The second round of funding for Carer Breather services has been allocated to 11 organisations across North Lanarkshire. The services, funded by Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (H&SC NL) in partnership with Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) and with North Lanarkshire Carers Together (NLCT) leading the project, have been awarded the funding over a two-year term for 2023-2025.
The funding will be used to provided breaks to carers from their caring roles in their local communities. These breaks allow carers to access a few hours per week of time-out 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 enjoy some joint time-out to relax in a community setting.
New services for North Lanarkshire
Projects will be funded from now until 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 | Arts for Health and Wellbeing
Getting Better Together (shottshealthyliving.com)
Glenboig: Development Trust | Village of Glenboig (glenboigdevelopmenttrust.org.uk)
North Lanarkshire Disability Forum | Providing up to date information on Disability issues throughout North Lanarkshire (nldforum.org.uk)
One Parent Families Scotland – Serving single parents in Lanarkshire (opfs.org.uk)
PAMIS | Promoting a more inclusive society
Parkinson’s Self Help Group – North Lanarkshire – Home | Facebook
PlayPeace | Facebook
Home | 2021haven (thehavencentre.com)
The Health and Wellness Hub North Lanarkshire
Home | Watch US Grow
Health and Social Care NL team members can refer carers to the Carer Breather services by contacting the organisations directly, or by directing carers to self-refer. 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 with more detail will soon be shared when all are up and running. In the meantime, if staff have any questions about referring to Carer Breather services, please email enquiries@carerstogether.org