In this guide, we’ve highlighted some of the best Christmas discounts for carers on offer this year. Whether this helps you buying gifts for your family, or simply enables you to give yourself a well deserved treat at the end of the year, these discounts should help you stretch your pound that bit further.
Christmas may be a time for seeing family, exchanging gifts, and enjoying festive food – but for many carers, it can be a time of added pressure in trying to juggle your family commitments while still providing care for clients who can be particularly vulnerable at this time of year.
Discounts may not be the answer – but finding ways to save money on gifts, food, and a little treat for yourself can certainly help. To all the carers out there, this one’s for you – your guide to Christmas and nine fantastic places to find seasonal discounts, tailor-made to celebrate your invaluable contribution to our communities!
1. Blue Light Card Offers
The Blue Light Card is available to anyone working within the social care sector (as well as NHS workers, emergency services, and armed forces). More than just a pass to great deals, it’s a token of appreciation for the heroes in healthcare, emergency services, social care, and the armed forces.
If you’re not a member yet, simply register here. A card costs £4.99, is valid for two years, and deals can be accessed through the Blue Light Card website or the app.
Christmas Highlights:
- Over 35 renowned brands participating.
- Discounts up to 25%.
- Child & baby item discounts from JoJo Maman Bébé, My 1st Years, and shopDisney.
- Beauty-related savings from Cult Beauty, ghd, LOOKFANTASTIC, and more.
- Offerings from Virgin Experience Days at discounted rates.
2. Discountsforcarers.com
Discountsforcarers.com is another helpful site that offers discounts for carers all year round, but seems ot put in that bit more effort during the festive season. The site is available to carers, their families, and retired carers, and is designed to promote “discounts from a network of commercial partners from which [they] earn revenue”.
Christmas Highlights That Might Interest You:
- 10 – 25% savings from top retailers like JD Sports, Clarks, and Adidas.
- 15 – 22% of on beauty brands including LookFantastic and the PerfumeShop
- 15% off Red Letter Days
- 10 – 15% off major shoe brands such as Office and Converse
Discountsforcarers is also free to join – the service likely earns a commission if you shop via their links.
3. Carer Smart
CarerSmart is a Carers Trust club open to carers, people with care needs, as well as other staff and volunteers from across the Carers Trust network. Eligible people can register for the club for free: Register here.
Discounts on Offer:
- Earn cash back from numerous high street retailers.
- Access to the best rates from various energy suppliers.
- Benefit from free legal advice services.
4. CEA Card for Cinemas
Although not Christmas-specific, many carers may not beaware that a CEA card can entitle you to free cinema tickets at participating cinemas in the UK (and according to the website, approximately 90% of cinemas are signed up to the scheme.
The cost for a card is just £6 for one year.
5. English Heritage Free Entry for Carers
If you’ve been thinking about enjoying a festive walk this Christmas, you’ll be pleased to know that carers get free entry accompanying a paying or member person they care for at any English heritage site.
No evidence of being a carer is required, although you can also choose the option to get a ‘letter of authority’ for automatic free entry.
6. National Trust Free Entry
Likewise, National Trust sites are free for up to two carers or companions, so make sure you’ve made use of this discount if we’re treated to a crisp, sunny morning in the next few weeks.
7. Sporting Event Discounts
Many people enjoy attending a football match over the Christmas period, and many clubs offer free tickets for carers when attending with the person they care for.
A few main participants include:
- Football clubs like Newcastle United and Sheffield Wednesday offer discounted tickets for disabled fans and free tickets for carers.
- Arsenal’s Purple Membership scheme offers half-price tickets for disabled fans and free tickets for accompanying assistants.
- Level Playing Field, a charity for disabled football fans, provides accessibility information and contacts for football clubs.
8. Ice Skating & Other Festive Activities
Many ice skating rinks that pop up in December do offer concessionary tickets to social care workers or unpaid carers when accompanying the person they provide care for.
We’d recommend checking with the one local to you for their exact details.
9. London Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park does offer Personal Assistant tickets if you/the person you care for needs additional assistance.
How to apply and what documentation you’ll need to provide is included here.
This guide should highlight a few key areas where you may be able to save some money over an infamously expensive time of year.
Whether you’re a paid carer and continuing to work over Christmas, or you’re an unpaid carer looking for ways to stretch your pounds, we hope this guide provides some helpful resources over the festive season.