We are proud to share two comprehensive reports from research conducted in 2025 as part of the "Leave from Care: A Model of Respite Tourism" project, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (FERS 2021-2027), led by PFRON.
The research was carried out by the INDEKS Social Research Centre on behalf of the Ładne Historie Foundation, in cooperation with organisations forming the National Respite Tourism Network.
- The social research report presents a quantitative picture of the situation of caregivers of people with disabilities and people with disabilities themselves – their needs, barriers and willingness to participate in respite trips.
- The report from in-depth qualitative research (UX) shows the emotions, motivations and experiences of caregivers, organizers and assistants – in the form of user path maps and recommendations for the design of respite services.
This is the first study in Poland to combine the perspectives of people with disabilities and their caregivers, framing them as two distinct yet interconnected groups. It reveals a reality familiar to all those working in this field: chronic fatigue, lack of respite, and immense amounts of care, responsibility, and emotional resilience. One manifestation of this group's invisibility is the lack of reliable data, so the publication of these reports is an important step towards systemic change.
We would like to thank the INDEKS team of the Social Research Centre for the highest level of commitment and all the organisations that supported the research – in particular the Children’s Help on Time Foundation, as well as the We Are Important Foundation, the Czas Foundation, the Imago Foundation, the Mudita Association and other entities operating within the National Respite Tourism Network.
Reports are available in a digitally accessible version (WCAG compliant).
DOWNLOAD THE SOCIAL REPORT
DOWNLOAD THE IN-DEPTH REPORT
The "Care Leave. A Model of Respite Tourism" project is co-financed by the European Funds for Social Development (FERS) 2021–2027, Measure 01.01 – Transnational Cooperation.
The project is implemented in partnership by PFRON – the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons, the Ładne Historie Foundation and the Spanish Fundación TAMBIÉN.
