About this funding
Creative Breaks is a funding programme of the Short Breaks Fund, operated by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. The purpose of the Short Breaks Fund is to increase the range, availability and choice of short breaks for carers and those they care for across Scotland. The Short Breaks Fund aims to make a lasting positive impact to carers and the people that they care for, to funded organisations, and to wider short breaks policy and practice.
The Creative Breaks programme provides grant funding to third sector organisations to develop and deliver short breaks projects and services for carers of adults (aged 21 years and over), carers of older people (aged 65 years and over), young carers (caring for children or adults), and the people that they care for.
The Creative Breaks programme funds a wide range of different short breaks activities – including breaks away (i.e. overnight stays, residential breaks), days out, and/or shorter sessions (i.e. regular activities). To be eligible for Creative Breaks funding, activities must be designed to enable carers to have a life outside or alongside their caring role, and to support their health and wellbeing. Short breaks should also benefit the cared-for person and others (e.g. family members) and help sustain the caring relationship.
Short break activities can be for the carers, for the people they care for, or for both the carers and the cared-for people to enjoy together. To be eligible for Creative Breaks funding, projects must be able to evidence how their activities will benefit both the carers and the people they care for, by providing a break from their normal routine. This applies even if only one party actually participates in the activity: e.g. the cared-for person attends a weekly social club. In this example, the project must demonstrate how the cared-for person attending the club provides a meaningful short break for the carer that meets their needs.
Next funding round
The 2019-20 round of Creative Breaks funding closed for applications on 23 May 2019. Applications are now being processed. The Grants Advisory Panel will meet in early September to allocate funding. Applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision by mid-September.
The next round of the Creative Breaks programme is scheduled to open for applications in Spring 2020.
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Currently funded projects
You can view a list of projects that are currently funded by Creative Breaks by visiting our ‘funded projects’ page: https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/funded-projects/
Previously funded projects
All end of grant reports from previously funded projects can be viewed via our Short Break Stories website: http://shortbreakstories.org.uk/type/creative-breaks-service-development/
You can download a copy of the 2016-17 Creative Breaks annual snapshot report here: https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/04848-Creative-Breaks-overview.pdf