The second round of funding for Carer Breather services has been allocated to 11 organisations across North Lanarkshire. The funding will be used to provided breaks to carers from their caring roles in their local communities. These breaks allow carers to access time-out a few hours per week to focus on themselves in ways that support overall wellbeing.
Some services provide support for carers at the same time as providing support for the person they care for. This reflects requests from carers that they can access support that allows them to enjoy some joint time-out to relax in a community setting.
Carer Breather projects are funded by Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (H&SC NL) in partnership with Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) and North Lanarkshire Carers Together who support the projects via the Carer Support Network.
New projects and more support for families
Projects will be funded from now until April 2025 and are accessible to all carers living in North Lanarkshire. In this funding round, provision for parent carers of children with additional support needs has been given a boost with Pamis, Play Peace and One Parent Families Scotland providing new services for families.
A further brand new service comes from North Lanarkshire Disability Forum who will be providing carer breaks supplemented by sharing expert advice on disability rights to support carers in their caring roles.
A number of existing Carer Breather services were funded for a second time in this round, with the two year funding period providing sustainability of carer services in a number of our communities.
Carer Breather projects 2023-2025
- Bazooka Arts
- Getting Better Together Shotts
- Glenboig Development Trust
- North Lanarkshire Disability Forum
- One Parent Families Scotland
- Pamis
- Parkinson’s Self Help Group North Lanarkshire
- Play Peace
- The Haven
- The Health and Wellness Hub
- Watch Us Grow
Carers can self-refer to the Carer Breather services by contacting the organisations directly. Some services are currently available, while others will be taking enquiries while they set up projects.
Co-design of services
Designed in partnership with carers in North Lanarkshire, Carer Breather is a pioneering initiative that not only supports carers to have time out, but also ensures carers have better access to their communities and works to reduce loneliness, isolation and foster friendships and relationships.
A full directory of services will soon be published on our website when all are up and running. In the meantime if you have any questions about accessing Carer Breather services please email us at enquiries@carerstogether.org or, as above, contact the organisation you wish to speak to directly.