Short Break Stories

Short Breaks for Carers Shetland

A story by Voluntary Action Shetland

We provided grants directly to carers who live in Shetland

What Short Breaks for Carers Shetland did

The Carers Support Worker was able to assess the applications up to £200 with regular updates to the Carers Link Group (the Multi Agency group representing the interests of and services relating to carers in Shetland through the implementation of the Carers Strategy). Any applications beyond £200 required Link Group approval.

The Voluntary Action Shetland Finance Officer issued a cheque to the beneficiary and collected receipts. The fund was advertised through our Virtual Carers Centre Website, our carers Facebook page, through our quarterly Carers Newsletter and the Third Sector Quarterly magazine and another local literary magazine, at Community Events including the annual Flu Fair and at Health Centres. Each member of the Link Group was also responsible for promoting the Short Break Fund through their own organisation.

We have seen an increase in applications from Young Carers due to awareness of the fund being promoted through our new Young Carers Group.

The money allowed a family to take their first short break in 4 years (since their son was born). The whole family had a break and and it was also useful for the older sibling to show that they do not always miss out because of the needs of the younger child. It helped her to feel that were a ''normal'' family. The whole family is under a lot of stress and some time in a different environment was good for the well being of the whole family.

This money, which was over £200 and therefore approved by the Link Group, allowed the family to take a summer holiday to visit relatives in Norfolk. The family needed to take their car (which is set up for the husbands disabilities) on the boat to the mainland and then drive to Norfolk which is a lengthy car journey from Aberdeen.

The carer cares for her husband and child and to complete the journey they needed to make a number of stops. The money also enabled them to stay in Travel Lodges which best met the needs of the husband and child. The holiday allowed the family to take some much needed time out.
We offered a few days time out at Belmont House through our first Residential for Carers. This was particularly aimed at Carers in the North Isles of Shetland but other carers were invited to attend. Belmont House is a beautifully restored Georgian House and is a perfect place to relax and take some time out.

During the days there were invited speakers who came up to give information about their services and there was also the opportunity to try different experiences including massage and reflexology. In the evenings the carers were able to stay in the House and a delicious 3 course meal was provided. This was an ideal way for the carers to come together, relax and also build up friendships and sustainable relationships to help them in their caring role. 14 Carers attended this Residential experience.

What Voluntary Action Shetland has learned

Short Breaks is a good way for carers to be introduced to Voluntary Action Shetland Carers Centre and find out about the other support available to them in their caring role. Face to face discussion and promotion of the Short Breaks Fund encourages carers to apply. We saw in increase in applications as a result of promoting the Short Breaks Fund whilst carrying out Carers Assessments (a new service development under a SLA with the local authority).

Our most popular application was to support carers to have a trip off the island to the Scottish mainland which can be expensive. Most of these were for a break WITH their carer for person.
Top tips Voluntary Action Shetland's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Promote the Short Breaks Fund at every opportunity when you are meeting with Carers
Tip 2:
Use a variety of media to promote Short Breaks Fund, website, facebook, posters, leaflets, newsletters, magazine and word of mouth
Tip 3:
Use good news stories from carers who have had a Short Break through the fund, we have a Testimonial section on our Virtual Carers Centre Website stating : -

''My Short Break Funding allowed me to get a break to see my son for the first time in three years''.