Short Break 'Time to Live' Grants
****Our Short Break grant scheme, 'TIME TO LIVE', is now OPEN.****
We want to encourage carers, and the people they care for, to have a 'break', i.e. some time out from their regular caring routines. We want you to use the money to do something that you enjoy, that will give you something to look forward to and that will help promote good health and wellbeing.
Funding has been confirmed to offer Short Break 'Time to Live' grants to carers in Shetland in need of a break. The funding is from Scottish Government Short Breaks Funding, which is administered through Shared Care Scotland. Young carers can also apply to get a short break grant.
Carers can apply for a grant up to a maximum of £300 per carer towards their chosen short break. Funding awarded can go towards the cost of a holiday, activity, hobby or therapy etc.
Applications are assessed against the eligibility criteria. Carers can apply for ONE grant per financial year (from 1st April to 31st March)
Applications will be accepted throughout the year and assessed at scheduled short break panel meetings. The meeting dates for the panel meetings are:
- 30th June 2025
- 18th Aug 2025
- 30th Sept 2025
- 11th Nov 2025
- 13th Jan 2026
Applicants will be advised within three weeks of the panel meeting, the outcome of their application.
Applications that are time critical can be assessed at the panel's discretion in between meetings. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this further.
Please click here for 25/26 criteria to apply for a short break grant.
Applications that are successful, part of the conditions for the grant are that you will need to send us receipts for your Short Break. You will also be required to complete an evaluation form telling us about your Short Break which can be done online or a paper version can be completed. This helps us to monitor the success and up-take of the project.
If you would like to chat to a staff member about how to apply, or would like a paper copy sent out in the mail to apply for a Short Break grant then please contact Rachel McIntosh (Mon-Fri 9am to 2pm) on 01595 743923 or by e-mailing: carers@shetland.org
Shared Care Scotland have developed some 'Time to Live' flashcards which you may find useful in helping you make a decision on what to spend your Short Break grant on. We have divided the flashcards into groups (see below) - why not have a look at their real life stories?
How to Apply for a Short Break 'Time to Live' Grant- it's Easy
1. To apply online for a short break grant please click HERE for the application form.
***Applicants should also complete a health and wellbeing survey to support their application, which can be found HERE.***
2. If you do not want to apply online, please contact Rachel McIntosh (Mon-Fri 9am to 2pm) on 01595 743923 or email: carers@shetland.org and we can send you out a paper version of the application form.
3. Once Shetland Carers has received your completed application form we will acknowledge receipt.
4. This will then register you with our service so that we can record you are a carer.
Notes about the Application Process
1. As stated above Short Break Panel meetings take place regularly throughout the year. Applications that are time critical can be assessed at the panel’s discretion in between meetings. Applicants will be advised within three weeks of the meeting, the outcome of their application.
2. If your application is successful, we can either transfer money into your bank account or send out a cheque to you - whichever you prefer.
3. Any grant awarded will reflect a contribution towards the break, subject to a maximum amount of £300
4. Any carer in receipt of a grant between April 2024 and March 2025 would next be eligible to apply for a grant in the new grant period from April 2025 to March 2026.
4. Previous recipients can reapply in subsequent years, but if the fund is oversubscribed priority will be given to first time applicants.
5. Carers may be contacted about their appication if further information is required.
After Your Short Break
As stated above part of the conditions for the grant you will need to send us receipts for your Short Break. We also require that you fill in an evaluation form telling us about your Short Break which can be done online or a paper version can be completed. This helps us to monitor the success and up-take of the project and make improvements where necessary.
