Home is where the heart is for Brits

With the holiday season upon us, most of us are either thinking of jetting off to sunnier climes or have just returned from some far away sun-kissed destination. However, whilst we would rather be basking in the sunshine than battling with the rain, there is always something we look forward to coming back to after being away from home, whether it’s been a few days or weeks.

According to new research by leading housebuilder Persimmon Homes, commissioned as part of its partnership with Marie Curie Cancer Care, home truly is where the heart is, with nine out of 10 Brits admitting to looking forward to returning to their creature comforts after their holidays.

A quarter of us specifically look forward to coming back to see family and friends after a period away from home. And it would seem that it’s not just loved-ones we like to be reunited with on our return. Almost a third of the general public just can’t wait to get back and snuggle up with their duvet.

Other comforts that some of us admitted to missing include pets, peace and quiet, clothes to slouch around in and a good old cup of tea.

Of course, ‘home’ can mean different things to different people. But over two thirds of us agree that home is all about comfort, cosiness and more importantly, being with people you care about, rather than possessions or collateral.

David Bryant, group development director for Persimmon Homes, said: “However bad the weather is in the UK, we all look forward to returning home after being away for some time.

“In an era of gadgets, technology and hectic lifestyles, it’s reassuring to see that we do still appreciate the simpler things in life when it comes to being at home. In fact, only seven percent of the British public really care about their gadgets or TV.”

Dawn Dyne, Marie Curie Nurse of the Year, added: “Marie Curie Cancer Care is working to give more terminally ill people the choice to be cared for at home, surrounded by the people they love.

“This research highlights just how important home is to us, and that it’s our friends, family and pets that matter to us most. For people with a terminal illness having the choice to be in the familiar and comforting surroundings of their home, with support from their loved ones, is crucial.”

Research shows that most people want to die at home, in reality half the population die in hospital, the place they least want to be. Marie Curie Cancer Care makes it possible for people to live to the very last moment at home with their families, by providing high quality free nursing care to terminally ill patients in their own homes.

Working in communities across the UK, from remote islands to large cities, Marie Curie Nurses now care for half of all cancer patients who die at home but Marie Curie Cancer Care wants to reach more.

To help raise funds for additional nurses, Marie Curie Cancer Care, together with Persimmon Homes, is urging bosses to go Back to the Shop Floor in October and take on the role of their employees for a day. For information on how to get involved, visit Mariecurie.org.uk/backtotheshopfloor.