Sometimes a holiday is much more than simply getting away.
For families caring for a disabled or seriously ill child, finding somewhere suitable can be difficult before cost even enters the equation. The accommodation needs to work. Equipment may be essential. There may be routines, sleep needs, mobility considerations and a hundred little details that make the difference between a break feeling relaxing and it feeling like even more work.
Petra and Finlay's stay at Bench Cottage
In October 2026, we were delighted to welcome Petra and her 13-year-old son Finlay to Bench Cottage for a holiday funded by Time Away through its Adapted Breaks programme.
Time Away recognises that not every family can use standard holiday accommodation. For families who need specialist facilities, the charity can fund stays in adapted properties, assessing each application individually.
Petra and Finlay's stay at Bench Cottage was funded by Time Away through its Adapted Breaks programme. Our role was to provide the accessible cottage, facilities and personal welcome that would allow them to enjoy their holiday together.
After their stay we had this lovely review:
“The Bench Cottage had everything we needed. Even blackout curtains, which made it even more cosy for Finlay – sleep is usually party time for him!
Finlay loved being able to have free level access in the cottage. He made the most of walking in his walking frame and exploring around.
Thank you for lovely memories at Bench Cottage. We will definitely come back next year.”
Finlay and Petra
It is one small sentence in Petra's message that says an enormous amount to us: “Finlay loved being able to have free level access in the cottage.” and receiving this photo of Finlay doing just that is priceless.
For Finlay, having level access meant being able to move around freely with his walking frame and explore the cottage. For Petra, even the blackout curtains made a difference to their stay. These are the details that matter. And thanks to Time Away, Petra and Finlay have some lovely New Forest holiday memories to take home.
What does Time Away do?
Time Away was created by Alex and Ilmarie Braun following their own experience of caring for their son Eddie, who developed significant health challenges. Their experience helped them recognise the importance of supporting the whole family, and the idea grew that holiday-property owners could help families by making accommodation available for respite breaks.
Today, Time Away provides breaks for families caring for children with serious disabilities or complex health needs.
For many families, ordinary self-catering accommodation can work. Holiday-property owners donate available nights and Time Away matches these with eligible families.
But Time Away also recognises something particularly important to us at Our Bench: standard holiday accommodation is not accessible to everybody.
Some children and young people need level access, wet rooms, hoists, specialist beds or additional space and equipment. Time Away therefore has a separate Adapted Breaks programme for families whose needs mean that an ordinary holiday cottage simply will not work.
Because genuinely adapted holiday properties are relatively scarce, Time Away funds these specialist breaks and considers applications individually, taking into account the family's needs, appropriate accommodation and the funds available. You should always check the Time Away website for its current eligibility criteria and application arrangements.
Why partnerships like this matter
Accessible accommodation is often more expensive to build, equip and maintain, and families caring for a disabled child can already face considerable additional costs. At the same time, truly suitable holiday accommodation can be difficult to find. Time Away helps bridge that gap.
We provide the accessible place to stay and the detailed information families need to decide whether it will work for them. Time Away can help make that break financially possible for an eligible family. The result is not simply a few nights away.
It can be the chance to rest, spend time together and make the sort of ordinary family memories that should never feel extraordinary.
Could Time Away help your family?
If you care for a disabled or seriously ill child and need adapted accommodation to enjoy a holiday together, Time Away may be able to help fund a suitable break.
Applications, eligibility and funding decisions are managed directly by Time Away.
Find out about Time Away's Adapted Breaks programme
Could you give another family the gift of a holiday?
Sometimes plans change, and guests who have booked a holiday at Our Bench find themselves unable to come.
If you have paid for your holiday in full and can no longer use your booked dates, you may wish to donate your stay to a family who would benefit from a break.
We would be happy to approach Time Away to explore whether your unused holiday could be offered to another family.
This is entirely optional and does not change our normal booking and cancellation terms. Any donated break would need to be accepted by Time Away and matched with a suitable family.
If you would like us to explore this possibility, please contact us before your scheduled arrival.
Find out more their donating a break scheme and we could facilitate that for you.
Last updated: October 2026