Deadline: 17-Nov-22
The Better Breaks Programme is now open for third-sector organisations to develop and deliver short breaks projects and services for disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under), and their carers (adult and/or young carers).
This is a 12-month grants programme of the Short Breaks Fund, operated by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of the National Carers Organisations and the Scottish Government.
The purpose 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.
The Better Breaks programme funds a wide range of short breaks projects and services, including activities and breaks for:
- Disabled children and young people without their carers
- families to enjoy together
- carers (adult/parent carers) without the child or young person they care for
- young/sibling carers with the person they care for.
Priorities
They are particularly keen to fund projects that address one of more of these priority issues. Projects that show how they will address one or more of these issues will attract higher scores at assessment:
- Complex needs : projects designed to enable children and young people with the most complex needs and their carers to access short breaks opportunities that meet their needs. These projects will understand and seek to overcome the barriers that can prevent families from accessing appropriate short break services and activities.
- Sports and active leisure: projects designed to improve the wellbeing and confidence of disabled children and young people through sports and active leisure activities, especially if this also improves access to mainstream sports and leisure facilities.
- Independence: projects designed to enable disabled children and young people to develop their independence and enjoy a social life outside the family home.
- Transition to adulthood: projects designed to build the confidence and life skills of disabled young people as they transition to adulthood.
- Diversity: projects designed to enable disabled children and young people from less-visible and underserved communities (including black and ethnic minority and Gypsy / Traveller families, families living in remote and rural areas or areas of multiple deprivation) to access short breaks opportunities that meet their needs. These projects will understand and seek to overcome the barriers that can prevent families from accessing appropriate short break services.
- Under 5s: projects designed to enable families with very young disabled children to access short breaks opportunities that meet their needs.
Funding Information
A total of around £1,200,000 is available for the 2023 round of the Better Breaks funding programme. Grants are for 12 months only. The funding period is 1 April 2023– 31 March 2024 and all funded activity must take place within this period. Grants will be awarded in March 2024. The maximum grant award is £35,000, however the average grant award in previous years has been around £15,000.
What they fund?
- The Better Breaks programme funds a wide range of short breaks projects and activities. These can include breaks away (i.e., overnight stays, residential breaks), days out, and/or shorter regular activities and sessions. The activities can be for disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under), for their carers, or for families to enjoy together.
- To be eligible for Better Breaks funding, projects must be able to evidence how their activities will benefit both disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under) and their carers, by providing a break from their normal routine. These breaks should increase opportunities for disabled children and young people to engage in activities they enjoy, give carers a break from their caring role, and improve wellbeing for all involved.
Eligibility Criteria
If you can answer ‘YES’ to the following four questions about your organisation, then you are eligible to apply for a Better Breaks grant:
- Is your organisation a third sector (voluntary) organisation operating in Scotland?
- Is your organisation a registered charity OR a constituted organisation that has only charitable purpose(s) and that delivers public benefit ?
- Does your organisation have all of the relevant registrations, policies and procedures required for your work in place (e.g. PVG checks, safeguarding, Care Inspectorate registration etc.)?
- Does your organisation have appropriate and effective governance and financial management arrangements, and a bank account in the name of the organisation that requires at least two signatories?
Note: They welcome applications from organisations and projects that have previously been funded by Better Breaks and/or other Short Breaks Fund programmes, as well as from organisations that are new to the fund. Their assessors will consider your past performance when reviewing your application.
For more information, visit Shared Care Scotland.
For more information, visit https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/shortbreaksfund/betterbreaks/