Funding to help Angus Carers Centre develop breaks scheme

Angus carers can look forward to a much-needed short break thanks to an award of £11,582.

The Angus Carers Centre in Arbroath, which provides support for those providing care for family members, neighbours or friends, received the Time To Live grant from the Short Breaks Fund.

It will enable them to develop their short breaks programme for unpaid carers who help those with a physical or mental condition, a learning disability, mental health issues or a dependency on alcohol or drugs.

At the moment the centre has 17 staff, 72 volunteers, 1,367 adult carers and 90 young carers.

The grants will pay a range of costs to unpaid carers of all ages who live in Angus.

Angus Carers Centre chief executive Alison Myles said: “In financial year 2018-19 we received funding of £10,582 and arranged a total of 37 short breaks.

“With the extra £1,000 we will be able to increase the number of short breaks on offer to local carers.

“Carers tell us these breaks can make a massive difference to their lives.”

Alison Brown of Shared Care Scotland said: “Getting the right short break at the right time is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of carers.

“We’re delighted Angus Carers Centre are continuing to deliver Time To Live in their area and look forward to hearing about the creative and innovative ways in which the small grants are used to make a big difference in carers’ lives.”

Angus Carers was established in October 1996, becoming part of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers network in November 1997.