Creative Breaks OPEN
Creative Breaks: now OPEN for applications
The Creative Breaks programme of the Short Breaks Fund is now open for applications for 2026–2027.
The Creative Breaks programme provides 12-month grants to third sector organisations to develop and deliver short breaks projects and services for carers of adults (aged 21 years and over), and young carers (caring for children or adults), and the people that they care for.
Short breaks activities can take many different forms, including breaks away (i.e. overnight stays or residential breaks), days out, and/or shorter sessions (i.e. regular activities). 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 unpaid carers and the people they care for, by providing a break from their normal routine.
A total of around £1.6m is available. Grants are for one year (October 2026–September 2027).
Can we apply?
This funding is for third sector (voluntary organisations) operating in Scotland. You do not have to be a registered charity to apply. However, your organisation must have a constitution that states your organisation’s purposes are solely charitable and that it delivers public benefit in achieving its purpose(s).
For full details, please refer to the guidance.
Apply online now
You can now make an application online. The closing date is Thursday 16 April 2025 at 5.00pm
You can save your application and return to it at any point prior to the deadline. You can upload the following with your application:
- Your organisations governing document or constitution.
- Your organisations most recent signed financial statement and accounts.
- Any formal partnership agreements (for multiple agreements you will need to add these to the same document to upload or email them to us sbf@sharedcarescotland.com).
- Any staff job roles you are seeking funding for (we do not require sessional staff or volunteer role descriptions. For multiple job roles you will need to add these to the same document to upload or email them to us sbf@sharedcarescotland.com).
- Completed budgets should be downloaded from the application or are available for download here.
We're here to help
The Short Breaks Fund team is here to help. We know that writing funding applications can take a lot of time and effort. We are happy to answer any questions you have about the fund, how to apply and about your proposed project.
If you have any questions about Creative Breaks or would like to organise a call to discuss a potential application please email sbf@sharedcarescotland.com.
Please note: we are unable to comment on draft applications.
Resources and toolkits
We have a range of free resources and tools to help you develop your project plan and application. You can view and download all of these resources here.
Our Creative Breaks 2024–2025 impact report is now available.
Applicant support workshop
Our applicant support workshop took place on 17 March 2025. For those who were unable to attend, or who would like a recap of discussion, a recording of the session is available below:
What happens next?
Assessment process
Once we have completed eligibility checks, applications are passed to our team of independent grants assessors. The assessor will contact you to arrange a time for a telephone or video call assessment. Please make sure that the person(s) who will be talking to the assessor can speak knowledgably about the organisation and the project.
Grant Allocation Panel (GAP)
Our independent Grants Allocation Panel (GAP) will meet in August 2026 to review the assessors’ recommendations and allocate funding.
Timescales
You will be notified of the panel’s decision during the week commencing 24 August 2026. Grants will be issued to successful applicants by October 2026. Funded projects must be completed by 30 September 2027.
Details of the different stages of the funding programme can be viewed in our Short Breaks Fund timeline.
Closing date for applications is Thursday 16 April at 5.00pm.
Our approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
At Shared Care Scotland, we are committed to transparency and accountability in the administration of the Short Breaks Fund. In line with this, we wish to acknowledge that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as language models, may be used to support the drafting and preparation of funding and related documentation, including funding applications and preparation of mid-grant and end-of-year grant impact reports.
Find out more about our approach to AI usage.