voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
FVA offers unpaid carers some Time to Live
Created: 6/9/2023, Updated: 6/9/2023Fife Voluntary Action kicked off Carers Week 2023 with an open information session at Glenrothes's Rothes Halls designed to highlight the support available to unpaid carers in Fife, particularly the Time to Live fund.
An unpaid carer is someone who provides support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older. It isn’t someone who volunteers formally or is employed to provide support. It's someone who helps- free of charge- because of their relationship with the person being cared for. It's an essential and wonderful thing to do, but we recognise that it can be exhausting and- at times- dispiriting.
That's why the Time to Live grants exist. These give successful applicants up to £500 to take a short break from their caring responsibilities. The money can be used in a broad range of ways - whatever is appropriate for the carer and their circumstances.
FVA wants to make sure as many unpaid carers benefit from the scheme as possible, so this session was designed to get the message out. It appears to have worked, too; 73 unpaid carers attended and gave some great feedback- but not before enjoying some of the taster therapy sessions and tasty refreshments on offer. For most, the story was the same- they didn't know that any support existed, or they didn't think they were entitled to it. We're pleased that that's now changed for them, and making plans for more events like this in the future.