Short Break Stories

Short Breaks for Carers Shetland ''Me Time''

A story by Voluntary Action Shetland

We provided grants directly to carers who live in Shetland and are providing a substantial amount of care for an adult.

What Short Breaks for Carers Shetland ''Me Time'' did

Voluntary Action Shetland Carers Support Service provided 22 individual Short Break Grants with all recipients receiving the maximum award of £150. Other activities included events during Carers Week in June 2016, our main event in Lerwick was a drop in event with treat sessions for carers, information stands, teas and home bakes as well as live music, craft activities and Health Checks.

An outing for afternoon tea in Unst for the North Isles Carers Group, and free passes to their local leisure centre during carers week for 2 carers. We also arranged an exclusive showing of a film at the Cinema with ice-cream and popcorn and this was followed by a lunch with the Carers Support staff.

The Short Break grant scheme was promoted through a press release, through our Virtual Carers Centre website, our Shetland Carers Facebook page, through our Quarterly Newsletter, at carers support groups, at one to one meetings with carers and in our leaflets promoting our whole service.

The scheme was also promoted by other members of the Carers Link Group, the multi-strategy group responsible for the development, management and implementation of Shetland Carers Strategies including the Young Cares Strategies and any specific dedicated funding allocations. This group has members from the local authority, NHS Shetland and the local third sector interface (ourselves along with a Carers Representative) and meets approximately every 6 weeks.

The grants made a huge difference to carers. Many recipients used the grant to plan a holiday to the Scottish mainland to visit family that they don’t get to see very often. Other carers used the grant for sports memberships, relaxation sessions, overnight stays, meals out and to purchase sports equipment.

We use a Questionnaire to evaluate how the Short Break has helped and this can be completed on line or a paper version. Evaluation showed that carers felt able to carry on in their caring role if they had a holiday to look forward to. One carer reported finding it difficult to relax but after using the short break they were able to take regular time out and had learned tools to help them relax.

Several other carers reported improved health and well being through regular exercise. This had the knock on positive effect of improved mood and self-esteem as a result of regular exercise and time out.






Melissa* is a young carer who has helped her dad care for her mum, who has a variety of long term conditions, for many years. Melissa used her £150 grant towards the cost of a Skiing Trip abroad with her School.

* Name has been changed

Ruby* used her £150 grant towards her annual Golf Club Membership, she said knowing she had the opportunity to get our regularly to play golf, helped her manage her caring role. Ruby arranged a sitter for her husband (who is living with dementia) so she could play golf regularly.

Not only does this ensure Ruby is maintaining social contact with other members she is also benefiting from exercise. She said she is happy and relaxed after her round of golf.

* Name has been changed
David* used his £150 grant towards a number of relaxation sessions. He found it difficult to relax before the sessions and was finding it difficult to take time out for himself. Having regular sessions helped with both of these issues.

* Name has been changed.
Since she stared caring fulltime, her own health and fitness were bottom of the list for Kathleen*, she used her short break grant to buy an annual gym membership at her local leisure centre. This allowed her to focus on improving these areas and have regular time out for herself.

* Name has been changed
Alice* has been caring full time from her mum and has never had a night away from her mum since she started her caring role. When she received her short break grant she organise a boat trip during the day and then at night have an overnight stay with dinner at a hotel. This coincided with her mothers respite time.

* Name has been changed

What Voluntary Action Shetland has learned

The funding is a great way of reaching out to new carers who do not know about our service. Carers, who have previously been unknown to us, have heard about the Grant Scheme and have made contact with us.

Most contacts we come into contact with are in need of a break from their role.
Top tips Voluntary Action Shetland's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Remember to promote the Short Breaks Fund at every opportunity when you are meeting with carers. Many of them are not aware of this resource and most are in need of a break.
Tip 2:
Use good news stories from Carers who have had a Short Break through the fund. We included a case study from a Carer in our Press Release about our new round of funding from Creative Breaks in October 2016 .

We also have a Testimonial section on our Virtual Carers website stating '' My Short Break funding allowed me to get a break to see my son for the first time in three years'
Tip 3:
Use different types of media to promote Short Breaks fund so are you are reaching your widest potential audience, website, Facebook, twitter, posters, leaflets, newsletters, magazines, monthly email updates to carers, mention at all carer groups regularly and at all 1:1 carer meetings.

"How refreshing to meet other people with similar experiences and be able to talk so freely knowing they could understand your worries and concerns"

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