Short Break Stories

Long Weekend Breaks

A story by Crossroads Orkney

We provided grants directly to carers who live in Orkney, to plan and pay for a short break of their choice.

What Long Weekend Breaks did

The Time to Live Fund was advertised in the local newspaper, through our quarterly newsletter to Carers and on our website. The application process is kept as simple as possible. We send out guidance on the fund and a one sided A4 application form asking details about the Carers dependant, what respite they already access and when they last had a break.

When the application comes back to us a small panel (which includes a board member) meets to allocate funds where appropriate. We are happy to help Carers access their break if they need help, this may be with booking things online for example. Carers who do not want to have a break off the island can pick an alternative such as a gym membership, horse riding or any other activity that provides them with a respite break.

Mrs X looks after her husband who has advanced dementia. She had a friend coming over from Canada to stay with them for a couple of weeks. Mrs X wanted to have a few days away to mainland Scotland with her friend to visit some castles. She applied to the Time to Live Fund for money to pay for a hotel for 3 nights. As she couldn't get residential respite care for her husband Crossroads Orkney also provided 24 hour care for her husband through our respite care scheme. Mrs x and her friend thoroughly enjoyed their break away, it was the first she had had in several years.

Mrs Y cares for several family members with various illnesses. She does not keep well herself and is often exhausted with juggling all her responsibilities. She uses her grant to have regular sessions of alternative therapies such as hot stones, manicure, eye lash tinting, massage etc. She finds these therapies relaxing and feels they support her to be able to continue her caring role.
Mrs Z is finding it a great strain looking after her daughter who has a learning difficulty. Her own mental and physical health has not been good and she feels trapped in her caring role. She was a keen swimmer when she was younger and has used her grant to purchase a years membership at the swimming pool. Swimming will not only help her physically but mentally too as she says she forgets all her troubles while at the pool.

What Crossroads Orkney has learned

Some of our Carers are now very familiar with this fund and apply annually. The funding we receive is not a vast amount but is adequate for the number of people we have applying. It is very gratifying to know that the small grants we are giving are making a real difference to the lives of Carers.
Top tips Crossroads Orkney's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Advertise the fund as widely as possible as we find Kinship Carers the most difficult to reach.
Tip 2:
Keep application packs simple .
Tip 3:
Be willing to help people access their break by helping with things like online booking for example.