The Short Breaks Scheme offers personalised and flexible break options to unpaid carers from diverse communities across Wales.
The breaks can take many forms, a service, activity or an item, but they always give unpaid carers the opportunity to enjoy some precious time for themselves or a break from the daily routine. They provide a much-needed opportunity for carers to focus on themselves and their own mental, emotional and physical health. Tailored to meet the needs of the carer and their family, they can also help to strengthen caring relationships and enhance the wellbeing of carers and the people they support.
Carers can choose from overnight breaks, day activities, group activities and microgrants of up to £50. The break can be something they do on their own, or with the person they care for, or even involve the whole family. Funding can also help provide replacement care to enable a carer to enjoy a break of their choice knowing the person they care for is in safe hands.
Examples could include:
Thank you for helping us to reconnect and for clearing my head and making me realise I do have the energy to carry on and do what needs to be done!
Anna and Sanjay*, carers who enjoyed an overnight break, organised by Delivery Partner Rewild Play.
The breaks are run by our network of Delivery Partners across Wales. Our Delivery Partners set up and manage all the activities for unpaid carers in their area. To find a short break, use our handy directory which provides details of all the activities currently available, who to contact and how to apply.
While caring for a loved one with cancer is a challenging and ongoing responsibility, moments like these can provide much-needed relief and rejuvenation.
Delivery Partner, Ray of Light Cancer Support
*Names are changed to protect privacy
From forest camping to spa breaks, these can take many different forms. Whatever the break, it will help you to relax and recharge your batteries.
A small grant of up to £50 is available to help you arrange your own activity. This could be a meal out, a trip to the cinema or theatre or a contribution to an organisation membership such as the National Trust. Your local Delivery Partner will talk to you about what best meets your needs and interests.
The Short Breaks Scheme is funded by Welsh Government and delivered in partnership with Carers Trust Wales and Regional Partnership Boards.
Welsh Government has allocated an overall budget of £9 million for the Short Breaks Scheme which runs from 2022-2025. Carers Trust Wales was appointed the National Coordinating body of the scheme. The delivery of funds is split between Carers Trust Wales and seven Regional Partnership Boards.
Carers Trust Wales provides Short Break Scheme funding to 24 Delivery Partners in the third sector who arrange and manage the breaks and offer support to unpaid carers across Wales.
Carers Trust Wales provides funding to 24 Delivery Partners in the third sector to offer unpaid carers in Wales a short break. We work with Delivery Partners across all local authority regions in Wales. Our Delivery Partners range is size and focus, from small volunteer-led groups to large-scale charities.
Search for carer services near you through our network of specialist partners across Wales.
