Breaks from Caring
Having a life alongside your caring role is vital and this includes regular breaks from your caring routine. One of the core services within the Carers Gateway is a comprehensive breaks service.
These breaks provide carers with a much-needed opportunity for self-care, allowing you to temporarily step back from your responsibilities and focus on your own wellbeing. By enjoying time away from caring, you can reduce stress, maintain physical health, and reconnect with friends or hobbies. This can enable you to return to your caregiving role with renewed energy and a healthier balance in your life, ensuring that both you and the person you care for receive the best possible care and support.
Respitality
Respitality is one way in which unpaid carers in South Ayrshire can access a break. The Carers Gateway, together with Shared Care Scotland and other carers services across Scotland, can offer carers complementary short breaks from the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector in Scotland.
The types of breaks available vary but can include a day out at a visitor attraction, dinner out at a restaurant, an overnight stay or a cup of coffee and slice of cake at a local café. The Gateway team organises everything for you and the break can be enjoyed by a carer and can include the person they care for too.
- You feel you need a short break from Caring.
- You contact 01292 263000 & ask for a Short Break.
- Short Breaks Officer arranges your initial consultation.
- During initial consultation key details are gathered.
- If required, an in-person appointment can then be arranged or further call to help identify specific break & potential funding/assist with panel application.
- Following the independent funding panel, the decision is shared and payment/booking arranged.
- Following your break, Our staff will contact you to find out how it all went.
Time to Live: Small Grants, Big Difference
If so, you may be eligible for a Time to Live microgrant — a small fund that can help you take a meaningful break and do more of the things you love.
What is Time to Live?
Time to Live is a funding programme from Shared Care Scotland delivered by Carers Gateway South Ayrshire. It’s designed to give unpaid carers the chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy regular short breaks away from their caring role.
These grants aren’t just about taking a break — they’re about boosting your wellbeing in ways that matter to you.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you are:
- An unpaid carer living in South Ayrshire
- An adult caring for another adult
- A young carer (under 18 or still in school)
When can I apply?
- First-time applying? You can apply at any time — we’re here when you’re ready.
- Applied before? You’ll be able to apply again 18 months after the date of your last successful application.
This updated timescale helps us make Time to Live funding available to more carers across South Ayrshire — especially those who haven’t had the chance to benefit from it before.
What can the grant be used for?
You can use your grant for anything that gives you a bit of breathing space and taps into your hobbies, passions, or interests. Here are just a few ideas:
- Unlimited cinema pass
- Gym or fitness membership
- Massage or holistic therapies
- Theatre or concert tickets
- Meals out or special treats
- Tech items like a tablet or smartphone
- Creative or wellbeing classes (e.g. yoga, pottery, photography)
- Subscription services (Audible, Netflix, Disney+, magazines)
Whether it’s something relaxing, fun, or enriching — this is your time.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Grants can’t be used for household bills, appliances, or debt repayments
- Please don’t purchase or book anything before you apply — we can only fund future breaks or items
- Grants are contributions and might not cover the full cost, so please consider how you’ll cover any extra if needed
- We aim to process and pay out successful applications within 2 weeks, though delays can occasionally happen. We’ll keep you updated if so!
If you’re always putting others first, this is your chance to put you first – even just for a little while.
Ready to apply or want to find out more?
Complete the application form below or contact southayrshire.carers@unity-enterprise.com for more information