Short Breaks Bureau

Short Breaks Bureau

As a carer it can be a challenge to care for someone, particularly if you don't take some time out now and again. Looking after yourself is just as important as looking after the person you care for.

Lanarkshire Carers provides a range of information and support for carers to take a short break from caring, including:

  • identifying short break opportunities that meet carers needs and circumstances
  • help with funding a short break
  • information and guidance with arranging a short break
  • other useful resources for carers

Information is also available for statutory, third and private sector organisations to raise awareness of the service and the opportunities available for carers to take a short break.

Information and Support for Carers

Lanarkshire Carers has a range of resources available for carers to take a break from caring. This includes available grant funding, discounted and free opportunities to take a break from your caring role as well as other useful information.

Creative Breaks Time to Live

Creative Breaks Time to Live

Creative Breaks Time To Live funding programme is to improve the range, choice, and availability of short breaks so that carers and the people they care for have a better quality of life and feel better supported in their caring relationship.

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Lanarkshire Carers Flexible Support Fund

Lanarkshire Carers Flexible Support Fund

Lanarkshire Carers Flexible Support Fund can support carers going through financial hardship or distress. It will improve financial security through creating a safety net that can be used to meet unanticipated expenses as well as short break opportunities.

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View Our Funding Directory

How do short breaks help carers?

Short breaks enable carers to have a life outside or alongside their caring role, maintaining their health and wellbeing so they can continue to provide care. Taking a break from caring can sometimes be challenging due to personal circumstances or the nature of the caring role, but it is important that carers take some time out now and again. Lanarkshire Carers can support carers to find suitable opportunities to take a break from caring. Here are just some of the ways we have helped carers based on their personal needs and circumstances:

Linda cares for her elderly mother, click here to watch Linda’s story on how her short break has helped support her in her caring role.

Peter cares for his grandson Ben, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Peter became a carer eight years ago when both his wife and daughter passed away.

Fiona cares for her mum who is an elderly lady with a number of health issues, including decreased mobility which means that she is now housebound.

Could you benefit from a short break from caring? Do you need support to access short break opportunities? Please get in touch with us and we will be happy to discuss your support needs further.

Did you know...

  • 40% of carers have not had a day off from caring in over a year*
  • 25% have not had a day off in more than 5 years*
  • 42% said a break from caring would make the most difference to their health and wellbeing*
  • 72% of carers in the UK said they had suffered mental ill-health as a result of caring*
  • 36% of carers who have not had a break since beginning their caring role have experienced mental ill-health**

*Source: State of Caring 2017 Survey (Carers UK)
**Source: Carers Trust

Last Updated: Monday, 15 April, 2024

Lanarkshire Carers Centre: Hamilton

Ground Floor Left
Princes Gate
60 Castle Street
Hamilton
ML3 6BU

Monday - Friday:
9:00am to 4:30pm

Lanarkshire Carers Centre: Airdrie

Airdrie Locality Support Services
92 Hallcraig Street
Airdrie
ML6 6AW

Monday - Friday:
9:00am to 4:30pm