LifeCare is my Lifeline
“LifeCare is my lifeline”: Social Care Minister Maree Todd sees firsthand how projects funded through the Short Breaks Fund provide vital support to carers
Social Care Minister Maree Todd was able to experience firsthand the phenomenal difference that short breaks make in the lives of unpaid carers when she dropped into LifeCare Edinburgh earlier this week to take part in a yoga class, and chat to carers Mei and Claire about the support they get.
LifeCare was recently awarded a grant of just over £32,000 from the Scottish Government-funded Short Breaks Fund which enables them to continue their successful ‘LifeCare Cares for Carers’ project. This project sees weekly drop-in activities for unpaid carers of adults and the people they care for within their accessible Stockbridge community hub. Popular activities have included gentle jazz dancing, yoga and pilates, and watercolours for beginners.
This is the third consecutive year the project has been funded – a testament to the significant benefits that the project demonstrates. Carers report that it gives them something to look forward to, and helps them feel connected and supported by meeting others in similar situations. One carer said: “The sessions are just amazing. My time in the class allows me to think about something else other than my caring role. Since attending these classes, LifeCare has become my lifeline.”
Social Care Minister Todd said: “We recognise the incredible contribution that Scotland’s unpaid carers make to our communities as well as the pressures many carers are under. That’s why it’s important that they are supported to look after their own their own health and wellbeing.
“It was a privilege to meet with the carers who benefit from the work of LifeCare Edinburgh. Along with similar invaluable projects across the country, this is funded through our voluntary sector Short Breaks Fund and really does make a difference.”
Shared Care Scotland operates three programmes of the Short Breaks Fund on behalf of Scottish Government. Speaking of the award Short Breaks Fund Manager Helen Morrison said: “The challenges faced by the social care sector at the current time are enormous and this in turn puts even greater pressure on Scotland’s unpaid carers. But with the support of the third sector Short Breaks Fund organisations like LifeCare can deliver these wonderful, vibrant short breaks services which are transformative for carers and those they care for. We are delighted to be able to showcase the impact that the Fund has in this way.”
Jenny described the full time caring role she has for her husband Will: “It’s very very busy being ill: making, rearranging appointments, getting meds, and organising his feeding regimen. I tend not to go out myself…but LifeCare is just around the corner.”
“Thanks to those activities I have somewhere to go, people I can talk to. It helps me to stay relaxed and positive and cheerful. I’m enormously grateful – and so is my husband. He can tell the difference when I go to these things and it makes me happy. I come back with a spring in my step, and ready to take on the day again.”
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Kate Hogarth, Head of Policy and Comms at Shared Care Scotland.
E: Kate.Hogarth@sharedcarescotland.com
T: 01383 622462 M: 07434 795 667
