Summary
During the funding period, Fife Young Carers successfully delivered 10 day-trip activities and one residential break for young carers across Fife. These opportunities were provided throughout the school holiday periods in October 2025, February 2026, April 2026, July 2026 and August 2026, ensuring young carers had regular access to respite, social opportunities and recreational experiences throughout the year. A diverse programme of activities was developed to meet the varying interests, abilities and needs of the young carers who attended. The programme included a balance of high-energy, adventurous activities alongside more relaxed and creative experiences, helping to ensure that all participants could access activities that reflected their individual preferences and interests. The activities delivered during the funding period included: Spooktacular Fun Fair, Bowling and Soft Play, Go Ape, Spray Painting Workshop, Laser Tag, Murder Mystery Evening, Pizza Making Workshop at an Italian restaurant in Edinburgh, followed by a visit to the National Museum. St Andrews Aquarium, Nae Limits Outdoor Adventure Centre and Landmark Adventure Park were also visited. In addition, young carers participated in a two-night residential break at Lochgoilhead Scout Adventures Centre. The residential provided an extended opportunity for young carers to enjoy a range of outdoor activities, develop confidence and independence, build friendships with peers, and take a meaningful break from their caring responsibilities. The varied programme of day trips and the residential experience enabled young carers to access new opportunities, spend time with peers who share similar experiences, and enjoy positive recreational activities in a safe and supportive environment. These breaks offered valuable respite from their caring role while supporting their social, emotional and personal development
What Fife Young Carers has learned
Through the delivery of this programme, several key lessons were learned about designing and providing effective short breaks for young carers.
Firstly, offering a varied programme of activities was essential in ensuring that short breaks were accessible and appealing to a wide range of young carers. By providing a balance of adventurous, creative, educational and social activities, the project was able to accommodate different interests, confidence levels and support needs. This flexibility helped maximise participation and engagement across the group.
Secondly, delivering activities throughout the year and during school holiday periods proved particularly effective. Young carers often experience increased caring responsibilities during holidays and can have fewer opportunities to socialise with peers. Providing regular breaks at key points throughout the year gave young carers something positive to look forward to and ensured ongoing support rather than a one-off intervention.
The project also reinforced the importance of creating opportunities for young carers to connect with others who share similar experiences. While the activities themselves were important, the opportunity to build friendships, reduce isolation and feel understood by peers was consistently valued by participants. The social connections developed through the programme often continued beyond the activities themselves.
Another key learning point was the value of offering both day trips and longer residential experiences. Day trips provided accessible, low-pressure opportunities for young carers to participate and benefit from regular respite. The residential break offered a deeper level of impact, allowing young people to develop independence, confidence and stronger peer relationships through a longer period away from their caring role.
The project also highlighted the importance of listening to young carers' views and involving them in activity planning. Activities that reflected the interests and preferences expressed by young carers achieved the highest levels of engagement and satisfaction. Maintaining a young person-centred approach helped ensure that the programme remained relevant and responsive to changing needs.
Finally, the experience demonstrated that effective short breaks are about more than simply providing recreational activities. The greatest impact was achieved when activities were delivered within a supportive environment where young carers felt safe, included and recognised. Combining enjoyable experiences with opportunities for personal development, social connection and respite resulted in meaningful outcomes for participants' wellbeing, confidence and resilience.
Overall, the project demonstrated that effective short breaks for young carers are those that are varied, regular, accessible, shaped by young people's views and focused on both enjoyment and wellbeing outcomes.
Impact on beneficiaries
The activities and residential break provided young carers with valuable opportunities to take a break from their caring responsibilities, spend time with peers who understand their experiences, and enjoy positive experiences that may otherwise have been inaccessible to them.
Feedback from participants indicated that the activities helped to reduce feelings of stress and isolation by providing regular opportunities to socialise, have fun and build friendships in a supportive environment. Many young carers reported increased confidence in trying new activities and meeting new people, particularly through the adventure-based experiences and residential break.
The varied programme ensured that young carers with different interests and support needs were able to participate in activities they enjoyed. This encouraged greater engagement and helped young carers feel included and valued. Creative activities, such as the spray-painting workshop and pizza-making experience, provided opportunities for self-expression and skill development, while outdoor and adventure activities helped build confidence, resilience, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
The two-night residential break at Lochgoilhead Scout Adventures Centre had a particularly significant impact. For many participants, this was their first experience of staying away from home with peers. The residential provided an extended period of respite from caring responsibilities, enabling young carers to relax, develop independence and form stronger friendships. Young people returned from the experience reporting increased self-confidence, improved social connections and a greater sense of wellbeing.
Overall, the programme contributed to improved emotional wellbeing, reduced social isolation, increased confidence and stronger peer support networks. By providing enjoyable and accessible opportunities throughout the year, the project enabled young carers to experience positive childhood activities, create lasting memories and feel recognised and supported in their role as young carers.