell son, the concerns and worries together with juggling his responsibilities to his wife and other young children at home left their toll. Only with much encouragement from his Mashgiach was he able to forgo his duties and allow himself to take a break from his vigorous responsibilities. Following a weekend of respite he himself realised how essential it was and how it had empowered him to continue through the trauma. Today his son is BS”D fully recovered and studying in Yeshiva. Since then Shaul has been on the constant look out for people who are in situations similar to his own, where a short respite break would make all the difference.
We have a fine-tuned system for client referrals, with a network of
approved referrers, who are in various positions within our kehilla,
and have a good understanding and knowledge of people’s
struggles and circumstances. Our referrers include rabbonim and
rebbetzens, one of the kehilla’s doctors, heads of the various
schools, the “DASH” medical referral group and social workers. The
system is designed to offer clients maximum discretion, privacy and
dignity whilst ensuring the genuineness of each case. Every referral
is discussed and considered anonymously between the trustees.
Once a referral has been approved by the committee, one of our
volunteers will discretely and sensitively approach the individual who
has been referred to discuss suitable dates and accommodation for
their respite break. The team then search the internet and or make
numerous phone calls to source a perfectly suitable property. In
addition to arranging accommodation, we organize and supply
catered meals, and contribute to travel expenses. To date we have
sent over 200 couples or families for respite.
Shaul is a member of Sunderland Kollel, a teacher in Gateshead Mechina, as well as lecturer in Gesher (Jewish outreach), He is also a certified financial coach for Messila.
Dov Ber works in commercial property and runs his own firm. He is also studying to become a surveyor.
Avrohom is learning in Sunderland Kolel. He occasionally does some teaching in the local schools and also does some private tutoring. He has significant administrative experience.
Eli runs his own property management company. He is also a volunteer for Paperweight, and is actively involved in his Shul, Avreichims’ building committee.
