Shared Care Scotland 01383 622462
Search the site

Searches website content (pages) only. Short Break Search is here

Stepping Out Short Residential Respite Breaks for Carers

Service Details

Type of break
  • Carer Breaks
Description

Stepping Out is an organised, structured residential break for carers. Currently the service runs from a Friday afternoon to the Sunday afternoon. The breaks incorporate, educational, therapeutic, emotional and social support for carers. Although the weekend is full of organised activities carers are welcome to feel free and use the time away as they want to. This begins on the Friday evening with a meal together followed by a range of therapy sessions which carers sign up for to receive an individual treatment.

Saturday morning is workshop based and may vary but usually incorporates some physical activity such as Tai Chi and emotional support such as Confidence Building, Relaxation and Stress Management.

Saturday afternoon has an organised mini-bus trip to a local place of interest and often an organised physical activity such as canoeing, walking, cycling.

Saturday evening is an organised social night out either a meal out or barge trip on the union canal with buffet provided.
Sunday morning is time for walking or free time before sunday lunch and the train journey home.

The weekend is run by up to 4 residential leaders who are available to give information and informal support to carers over the course of the weekend.
Stepping Out is open to carers from across all areas of Scotland through Short Breaks funding.

Care Needs
  • Carer Support
Service Location
  • West Lothian
Available to age groups
  • Young People
  • Adults
  • Older Adults
Accommodation

Stepping Out Short Residential Respite Breaks for Carers take place in the Low Port Education Centre, 1 Blackness Road, Linlithgow. The Centre is a local authority purpose built community and out door centre with high end residential facilities. All rooms are ensuite and have TVs as standard with 2 people sharing. The venue and catering has been evaluated by over 80% of carers attending the weekend breaks as being excellent in quality. 98% of carers felt more relaxed, less stressed and had a positive and enjoyable experience. (stats taken from last years service outcomes).

The carers have use of the Centre over the course of the weekend to take part in a variety of workshops, therapy sessions, share meals, have a rest and socialise.

Cultural needs

Stepping Out is open and accessible to all cultures. We cater for specific diet needs and can work to support carers with their own religious or cultural needs over the course of the break. Approx. 15% of carers attending the Stepping Out breaks come from minority ethnic groups.

How do people access your service

Service is accessed by an open referral system. Carers can refer directly themselves as can all professionals and practitioners across agencies.

A simple application form has to be completed for each break requested.

Young carers can be allocated a place as long as they are coming on the respite break with an adult carer or parent.

Price info

Stepping Out is a free service with all carer transport and catering costs included. The only cost not covered is the respite costs for the cared for person at home.

What is included/not included in the price of the break

As above, all carers residential and service costs are covered but respite arrangements for the cared for person must be made by the family.

With sufficient notice respite breaks can be planned/booked in advance to allow a carer to arrange a break away from their caring role
We can provide care in holiday accommodation (Hotels, Self Catering), where a carer is available in that area

Accessibility Details

General Accessibility
Level entry to premises or ramp available
No
Designated disabled parking spaces
No
Parking available by premises
No
Level entry to dining area/room or ramp/lift fitted
No
Level entry to kitchen (for self catering venues) or ramp available
No
Level entry to gardens or ramp available
No
Accessible bedroom(s) on the ground floor
No
Accessible bedroom(s) on the upper floors (lift available)
No
Bedroom Accessibility
Electric bed
No
Manual height adjustable bed
No
Tracker hoist
No
Manual hoist
No
Bedrails
No
Loopback system
No
Level entry wet floor shower
No
Drop down shower chair
No
Manual shower chair
No
Grab rails in shower
No
Accessible bedrooms
Single
0
Double
0
Twin
0
Other grab rails in wet room/bathroom
Other accessible features of accommodation
Further information regarding accommodation, location, activities and surrounding area

Contact Details

Organization name
Care for Carers
Alternative name
Stepping Out Residential Short Respite Breaks for Carers
Contact person
Ruth MacLennan
Address
Lochend House
33-35 Lochend Road South, Edinburgh, EH7 6BR
Telephone number
0131 661 2077 - The office is staffed on a part-time basis but most messages are responded to within a working day.
Fax number
0131 661 2077
Email address
admin@care4carers.org.uk
Web address
www.care4carers.org.uk
Alternative methods of communication

Photos

Click on the image to view full size photograph.

Additional Details

Information supplier

Care for Carers

Care Commission
Click here to view the Stepping Out Short Residential Respite Breaks for Carers record.
Additional information

Care for Carers currently holds funding for 3 Residential Breaks a year funded by CEC H&SC Dept and 2 residential break funded by Support In Mind. The Short Breaks Fund has funded 35 extra places, carers from across Scotland can access these places, the extra weekend dates are listed below;

The Stepping Out weekends for 2012 are:

11th to the 13th of May
1st to the 3rd of June
27th to the 29th of July
31st to the 2nd of September
5th to the 7th of October

While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, services are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change. If you discover any errors or inaccuracies please contact Shared Care Scotland.
Files available to download
Shared Care Scotland Unit 2, Dunfermline Business Centre, Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 3BZ Tel: Work 01383 622462 email: