Stepping Out - Short Breaks for Carers

Brief description:

Our Stepping Out®„¢ programme includes fully inclusive respite breaks for carers across Scotland. Breaks range from 1 to 4-nights and include stays in cities, remote rural locations and the Scottish Isles. Accommodation, meals, travel and activities are provided free of charge. To apply, please fill out an application form - contact us to request a form.

Organisation name:

Care for Carers

Type of break:

Carer Breaks

Care needs catered for:

Carer Support

Ages catered for:

Young People, Adults, Older Adults

How do people access your service:

Applications for places are accepted from across Scotland. Carers can refer directly themselves as can all professionals and practitioners across agencies. We require a simple application form to be completed for each break requested.

Type of accommodation:

We offer a variety of accommodation which includes outdoor education centres, hotels and cottages. We will endeavour to give carers their own room where possible however we do sometimes ask carers to share a room.

Cultural needs catered for:

Stepping Out®„¢ is open and accessible to all cultures. We will cater for specific diet needs and can work to support carers with their own religious or cultural needs over the course of the break.

Full service description:

Since 2000 Care for Carers have been developing and running Stepping Out®„¢ short residential breaks for carers. We aim to provide a rolling programme of breaks from throughout the year. We can cater for up to 22 carers on each break, however some trips are much smaller groups of 6-8, depending on the venue and destination. Our Residential breaks take place in a variety of different venues. Breaks take place across Scotland, visiting cities, and remote rural settings, along with our visits to the Scottish Islands of Coll and Lismore. Some of our breaks are themed (such as Astronomy/Yoga and Mindfulness/City Art breaks). This gives the carer a chance to choose a break that suits them best. Breaks offer a variety of workshops, therapy sessions, activities, events and the opportunity to share meals, have a rest and socialise with other carers. We pride ourselves in providing our carers with a relaxed, stress free break, our carers have told us that they feel more relaxed, less stressed and have had a positive and enjoyable experience. They look forward to their residential weekend with us every year, telling us that they feel 'Looked after'. Applications for places are accepted from across Scotland.  We will endeavour to place the carer on the most suitable trip for their needs and availability, we ask them to give us their 1st and 2nd choices and will try where ever possible to match with one of those.

Price information:

Stepping Out®„¢ is free for carers across Scotland, however we will prioritise places for carers living in Edinburgh. Places may be prioritised for specific carer groups depending on funding streams.

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

The residential breaks are inclusive of travel, residential, catering and activity costs. Allocations of places are made after taking everything into consideration for suitability of each trip. Unfortunately we cannot provide respite costs for the cared for person at home. Transport from the meeting point onwards is covered, the point of contact varies for each break.

Any other information you think people might find helpful:

The weekend is run by up to 4 residential leaders, depending on the size of group, who are available all weekend to give information, emotional and informal support to carers over the course of the break. The service has been evaluated and highly recommended by carers, especially in connecting them to other carers, making friendships and enjoying themselves without any caring responsibilities to worry about. Stepping Out ®„¢ is open to carers from across all areas of Scotland.

Organisation providing this information:

Care for Carers

Quality Assurance Accreditation:

OSCR, Investing in Volunteers

General accessibility:

Level entry to premises or ramp available, Parking available by premises, Accessible bedroom(s) on the ground floor, Accessible bedroom(s) on the upper floors (lift available)

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