Short Break Stories

Time to Live

A story by Dochas Centre

We provided grants directly to carers who live in Argyll and Bute caring for an adult 21 years and over, to plan and pay for a short break of their choice.

What Time to Live did

Staff encouraged and supported carers on one to one basis to complete the application and this includes the young carers and the parents. All the centres had a local panel, this enabled a quick turn around for the decision, which allowed the carers to get the breaks when they needed them.

We advertised the funding in newsletters, at support group meeting and when carers were accessing a carers assessment. We had some group activities in most areas which enabled us to use the funding to support a large number of carers to do something together, as some carers do not have someone to go away with as their lives have become smaller or they are isolated.

One couple have given up their life in London to come up here to look after her mum who has Dementia and is very difficult to manage and has some challenging behaviours they are both on hand 24/7 looking after her. This is very stressful and tiring for them both.

With the money they received they booked a holiday abroad where they both relaxed and got some sun. Their cared for person went in for respite the week they were away to allow them to get away.

Carer A looks after her husband who has recently suffered 5 strokes. She has a very heavy caring role and this has impacted greatly on her own health and well being. Christine, our Carers Support Worker encouraged her to consider taking a break. Initially she wouldn’t even consider leaving her husband and wasn’t keen to go away on her own, however, over a few weeks, she came to realise if she didn’t get a break, her life would reach crisis point.

A accessed support through our carers centre and visits quite often to drop in for a coffee and a chat. She also accesses holistic therapies. During her visits she became friendly with some of the other carers and struck up a close friendship with Carer B who has recently became bereaved. Carer B shared a lot of her experience with carer A and encouraged her to take the break. This demonstrates that peer support is very powerful and speaking to someone who understands really helps.
We won a place on one of Landmarks free for 50 holiday accommodation Castle of Park in Dumfries, yes a castle. A group of people, 2 from Campbeltown,1 from Tarbert and 2 from Lochgilphead as well as a therapist and myself as cook and bottle washer.

It was an amazing experience for all involved living in the castle for 5 days, having treatments everyday in a very special room in the castle and eating meals from around the world every evening. Everyone got on so well and we had a reunion 2 months ago.

Time to live allowed us to fund this adventure for all involved which made a special and wonderful holiday into a memorable experience for all involved.

What Dochas Centre has learned

These breaks are very important to carers. Being able to offer them means that we know carers can access a break quickly without jumping through hoops. We can assist them through the whole process. They trust us because we usually have a trusting relationship with them. We often know their situation so we can assist them to make the break happen, that the care for is looked after.

There are no real surprises throughout the process. We are proactive in raising awareness of our services locally and this is how we identify new carers. Word of mouth is generally the best means of referral. It’s been a great opportunity for carers who don’t usually get any breaks to be able to access a break away.
Top tips Dochas Centre's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Application process and decision is local making it a quick and easy experience.
Tip 2:
Assist carers to make creative choices as they are sometimes not confident or feel worthy of the break. We encourage carers to think about themselves and have a break they so need. Arrange breaks with them.
Tip 3:
Encourage carers to go on group events to increase confidence and self esteem.

"As a family we were at breaking point...this break brought us all closer together and enabled us to have fun as a family and enjoy different surroundings. I can't thank you enough...for making this happen for us."

Service User

Short Break Stories is a site by Shared Care Scotland, a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland SC161033.

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