Tag: Shared Care Scotland

Additional cash for Short Breaks Fund

Thousands more unpaid carers to be supported

An additional 15,000 unpaid carers will be supported to take short breaks away from their caring responsibilities as a result of a £5 million boost to the Voluntary Sector Short Breaks Fund.

The extra funding, set out in the draft Budget, brings the total investment to £13 million for 2025-26.

Established in 2011, the Voluntary Sector Short Breaks Fund is already supporting over 25,000 carers, including young carers, to take a break this year.

These can take a variety of forms, including short respite breaks or opportunities to pursue hobbies or learn new skills.

They can be an opportunity to have time away from caring responsibilities, or can be taken together with the person who is cared for.

Minister for Social Care, Maree Todd said: “This additional funding recognises the invaluable contribution of unpaid carers and I am pleased we can support even more unpaid carers to look after their own health and wellbeing.

“The essential care they provide for family members and loved ones cannot be understated and we want to do everything we can to alleviate the pressures many face.

“Our wider Budget sets out a record £21 billion investment in health and social care. This includes more than £2 billion for social care and integration, exceeding our target to increase funding in social care by 25% by over £350 million.”

Don Williamson, Chief Executive, Shared Care Scotland said: “We are delighted with the proposed additional £5 million investment in the Short Breaks Fund.

“This demonstrates ongoing commitment to the right to a break and is welcome recognition of the significant impact that breaks can have on unpaid carers health and wellbeing.

“It represents a significant and much-needed investment towards building a sustainable and resilient short breaks and respite sector and will further enhance the support available to unpaid carers in Scotland.”

Time to Live grant scheme: Shared Care Scotland report published

Shared Care Scotland is the national carer organisation focused on improving short breaks for all of Scotland’s unpaid carers.  

Research is an essential part of this work: it helps ensure that short breaks policy and provision is better informed by the experience of carers and cared-for people and that those responsible for the commissioning and delivery of short breaks have access to the current best evidence on ‘what works’.

Shared Care Scotland recently worked with Iriss to hear directly from carers about the impact that the Short Breaks Fund ‘Time to Live’ grant scheme had on their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

The final report and a collection of carer stories has been published this week in Rethinking Personalised Short Breaks for Unpaid carers during COVID-19.

The report shows that taking a person-centred approach – supporting carers to have choice and control in short breaks – brings sustainable benefits and can improve their financial, physical and mental wellbeing as well as providing similar benefits to those they care for. 

What also emerges from the report is that it is not just the break itself that can lead to positive outcomes, but the process of accessing support can also achieve additional benefits. This includes reducing isolation, helping carers feel valued, and providing that essential preventative support that can help to sustain the caring role.

It is hoped that the report provides important evidence to help reinforce good practice.  Above all, it is to show that supporting carers to embed pockets of respite throughout their days can be fundamental in helping them have ‘Time to Live’.

You can read the report here.

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