Wee Breaks Fund
The Wee Breaks Fund offers unpaid carers registered with VOCAL opportunities to take a break from their caring responsibilities. This fund is available to carers who support someone living in Edinburgh or Midlothian. Our funding comes from Shared Care Scotland (Time to Live fund), Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, and Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership.
Your short break from caring can be anything that gives you time to yourself. It might be a short holiday, a massage treatment, tickets to an event or leisure activity, or more. Visit our Advice and information section for more help with planning your break.
Application information
- Your application must be endorsed by someone who has supported you or the person you care for in a professional way, such as a VOCAL carer support practitioner, GP, district nurse, occupational therapist, social worker, community psychiatric nurse, teacher or community worker
- If you apply for an overnight stay or holiday (up to 7 days), this must be within the UK. You can only apply for VOCAL funding for an overnight break once every two years
- You do not have to repay the grant, but you do have to submit receipts or other proof that you have spent the money on your planned break. You should spend the grant money within three months after receiving it
- The average Wee Breaks Fund grant will be around £400-450
- Your application should not be for something which is already provided by a local authority, NHS, or other agency’s service
- We will not consider more than one application for the same item – please only submit one application per break
Ready to apply?
Please note, completing an application does not guarantee you will receive the funding. When you apply, we also consider your current caring responsibilities and financial circumstances, and any previous applications you have submitted or funding you have received.
Midlothian Carer Assistance Fund (CAF)
The Midlothian Carer Assistance Fund provides one-off grants to carers in Midlothian to help manage the costs associated with their caring role, such as:
- Costs of setting up a Power of Attorney
- Energy costs associated with having your heating on more frequently
- Costs due to travelling to healthcare appointments
- Food costs if the person you care for needs a special diet
- Sitter service to help you attend your own healthcare appointments
- Personal hygiene or continence products
- Specialised clothing
- Specialist equipment or white goods which support the caring role
Grants are not limited to the examples provided above, but the funds must support costs that are directly related to your caring role and the rising cost of living.
Ready to apply?
To apply for Midlothian CAF, you must be a carer in Midlothian who is registered with VOCAL.
Please download the application form below, complete it and return digitally to or by post to:
VOCAL Midlothian Carer Centre, 30/1 Hardengreen Estate, Eskbank, Dalkeith, EH22 3NX.
