Small Charity Spotlight: Royal Respite

This week is Small Charity Week 2026. To celebrate, each day we're going to feature a small charity and tell you about the amazing work that they do. Today's small but wonderful charity is... 

Royal Respite 

Royal Respite were one of the first organisations I had the pleasure to meet with when I began working within Central Gateshead and I immediately saw the level of passion from two of the trustees, Saul and Alex, as soon as I met them.  

The organisation is based in Central Gateshead and offers a range of support around the theme of respite for those in the Jewish community facing the toughest of life's challenges.  

Having personally experienced the impact of ongoing cancer treatment on not only the individual undergoing treatment, but the wider family too, Saul knew that more support and opportunities for accessible respite needed to be in place. That is where the idea for Royal Respite began.  

Royal Respite offer: 

☑️ Residential Stays

☑️  Short funded stays in their respite cottage in the heart of Cumbria (this includes transport and food to ensure the family have everything they need)

☑️ Food and Care Parcels - 'Respite in a Box', enabling people to access healthy cooked meals in times of need. There are tailored to the needs of the family including wellbeing activities, toys and crafts 

☑️ Group Support - providing community events and small group sessions, with a focus on wellbeing and encouraging self-care through arts and crafts

☑️ Emotional Support -  providing a 'listening ear' service and subsidised therapies 

Dignity and sensitivity are at the heart of the support provided by Royal Respite and their aim is to empower individuals to thrive, regardless of their starting point. The lived experience of trustees has led to extremely thoughtful processes and additions to the support provided along the way.  

Royal Respite has carefully considered every element of their community support including religious observance, by providing kitchenware designed to avoid cross-contamination and maintain kosher standards. 

How have Connected Voice supported Them?

When asked about the work Connected Voice have done with Royal Respite, Saul Sommer the founding trustee said:

“Royal Respite has tremendously benefitted from their relationship with Connected Voice. From Royal Respite’s inception, Connected Voice supported and advised the trustees with the appropriate documents, safeguarding policies and signposting towards funding opportunities. 

Connected Voice has been a great source of assistance. Chloe, Grace and the team really understand our charity, it’s needs and the services that we provide, providing us with bespoke support” 

- Saul Sommer. 

The work Royal Respite are doing to provide safety and sanctuary in some of the most challenging times for people due to illness, loss or other life challenges is admirable and something I wanted to shout about this Small Charities week.  

To find out more about Royal Respite please visit their website.  

If your organisation could benefit from support with anything mentioned above, please get in touch with our Support and Development team at connect@connectedvoice.org.uk or call us on 0191 232 7445.