Short Break Stories

Creative Breaks 2016/17

A story by Western Isles Community Care Forum

We provided grants directly to carers who live in the Western Isles.

What Creative Breaks 2016/17 did

Application forms were available on our website, from the office and staff who visited carers in their own homes. We looked at the length of time an applicant was caring, their age, health, level of support, interrupted sleep and when they last had a break along with the age and condition of the cared for person. Applications forms were scored by a member of staff in the office when they were received. These were then reviewed by our panel, which consisted of the Co-ordinator, a member of staff who visits carers and a carer. The panel met 4 times during the year to consider applications.

The allocation of awards was a decision we left largely to the carer on our panel. The Time to Live Fund was advertised on our Facebook page, our website, via member organisations, statutory bodies and promoted by staff who visited carers. A new website was developed in 2016 which now allows carers to print off the application forms or submit them electronically.

Carer A used her award to take a trip to Glasgow accompanied by her daughter. She stayed with her son and met up with her sister in law whilst there. As the carer had a milestone birthday at the time, the family celebrated with cocktails and a lovely meal. On returning home she treated herself to a hot stone massage.

Taking this break has made carer A recognise that there are very positive benefits in taking time out from the caring role and she has vowed to take regular breaks, as a result of the this award.

Here's what she said to us, "It was a wonderful surprise and I had a girly weekend. This was the first time I had a hot massage and I really enjoyed it – really helped ease the tension. The whole experience was the highlight of my life. I feel so much better for it and the family told me even my face looked different when I got back. I’ve made up my mind, I am going to go away more often.

Taking time out from the caring role has great health benefits for carers, who often do not realise how tired and stressed they are on a daily basis. Carer B took a short trip to Poland without the cared for person and was able to visit Auschuwitz which was something the carer always wanted to do. She fulfilled a dream and got an opportunity to relax and unwind.

After returning home, she reported, "I feel “renewed”. This break kept me from going over the edge – I had reached breaking point and didn’t realise it, as this was my first year of full time caring. I was mentally and physically exhausted. So appreciative of this help"
Carer C was confined to the home due to deteriorating condition of the cared for person so a break away was not an option for Carer C. As painting was an activity the carer thoroughly enjoyed, the award was used to buy equipment to enable him to pursue this. He is now able to take time out to relax and unwind but still be on hand for his caring role. For him, this award has long term benefits.

This is what Carer C said to us, "I find painting a great way to relax – I switch off from all the caring duties. Not able to get out now as my mother’s condition has worsened."

What Western Isles Community Care Forum has learned

A lot of carers feel more valued when they receive an award, we are finding many carers re-apply year on year for an award, which is testimony to the high regard which they have for the Time to Live Fund. This year more carers chose to buy equipment in pursuit of hobbies, which has longer term benefits.

When our staff visit carers, they encourage them to apply to the Fund, carers who would not normally do so. Some then come to realise the benefits of taking a break from their caring role. This Fund has helped to increase our profile in the community.
Top tips Western Isles Community Care Forum's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Advertise widely, including with statutory organisations to enable as many carers as possible have the opportunity to apply.
Tip 2:
Encourage carers to 'think out of the box' and gain long term benefits (collection of Short Breaks Stories is now a useful tool for this).
Tip 3:
If an application is unsuccessful in the first round of awards, re-consider it in the next round - keep form filling to a minimum for carers.