Our final poll on the Right to a Break consultation is now live! 📊
We're gathering views on the proposed transitional arrangements to the new right to a break. Share your views with us by 10.00am on Monday 11 May ⏰
https://ow.ly/E3nZ50YQpec
#ExperienceInfluencingPolicy #ShapeTheFutureOfShortBreaks #SharedCareScotland
👉A #TimeToLive story from Rory
Rory had been doing everything he could to balance work, day‑to‑day life, and his caring responsibilities for his young daughter, who has Down Syndrome.
Rory's daughter uses British Sign Language due to her speech and language impairment, and he had always hoped to learn it, but never had the time or capacity. Rory was delighted to receive a micro grant that enrolled him in a course which yielded many other benefits:
“This was a break for me, and I really enjoyed it. I am keen to take the next level now and learn more. I was also lucky that I met some new friends, and one lady is a carer, so she really understood me.”
.uk/short-breaks-stories/rorys-story-path-to-better-communication/
#UnpaidCarer #SharedCareScotland #grants #Scotland #microgrant
👉Are you an unpaid carer living in Inverclyde?
Our friends at @coalition_of_carers are hosting "From Recognition to Rights" - a free five-week leadership programme designed for unpaid carers who want to understand their rights, speak confidently to decision makers, and represent carers in their area. Sessions run every Thursday from 21 May to 18 June in Inverclyde. Travel costs and replacement care costs to attend the training can be covered, so getting there doesn't have to be a barrier. To register or find out more: /training-for-carers-in-inverclyde/
#unpaidcarer #Scotland #Inverclyde #SharedCareScotland #RighttoaBreak #ShortBreaks
We had the pleasure of visiting Rosslyn Chapel followed by lunch at Rosslyn Inn with our Chinese and Gypsy/Traveller community members.
'I have been living in Edinburgh for over 30 years but have not had many opportunities to explore different places or learn more about the city’s history and hidden stories.'
'The trip gave me a chance to step out of my daily routine, experience something different, and feel more connected to the city that I have lived in for so long.'
The Whispering Door at Rosslyn Chapel was a highlight - whispers from one side of the archway can be clearly heard on the other side!
Everyone took lots of photos and really enjoyed the lovely gathering atmosphere throughout the day❤️
Thank you to Rosslyn Chapel and Shared Care Scotland for making this possible!
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Unpaid caring responsibilities can take a toll on emotional #wellbeing too. On day three we'd like to focus on the emotional barriers #unpaidcarers face in taking a short break.
Personal reluctance or feelings of guilt about using respite care were mentioned by many carers in our survey: .uk/media/fbldl2wc/scs-short-breaks-and-respite-care-survey-2024-report-web-singles.pdf
With many carers feeling unable to step away, either due to guilt or the complexity of care
required.
This was the case with Walter, who joined his friend and enjoyed a trip to the theatre with his Time To Live microgrant. Describing it as permission to breathe, to reconnect with joy, and to remember that caring for himself matters too.
"I also realised it’s okay to leave my wife for a short period of time sometimes. I don’t need to feel guilty, and the grant helped me see this.”
Find out more about Walter's short break here: .uk/short-breaks-stories/walters-story-finding-peace-in-the-performance/
@mentalhealthfoundation
#unpaidcarer #barrierstoabreak #shortbreak #Scotland #RightToABreak
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
On day two we'd like to focus on the links between poorer mental health and unpaid caring responsibilities.
Our Carers Week briefing published last summer in conjunction with Carers Scotland uncovered interesting findings that further strengthened these links:
👉36% of all unpaid carers, and 59% of carers who were struggling to make ends meet said they had bad or very bad mental health.
👉63% of unpaid carers felt overwhelmed by caring because they have not had a break from caring.
👉 60% of unpaid carers reported ‘often’ or ‘always’ feel the need for a break, however only 7.5% ‘regularly’ or ‘frequently’ receive breaks from caring.
Read the full report here: .uk/media/f4lajn03/carers-week-2025-mental-health-and-short-breaks-final-briefing.pdf
It's brilliant when carers share with us the benefits their short breaks bring, not only for their cared for loved one, but the family as a whole. Heather recently told us:
"It might only be a few hours out - not a big holiday - but for our family, this break means everything. A chance to relax, have fun together, and come back refreshed."
Find out more about Heather's short break here: .uk/short-breaks-stories/heathers-story-serenity-at-the-safari-park/
@mentalhealthfoundation
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week - highlighting the importance of good mental health, challenging stigma and promoting practical actions people can take to support their own #wellbeing.
There are strong links between unpaid caring responsibilities and poorer mental health. Our Creative breaks impact report 2024-2025 shows:
"Regular, meaningful short breaks from caring responsibilities can significantly enhance unpaid carers’ health and wellbeing, giving them time to rest and recharge."
Find out more about our short breaks funds for unpaid carers here: .uk/about-short-breaks/
@mentalhealthfoundation
Today's #TimeToLive story is from Quinn, a dedicated young carer who supports their father. The responsibility of caring for him combined with the constant worry and emotional strain has taken a significant toll on Quinn’s own wellbeing.
Quinn used a micro-grant to attend a music festival on Skye with friends. This gave Quinn something to look forward to, offering space to unwind, breathe, and rediscover friendships.
.uk/short-breaks-stories/quinns-story-serenity-on-skye/
#UnpaidCarer #ShortBreaks #SharedCareScotland #microgrant
🔊Apply now!
Take a Break Scotland provides cash grants to parents caring for disabled and seriously ill children and young people, aged 0 to 17.
The grant can be used for things like day trips, a short break away, travel costs, additional carer, gardening and home entertainment equipment, and much more. It aims to improve unpaid carers' quality of life and wellbeing by supporting them to access a break from the day-to-day routine of caring.
@takeabreakscotland grants are funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the charity @familyfund .
👉Find out more and apply online now: .uk
#SharedCareScotland #unpaidcarers #Scotland #ShortBreaks
🔊Take a Break grant programme is now open for applications!
Take a Break Scotland provides cash grants to parents caring for disabled and seriously ill children and young people, aged 0 to 17.
The grant can be used for things like day trips, a short break away, travel costs, additional carer, gardening and home entertainment equipment, and much more. It aims to improve unpaid carers' quality of life and wellbeing by supporting them to access a break from the day-to-day routine of caring.
@takeabreakscotland grants are funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the charity @familyfund .
👉Find out more and apply online now: .uk
#SharedCareScotland #unpaidcarers #Scotland #ShortBreaks
📰 Our April ebulletin is now available.
Read all our latest updates, including:
📢 The launch of our Respitality 2025 impact report
📢 Updates on our Right to a Break roundtable events with unpaid carers and organisations to ensure carers' voices are heard in the consultation
📢 The latest from the National Carer Organisations
Read the full ebulletin here: https://mailchi.mp/sharedcarescotland/march-2026-news-from-shared-care-scotland-13897009
Not subscribed? Visit our website to never miss an update: https://ow.ly/xK5U50YBGeo #SharedCareScotland #RightToABreak #NationalCarerOrganisations #ShortBreaksFund #Ebulletin
We had our first joint day trip for Arabic speaking and Gypsy/Traveller carers on the 10th of April. We visited the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. Participants highlighted the value of meeting others from similar and diverse backgrounds, building friendships, and having a break from daily caring responsibilities. Thank you to Shared Care Scotland for making it possible.
“We had a lovely day, I am so glad we got to go. I’ve always wanted to see the Kelpies and I’ve passed it on the road before but never got a chance to go up to see it. I would come back again with my family member because I think he would really like it here too. It was nice to get a chance to speak to other groups in MECOPP too, whenever we do things it’s always just Gypsy/Travellers and it was really good to speak to people from different backgrounds. ”
