£1 million funding for short breaks projects for disabled children and young people (aged 20 years old and under) and their carers is now available through the Better Breaks programme.

Managed by Shared Care Scotland, the programme provides 12 month grants to third sector organisations to develop and deliver short breaks projects and services for disabled children and young people, and their carers (adult carers and young carers).A wide range of short breaks projects and services are funded, including activities and breaks for:

disabled children and young people without their carers
families to enjoy together
adult or parent carers without the child or young person they care for
young or sibling carers with the person they care for

Short breaks projects and activities can include breaks away (including overnight stays and residential breaks), days out, and shorter sessions (including regular activities).Grants are for one year (April 2021 – March 2022).

Eligibility criteria:

This funding is for third sector and voluntary organisations operating in Scotland. Applicants do not have to be a registered charity to apply, but must have a constitution that states their organisation’s purposes are solely charitable and that it delivers public benefit in achieving its purpose(s).

To be eligible for Better Breaks funding, projects must be able to evidence how their activities will benefit both disabled children and young people, and their carers, by providing a break from their normal routine.

Organisations must also have all of the relevant registrations, policies and procedures required for their work in place (e.g. PVG checks, safeguarding, Care Inspectorate registration etc.), and have appropriate and effective governance and financial management arrangements, along with a bank account in the name of the organisation which requires at least two signatories.

Application support:

The Short Breaks Funding team at Shared Care Scotland is holding applicant support workshops via Zoom on the following dates:

To book your place, please click on the relevant date above.

The team is also offering phone-in sessions:

Session 1: Tuesday 13^thOctober, 10am – 12pm
Session 2: Thursday 15^thOctober, 2pm – 4pm
Session 3: Wednesday 21^stOctober, 10am – 12pm
Session 4: Wednesday 28th October, 2pm – 4pm

To book a slot during a phone-in session, contact Amanda Moffat by email: amanda.moffat@sharedcarescotland.com

Please state the day which works best for you; the team will then contact you to confirm your call in session slot.

For further information, please view or download the guidance for applicants as a pdf.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 19^th November.

To apply (or for further information), please visit the Shared Care Scotland website and download application form, budget template and guidance for applicants. Completed applications should be submitted by email to: applications@sharedcarescotland.com