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Having a break from your caring role


Caring can be exhausting, so it's important to have some time for you. This will help you and the person you care for.

As a carer, taking a break is sometimes crucial. A change of environment can help you feel refreshed and better able to manage your caregiving responsibilities This can be:

  • a chance to step away from your caregiving duties for some respite
  • a holiday with the person you care for

a change of environment can help you feel refreshed and better able to manage your caregiving responsibilities.

Respite Care – Subsidised or Self-Funded Short Breaks

How you fund respite care depends on the type of break you need and your individual situation. You might be eligible for financial support, or you may need to cover the costs yourself.

Respite Care for Carers

During your carer’s assessment, you may be identified as needing respite care. If this happens, we will work with you to explore the best options for your situation.
Overnight respite care is often provided through suitable care homes  to support the person you care for.

Visit our Care Homes page for more information

Alternatively, home care services can be arranged to give you some time to yourself at home.

Visit our Home Care page for more information

Another option is arranging activities outside the home, so you can have time at home without the person you care for being present.

Visit our Day Opportunities page for more information

Hotel short breaks for full time unpaid carers

Carefree is a charity that uses vacant hotel rooms to provide breaks for fulltime unpaid carers. You can take a short break for £33 (limited to once per year).

Find out more about short breaks with Carefree

The STAR Project - Supporting Time Away and Respite

The STAR Project is a short term pilot project which provides respite for carers at short notice.

Find out more about the STAR Project

Short breaks for families of children and young people with disabilities

Short Break Care is provided for a disabled child or young person in a carer's own home.  This can be for a few hours per week up to several days a month.

Find out more about short breaks for children and young people with disabilities