The Better Breaks programme is now open for applications, with around £1.7 million available for 12 month grants (April 2027 – March 2028) for short breaks projects for disabled children and young people (aged 20 years old and under) and their carers (adult carers and/or young carers).
Better Breaks is a funding programme of the Short Breaks Fund, operated by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of the National Carers Organisations and Scottish Government. The aim of the Short Breaks Fund is to increase the range, availability, and choice of short breaks for unpaid carers and those they care for across Scotland. Better Breaks funds a wide range of short breaks projects and services, including activities and breaks for:
- disabled children and young people without their carers
- young or sibling carers with the person they care for
- families to enjoy together
Eligibility
The funding is open to third sector organisations operating in Scotland. Applicants do not have to be a registered charity, but must have a constitution which states the organisation’s purposes are solely charitable, and that it delivers public benefit in achieving its purpose(s).
All eligibility information is available in the application guidance (please note, this link is an instant download).
Application Support and Resources
- Resources and Toolkits
Shared Care Scotland has a range of free resources and tools to help develop the project plan and application, including:
- various toolkits
- the Better Breaks 2024 – 2025 impact report
- a recording of the most recent applicant support workshop (also available on the main Better Breaks page)
- One to One Support
To book a one to one call, or for further information, please contact Nicola Lockwood, Better Breaks Grants Officer, by email: sbf@sharedcarescotland.com
Application Deadline and How to Apply
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
Applications should be submitted via the online application form. A Word document version of the application form is also available to download. Applications made via the online form can be saved and returned to, though the following documents must be uploaded with the application:
- the organisation’s governing document or constitution
- the organisation’s most recent signed financial statement and accounts
- any formal partnership agreements
- for multiple agreements, these will need to be on the same document to upload, or can be sent directly by email: sbf@sharedcarescotland.com
- any staff job roles to be funded; Better Breaks do not require sessional staff or volunteer role descriptions
- as above, for multiple job roles, these will need to be on the same document to upload, or can be sent directly by email: sbf@sharedcarescotland.com
Please note, completed budgets should be downloaded from the application, or are available to download via the Shared Care Scotland website (instant Excel download).
Further Information
For further information, please visit the Shared Care Scotland website.
Leave a Reply