About Time to Live
Read our 2025–2026 impact report here.
Time to Live is one of three Short Breaks Fund programmes, managed by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. Funding delivers flexible microgrants for short breaks that benefit unpaid carers. Funds are delivered via a network of local delivery partners. These grants help carers take quality breaks from their caring responsibilities, making a real difference to their wellbeing.
Over the years, the demand for this fund has grown across Scotland. Thanks to the commitment and care shown by local delivery partners, Shared Care Scotland, and the Scottish Government, the programme continues to evolve to meet demand.
Flexible criteria and supportive management have been introduced to ensure that unpaid carers not only access support, but receive high‑quality, meaningful time away from their caring responsibilities.
The Scottish Government’s investment in Time to Live for 2026 is £6.8m, and distributed as follows:
£5m for microgrants, allocated to local delivery partners using an estimate of unpaid carer populations in each area.
£1.8m to support operational running costs required to maintain the scheme.
Alongside microgrants, Time to Live partners deliver personal, compassionate support, deep-rooted within local communities.
This collaborative approach ensures that each microgrant does more than simply fund a break; it creates a meaningful experience that restores wellbeing, strengthens resilience, and supports unpaid carers to feel recognised and valued.
Our delivery partners
Local delivery partners retain responsibility for the overall management of the funding provided, and for meeting all reporting requirements. Shared Care Scotland strongly encourages delivery partners to collaborate with other local carer services, either directly or through referral pathways, to maximise the impact of this funding and ensure as many carers as possible can benefit.
To ensure fairness, consistency, and equitable access for unpaid carers across Scotland, Time to Live delivery partners follow the national eligibility criteria and a defined set of high-level funding outcomes. Time to Live is also underpinned by seven guiding principles.
While local delivery partners must meet these national standards, they can also be thoughtfully adapted to reflect local needs, priorities and circumstances. This approach ensures local delivery contributes to a shared set of outcomes and principles that support high‑quality, person‑centred breaks for carers and the people they care for.
Carer quote
“The microgrant provided much more than a break away; it created space for me and my wife to relax, reconnect and enjoy special time together, Thank you, Time to Live.”