Breaks for Carers means time away from caring. At GAMH North East Carers service, we help unpaid carers get a chance to rest, recharge and enjoy time for yourself.

Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it is also hard work. Unpaid Carers deserve a chance to take a breath, enjoy a hobby, or simply relax.

Some unpaid Carers find it difficult to get a short break or time away from caring. That is why support is available.

GAMH supports breaks for carers through three schemes:

• Carers Breaks: Funding to enjoy a break from your caring role
• Time to Live: Small grants to help you plan your own short break
• Respitality: Free leisure experiences donated by local hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses.

These schemes aim to make life a little easier and give carers the chance to enjoy time for themselves. GAMH works in partnership with Glasgow City Carers Partnership and Shared Care Scotland to deliver breaks for carers.

Caring for someone is important but so is caring for yourself.

How to apply for Carers Breaks.

How to apply for Time to Live Short Breaks funding.

How to apply to the Respitality in Glasgow initiative.

Carers Breaks is funding which supports Carers to have sufficient breaks away from caring responsibilities.

Personalised, flexible short breaks can make a real difference for unpaid Carers to recharge their batteries, helping sustain caring relationships and enabling Carers to have more of a life of their own. For many Carers there is little time to take a break.

How to apply for Carers Breaks.

Time to Live is funding that helps carers take a short, personalised break. The money comes from the Scottish Government and is managed locally by organisations such as GAMH.

You can apply for a small grant to cover the cost of your break. This could be a night away, an activity you enjoy, or even time with the person you care for. The break should benefit both you and the person you support.

Time to Live is a funding programme managed by Share Care Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

How to apply for Time to Live Short Breaks funding.

Respitality is a partnership between carers’ organisations like GAMH and local businesses. Hotels, restaurants, gyms and other venues donate free breaks for unpaid carers to enjoy. Unpaid carers can enjoy their break individually or with whoever they like.

These breaks for carers are not means-tested. GAMH will help with the planning and booking, so you can simply enjoy the experience.

Respitality opportunities are all different. In the past, they have included:

• A night away in a hotel or lodge
• A meal out with a friend or family member
• A day at the cinema or a sports event
• A pamper session or haircut
• A visit to a local attraction.

Respitality in Glasgow is an initiative managed by the Glasgow City Carers Partnership on behalf of Shared Care Scotland.

How to apply to Respitality in Glasgow.

Taking a break from caring is important because your emotional health and wellbeing are important. Breaks help unpaid Carers to:

• Step away from daily routines
• Rest and feel cared for
• Spend quality time with others
• Return to your caring role with fresh energy.

You can apply for Carers Breaks funding if you are:

• An unpaid Carer
• Living in the north-east of Glasgow, and
• Working with GAMH North East Carers service.

You can apply for Time to Live funding through GAMH if you:

• Are an unpaid Carer, and
• Live in Glasgow.

You can apply to Respitality if you:

• Are an unpaid Carer, and
• Live in Glasgow.

To apply to any of the funds, contact your local Carers Centre for further details:

• GAMH North East Carers Service: 0141 404 3769 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Glasgow North West Carers Service: 0141 954 1010 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Glasgow South Carers Centre: 0141 423 0728 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

GAMH also provides a range of support and training for Carers in the north-east of Glasgow.

We can offer support and advice to help make daily life easier and training for Carers to support your emotional health and wellbeing.