Carefreebreaks have successfully been providing free short breaks for unpaid carers in England and are now expanding to Scotland. We’re pleased they have chosen PKAVS Carers Hub to help facilitate the offers and look forward to being able to offer more choice for carers to have a short break.

Carefreebreaks offers 3-night or 7-night breaks for UNPAID CARERS in rental accommodation such as holiday cottages or hotels donated by owners and operators, usually during the low season or mid-week. The scheme is specifically designed to give the carer a break from their caring responsibilities. A carer may invite someone to accompany them on the break but NOT the person that they care for.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Carers must care for someone for at least 35 hours per week
• Has not had a break without the person they care for in the past 6 months
• Has not planned a break without the person they care for in the next 6 months
• Is able to arrange interim care for the person they care for
• Has to be a registered carer with PKAVS Carers Hub

Conditions of Carefreebreaks:

• The offer is made to the carer and ONE companion of their choice
• The accommodation is offered free-of-charge. All other expenses (travel, food and drink) are the responsibility of the carer
• A registration fee of £25 is payable at the point of booking
• Properties may not be accessible for those with additional needs
• Only a limited number of properties allow pets
• All properties are NO SMOKING

How it works:

Low season/mid-week
Carefreebreaks match the demand for breaks with a supply of accommodation donated by owners and operators during the low season or mid-week. The breaks matched will take place between beginning of March to 3^rd June  (excluding Easter and half term holidays).

Referral Pathway
Carers can only register with Carefreebreaks if they have been referred by a carer support organisation. Referrals must be sent to Carefreebreaks by 16^th Feb 2018.

Booking
Eligible carers are invited via email (from 19th Feb 2018 onwards) to specify their preferences for a 3 or 7-day break with ONE companion. Having chosen from a selection of accommodation, the booking request is forwarded to the provider for confirmation. It is at this point that the carer would pay the £25 registration fee online. 

Currently, the most local destinations in Scotland are within a few hours drive of Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and on the North West Coast, however, if carers can travel there are options for further afield such as the West Lake District, Newmarket and the South of England.

A carer must also have access to the internet and a valid email address. If this is difficult for you please contact Marthe and we’ll see how we can help.

If you meet the criteria listed above and would like to be referred for a Carefreebreak please email Marthe.Handling@pkavs.org.uk with your contact details.

Click here to watch Carefreebreaks video.