Summary
During the funding period, we delivered a diverse programme of regular activities and short breaks for unpaid carers of all ages, including young carers, young adult carers and adult carers. The primary focus of the programme was to provide meaningful breaks from caring, while also improving health and emotional wellbeing, reducing isolation and building peer support networks. We sustained a range of regular peer support opportunities, including monthly groups for carers supporting someone with dementia, parent carers, mental health carers and young adult carers, alongside local coffee mornings and weekly drop-in opportunities. These groups provided safe and welcoming spaces where carers could step away from the demands of their caring role, connect with others who understood their experiences, access information and support, and develop lasting peer relationships. For many carers, these regular groups became an important and consistent break in their routine. The funding enabled us to offer a variety of wellbeing and social activities that gave carers dedicated time away from their caring responsibilities. Activities included Tai Chi and relaxation sessions, social events such as afternoon teas and cinema outings, and wellbeing-focused opportunities including cold water therapy sessions. These activities allowed carers to focus on their own wellbeing, reduce stress, build confidence and enjoy experiences that would otherwise have been difficult to access because of their caring role. Young carers benefited from the addition of fun, therapeutic and developmental activities delivered through our regular sessions. Experiences included animal therapy sessions, drumming workshops and other engaging opportunities designed to promote wellbeing, resilience and social connection. Importantly, these sessions provided young carers with opportunities to enjoy fun activities while at their groups and simply enjoy being children and young people, thus improving their wellbeing and creating fun spaces. Young adult carers also took part in new and different social and recreational activities chosen by the group, including axe throwing, meals out and escape rooms. These sessions helped reduce isolation, strengthen friendships and improve emotional wellbeing during a life stage where caring responsibilities can significantly impact social opportunities. They provided much needed time away from caring and the chance to focus on themselves, their interests and friendships. Throughout the project, activities were supported by volunteers, who played an important role in welcoming participants, supporting group delivery and helping to create inclusive and supportive environments. Some groups continued to be led or co-facilitated by volunteers, demonstrating the value of lived experience and peer support, particularly in creating opportunities where carers could take a break and spend time with others who understood their circumstances. Promotion of the programme was carried out through our networks, partner organisations and community connections, helping us reach carers from across West Lothian. Through a combination of regular groups, wellbeing activities, social opportunities and peer support, the project successfully provided carers with meaningful and accessible breaks from caring, while helping them feel less isolated, improve their wellbeing and strengthen supportive connections with others.
What Carers of West Lothian has learned
Key learnings were the importance of offering a varied programme of short breaks to meet the different needs, interests and circumstances of carers. No single activity suits everyone, and providing a mix of wellbeing activities, peer support, social experiences and activities for carers and cared-for people together enabled us to engage a wide range of participants.
Activities with an ongoing wellbeing focus were particularly successful. Tai Chi provided carers with a break from caring while introducing techniques they could continue to use independently. Some participants reported practising Tai Chi at home to manage stress and support their wellbeing, highlighting the value of activities that continue to have a positive impact beyond the funded programme. This will inform future delivery, with increased focus on activities that carers can continue independently.
For young carers, activities such as drumming workshops and animal therapy sessions provided therapeutic benefits while remaining fun and engaging. Delivering these within existing young carer groups reduced the need for additional travel and enabled young carers to access new experiences within familiar and trusted environments.
Funded activities provided experiences that young carers, young adult carers and some adult carers would not otherwise have been able to access due to financial pressures. Carers often face additional daily costs linked to their caring role, making opportunities such as these particularly important. Feedback showed that trying new activities increased confidence, improved wellbeing and created positive memories. For young adult carers, the social aspect was especially valuable, providing opportunities to connect with others and enjoy experiences they often miss because of their caring responsibilities.
Creative Breaks funding covered the full cost of these activities. Without this support, we would not have been able to provide opportunities or achieve positive outcomes reported. The funding played a vital role in reducing financial barriers and enabling meaningful breaks, social connections and new experiences.
A challenge throughout the project was the unpredictability of carers' lives. Last-minute cancellations were common as caring responsibilities, health issues and changing circumstances often took priority. This reinforced the importance of flexibility in the design and delivery of short breaks.
Not all activities achieved the attendance levels anticipated. Cold-water therapy sessions attracted fewer participants than expected, although those who attended reported significant benefits. Future delivery will therefore focus on fewer sessions and a wider range of wellbeing activities informed by feedback from carers.
The cinema event provided valuable learning. Although some booked participants did not attend, the additional space improved the experience, particularly for families supporting someone with additional needs. Feedback highlighted the value of being able to move around freely without worrying about disturbing others.
We also saw lower engagement from carers in rural communities and areas of multiple deprivation than anticipated. This has highlighted the need for more targeted promotion and outreach to raise awareness and increase participation. While we will strengthen communications within these communities, we recognise that we cannot guarantee who will choose to engage. Our focus will be on ensuring opportunities are promoted as widely and accessibly as possible.
Impact on beneficiaries
By providing regular opportunities for carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities, carers improved their wellbeing, built social connections and accessed support from others with shared experiences. Through a combination of peer support opportunities, wellbeing activities and social experiences, the project successfully met all three outcomes.
1. Carers had more opportunities to enjoy a life outside of their caring role
Many carers told us that caring responsibilities often left little time for themselves, their interests, friendships or social activities. The project created regular opportunities for carers to step away from caring, focus on their own needs and take part in activities they enjoyed.
Carers valued having something positive to look forward to and appreciated being able to spend time on themselves without feeling guilty.
"I never do anything for myself anymore. Coming here gives me something to look forward to and reminds me that I'm more than just a carer."
Activities enabled carers to reconnect with interests, try new experiences and spend time with others away from the pressures of caring. Many developed meaningful friendships and peer relationships that continued beyond organised activities.
"What started as meeting at the group has turned into real friendships. We now meet up ourselves and keep in touch between sessions."
Young adult carers benefited from socialising with peers who understood the challenges of balancing caring responsibilities with education, employment and social life.
"Being a young adult carer can feel isolating. These activities gave me the chance to spend time with people my own age and just enjoy myself."
2. Carers felt better supported to sustain their caring role
The project helped carers feel better supported by connecting them with others who understood the realities of caring. Participants consistently highlighted the value of speaking with people who shared similar experiences, reducing feelings of isolation and helping them feel understood.
"It's such a relief to talk to people who just get it. I don't have to explain myself because they've lived it too."
The friendships and peer networks developed through the project became an important source of practical and emotional support. Many carers described feeling reassured knowing they had people they could contact when facing challenges or difficult periods.
"Even when I'm having a difficult day, I know there is someone I can message who understands. That support means a lot."
Wellbeing-focused activities were particularly effective in helping carers manage stress and build resilience. Participants valued having dedicated time to focus on their own wellbeing.
"Tai Chi gave me an hour each week where I could completely focus on myself. I always left feeling calmer, more relaxed and better able to cope with my caring responsibilities."
Young carers also highlighted the benefits of enjoying fun activities at their groups, giving them time to focus on themselves and enjoy a break from caring responsibilities.
"I got to try things I would never normally get the chance to do. It gave me a break from worrying and helped me relax."
Activities with an ongoing wellbeing focus were particularly successful. Tai Chi and cold-water therapy provided carers with skills they could continue to use independently, with some participants reporting they continued using techniques at home.
3. Carers and the people they care for experienced improved wellbeing
The project had a positive impact on the wellbeing of both carers and cared-for people. Participants frequently reported feeling less isolated, less stressed and more positive.
"I always come away feeling lighter. It helps me recharge and I cope much better afterwards."
An important benefit for cared-for people was having opportunities to spend time apart from their carer. While carers attended activities and groups, cared-for people could spend time with family, friends or support networks, or pursue their own interests. This gave both individuals a break from their usual routines.
Carers consistently told us that time apart benefited them both, supporting wellbeing and strengthening relationships. For some, it created opportunities for carers to explore additional sources of support for the person they care for.
"It's good for both of us. While I'm out, my husband spends time with his son and they both enjoy that time together."
Other activities including afternoon teas, cinema outings and family events enabled carers and cared-for people to enjoy shared experiences in a relaxed and supportive environment.
"The group gave us the opportunity to spend quality time together, meet others in similar situations and enjoy an activity that took us away from our usual routines. We both left feeling happier and more connected."
The Christmas movie night was a particularly good example of how inclusive activities benefited whole families. The event provided a safe, understanding environment where carers, young carers and cared-for people could enjoy a shared experience without fear of judgement.
"It was nice to be in the cinema and have no one bother if my brother was sitting still, moving about or asking lots of questions. Usually when this happens when we're at the cinema sometimes people look at us and it feels awkward. But tonight no one did that."
Participants valued opportunities to create positive memories together that were not centred on illness, disability or caring responsibilities.
"It was lovely to spend time together doing something enjoyable rather than focusing on appointments, caring tasks or day-to-day challenges. We don't often get the chance to go out and do things together, so the afternoon tea gave us valuable quality time together and something positive to talk about afterwards. We both had a really nice afternoon."
Overall, feedback demonstrates activities successfully delivered meaningful breaks from caring, strengthened social connections and improved wellbeing for both carers and cared-for people. Carers developed stronger support networks, increased resilience and greater opportunities to enjoy life beyond their caring role. At the same time, cared-for people benefited from opportunities for both time apart and quality time together, helping to strengthen relationships and create more positive, sustainable caring arrangements. Participants told us the regular and accessible breaks from caring made a real difference to their daily lives and wellbeing.