Young carers – children and young people who provide care for a family member, friend or neighbour, due to illness, disability, a physical or mental health condition, or substance use – often miss out on the everyday experiences enjoyed by their peers.
Funded by Shared Care Scotland’s Time to Live Fund, we have partnered with local charities, Edinburgh Young Carers, Capital Carers and Space, to increase opportunities for young carers to access short breaks.
More than half of young carers can’t get a regular break from caring, but it is hoped that this new partnership will provide more carers with the opportunity to take a much-needed break.
Young carers and young adult carers (age 5 to 25) being supported by Edinburgh Young Carers, Capital Carers or Space can apply. Short breaks from caring can look different for everyone and carers are encouraged to think creatively about what a break means to them. It might be a gym membership, a magazine subscription, or a trip away – anything that creates space and time away for carers from their caring routines.
Laura Hill, Deputy CEO at VOCAL, said:
“We are delighted to work in partnership with Edinburgh Young Carers, Capital Carers and Space to expand our offer of support to young carers. Like adult carers, young carers face many barriers to accessing a break, whether it’s practical, financial or emotional. Building on strong foundations laid by our partners, we hope this fund will make a real difference to Edinburgh’s young carers, giving them a chance to focus on themselves and have fun.”
Margaret Murphy, CEO of Edinburgh Young Carers, said:
“Edinburgh Young Carers are delighted to be part of this partnership with VOCAL. During difficult financial times, it can be challenging for families to be able to pay for activities or a break away. This funding will provide an amazing opportunity for our young carers and young adult carers to have a break from their caring responsibilities, and will allow them to have fun and a chance to be children and young people first and foremost.
“We look forward to sharing the amazing new memories our young people will make over the next year.”
Jenni McNab, Head of Policy and Communications at Shared Care Scotland added:
“Unpaid carers, including young carers, often sacrifice their time, health, and personal wellbeing to meet the needs of those they care for. Access to breaks from caring provides unpaid carers with the opportunity to maintain a life alongside their caring roles and improve their wellbeing. The Time to Live programme provides variety and choice of breaks to unpaid carers and supports unpaid carers to access breaks that meet individual outcomes.”
