Short break funding for families in Scotland

2nd May 2012 from Family Fund

Disabled children, young people and their families benefiting from £2m short breaks funding

Nearly £2m of Scottish Government money has been distributed to families of disabled children and their support organisations by the charities Family Fund and Shared Care Scotland.

Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson MSP said:
“Short breaks are vitally important to carers and young carers as they give them a much needed break from their caring role, which can be tiring and stressful.  I’m delighted that so many organisations and individuals are benefiting from this £2m funding, which will support a wide range of short breaks for disabled children and young people and their parent carers.

“We are funding many different types of short breaks including carers having a break away, those who are ill or disabled having a break away and people having a break together with additional support.”

The two programmes Take a Break and Better Breaks, administered by the charities Family Fund and Shared Care Scotland were set up to increase the choice and control that carers have over the short breaks or respite care that they take. The programmes have now been closed to further applications, but both charities hope that each will receive similar funds to distribute in the coming financial year.

One parent tells her story:

"Having a daughter with learning disabilities has had its trials. A lot of our family trips have been upset or ruined by Darcy's behaviour over the years but I have always persevered so that Kieran, her brother, could enjoy all things that other people have access to.

A family visit to Barcelona for the day whilst in Spain on holiday a few years ago was a disaster! As soon as we arrived we had to leave as my daughter decided that she did not want to be there. It was very disheartening for the whole family but especially for my Kieran, who had been looking forward to the trip for weeks. I promised I would take him to Barcelona again but financial circumstances didn't actually allow me to follow through on my promise. 

Receiving the grant from Take a Break was fantastic and allowed Kieran and me to have a wonderful (budget!) trip to Barcelona. My daughter, Darcy had a wonderful holiday at Lourdes too so it was even more relaxing for me knowing that she was also enjoying herself. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

The charity PLUS received funding to extend its services to families with disabled children less than five years of age, their chief executive, Paul Dumbleton, said:
“PLUS is delighted to have the resources to start work with under fives with disabilities in Stirling.  We know that parents of young children with disabilities really need a break and that they also value opportunities to share experiences with other families. Children love to play together and that this is an important part of their childhood that they should not be denied. PLUS is grateful for the way that the Scottish Government is making resources directly available to grass roots organisations.” 

In all,  1200 families received a grant of between £200 -­‐   £500 to help fund a short break; and 50 organisations that will work with an estimated 2000 disabled children recently received between £10,000 and £50,000 to provide a range of creative and fun breaks.

Don Williamson, Chief Executive of Shared Care Scotland said:
“Shared Care Scotland is delighted to be involved in this innovative partnership between Scottish Government and the third sector. We have been very pleased with the enthusiastic response from short break charities to this opportunity to create new and imaginative short break projects that will make a difference to so many families.  What has emerged clearly is that short break solutions don’t have to be complicated or even expensive – it’s making available the right break at the right time for individual families.”

And this was echoed by Derek Walpole Chief Executive of the Family Fund:
“The Family Fund has been overwhelmed with the response to Take a Break and the huge variety of ways in which families, when given the opportunity, chose to have time out from their daily routine.  This scheme has empowered families of disabled children to make their own choices, taking a break at the right time and in a manner which is right for their family.  We are delighted to be working together with Scottish Government and Shared Care Scotland to make a real difference.”

For further information on Take a Break visit: www.takeabreakscotland.org.uk
For a list of Better Breaks funded projects, click here