£1m fund to help carers get breaks

Sep 29 2012

More than 2,600 carers will benefit from £1 million of funding for short breaks, the Scottish Government has announced.

The latest round of cash from the Creative Breaks programme will support in excess of 60 projects, giving carers the chance to enjoy activities such as residential weekend stays and daytime breaks.

Public health minister Michael Matheson said: "There are considerable pressures on adult and young carers, and it is vital that we support them."

He continued: "The short breaks fund, now in its third year, plays a large part in giving our carers a well-deserved short break.

"Importantly, these breaks allow young carers the chance to socialise and meet other young people in a similar position.

"I'm pleased that this latest round has now been awarded, which will support a variety of organisations across Scotland."

The Government said more than 190 projects supporting about 9,000 carers have benefited from funding for short breaks to date.

The announcement comes the week before carers from all over Scotland will travel to Edinburgh for the UK's first ever Carers Parliament, to be held at Holyrood on Monday.

Mr Matheson, MSPs and other organisations such as the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Association of Community Health Partnerships and the Association of Directors of Social Work will discuss issues surrounding caring with those in attendance.