Scotland’s carers centres are reporting a surge in interest from unpaid carers applying for small grants to allow them to take a break or access help.

The First Minister announced in January an additional £750,000 to support unpaid carers of all ages who she said “do an exceptional job at every time, but the time pandemic has increased the pressure that many of them feel”.

The government funding is being used to top up the long-established ‘Time to Live’ micro-grant programme – part of the Short Breaks Fund – operated by Shared Care Scotland which says it has now distributed the money between carer support organisations across Scotland.

Shared Care Scotland says local carer organisations are best placed to understand the needs of their local people and decide how best to use their allocation. Local organisations are encouraged to interpret broadly what constitutes a break so that carers can enjoy rest, relaxation or leisure in the way most appropriate for their health and wellbeing.

Time to Live grants can be used by carers to access a break at home, including purchasing items such as leisure equipment, or materials for a hobby, or even subscriptions for books, magazines, or entertainment packages. Grants are also being made to allow carers to arrange and pay for a break that will help them over a particularly challenging period.

The additional funding has also been earmarked for carer centres to scale up services including friending, counselling and online support groups.

Shared Care Scotland say publicity around the programme has meant some people, including many who have recently joined the ranks of Scotland’s estimated 1.1 million unpaid carers, have made contact with their local centres for the first time.

Lynn Gallacher, manager of the Borders Carers Centre, says payments from the fund are making a huge difference to people’s lives:

“Unpaid carers have been hit disproportionately hard by the current pandemic and like other vulnerable groups are hidden casualties.

“The wellbeing of carers is now at an all-time low with many reaching breaking point. The additional Time to Live funding has provided a lifeline to many.

“Within 24 hours of launching this new funding we had 70 applications from across our area ranging from young carers, to parent carers and older carers caring for loved ones living with dementia.

“There have been several requests for home gym equipment to help to relieve stress and anxiety. Many carers have not been able to leave loved ones at home alone so being able to exercise in a home setting has been a huge positive for them and many are now benefitting from improved health and wellbeing because of the increase in  physical activity.

“Other carers were desperate for something to keep both them and the people they care for occupied and we’ve had a number of requests for arts and craft materials, outdoor play equipment as well as tv, book and magazine subscriptions: this has helped to ease frustrations and establish new routines.

“There were also requests for outdoor log burners and blankets to enable carers and those they care for to meet outside with others with the aim to reduce social isolation and maintain social connections.”

Shared Care Scotland Chief Executive Don Williamson says the extra money for Time to Live and the Short Breaks Fund is welcome recognition of the role that unpaid carers continue to play:

“The additional funding for short breaks for carers is very welcome. As a result of this pandemic many of Scotland’s unpaid carers have taken on even more demanding and intense caring roles, and without the benefit of their usual support services.

“As we approach the anniversary of our first lockdown we must recognise the vital role that Scotland’s unpaid carers have played throughout, caring for months on end without a break and all too often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing.”

 

For more information on the Time to Live fund and details of carer centres across Scotland go to https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/shortbreaksfund/timetolive

https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/shortbreaksfund/

 

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.