Short Breaks

PKAVS Carers Hub has been awarded funding from Shared Care Scotland’s (SCS) Short Breaks Fund to deliver the Time2Live fund.

We understand as a carer that you might find you have little time to look after your own needs and deciding on what a short break means to you and how you can make that reality can feel like a daunting task. We can support carers to help identify personal outcomes by having a discussion with you. A Support Worker can help with your short break planning and apply to the Time2Live fund on your behalf.

Do you know that as an unpaid carer, you have a right to an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP)? Having an ACSP may also give you the opportunity to access a wider range of services and support. To find out more about ACSP, visit https://www.pkavs.org.uk/carers/adult-carers/info-support/important-information-for-carers/adult-carer-support-plans/

Carers who do not wish to have an Adult Carer Support Plan can still apply to the Time2Live fund. Contact Anne Wright on 01738 567076 or email carershortbreaks@pkavs.org.uk if you have any questions or need any assistance completing the application form.

Aim of the Fund

The purpose of the Time2Live fund is to improve the range, choice and availability of personalised, creative short breaks for unpaid carers and the people they care for to invest in quality time that creates a positive impact on their overall wellbeing.

Outcomes of this fund are as follows:

• Carers and the people they care for will have improved wellbeing
• Carers will have more opportunities to enjoy a life outside of their caring role
• Carers will feel better supported to sustain their caring role
• More hidden carers will be identified and offered support
• Carers in rural and potentially isolated areas are encouraged to access Time2Live break funding

Eligibility Criteria

Unpaid carers applying for funding must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must live in Perth and Kinross.
• The carer has not received Time2Live funding in the past 12 months (for example, if payment was received in April 2024, the carer cannot reapply until May 2025.)
• All receipts and feedback must have been provided for any previous awards.
• Only one application per household/cared for in a 12 month period.
• The short break must allow the unpaid carer a break from their caring role.
• The short break must not already have been booked, purchased or have taken place previously.
• Applications will not be considered where the break, or any component of the said break, has already been booked or purchased. 
• Due to strict time constraints you must be able to spend your award within 90 days of your award agreement.
• If there are additional costs associated with the break/item/equipment the carer must be confident that they can meet this cost.
• If you are not registered as an unpaid carer with PKAVS, applications must be supported by a professional who has supported the carer and/or the cared for. Eg Social Worker, Carers Support Worker, Teacher, Community Worker, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Occupational Therapist.  If you do not have a professional working with you, please call the Short Breaks Team who will be happy to discuss how best we can support you to apply.

Kinship carers are not eligible for individual grants from the Time2Live fund as they are eligible for kinship care allowances provided by local authorities and, as such, are not considered unpaid carers.

What can we support?

Carers can apply for a grant to pay for a short break of their own choosing. This means that the breaks are very individual and personalised to each unique situation. Carers decide when, where, with who and what they want to do!

This may include things such as a break away from home either alone or with the person you care for, enrol in a short course to develop your skills, pursue a long-time hobby or interest or purchase a laptop/tablet to improve your IT skills and many more. The possibilities are endless!

We encourage carers to think about what an ideal break would look like and to think about what makes them happy before applying to the Time2Live fund. This will aid carers in deciding on the right short break for them to meet their personal outcomes and have a lasting impact on their own quality of life, health & wellbeing.

Using the link provided, take a look at how other Carers have used their Time2Live Award. https://www.pkavs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/TTL-How-Carers-Used-Microgrants.pdf

The fund CANNOT be used to pay for:

• General living expenses e.g. house rent/arrears, food, clothes, bill payments, Wi-Fi subscription, beds and mattress
• Cosmetic (plastic/aesthetic) surgery or procedures, including tattoos.
• Household and Kitchen appliances such as white goods/electrical items
• Debt/loan/mortgage repayment
• An item that has already been paid for or purchased, in whole of in part.
• Breaks that have already been paid for or pre-booked.

How much is available?

Eligible carers can apply for grants with award amounts based on the number of previous awards they have had. For example:

First applications up to a maximum of £450 – Second and third applications up to a maximum of £400 – Fourth and subsequent applications up to a maximum of £350

Please be aware that applications are reviewed on an individual basis, with priority being given to those carers who have not applied before. PKAVS cannot guarantee that the requested amount will be approved with the full grant.

Applying

• Applications are accepted from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 (funds permitting).
• An Application form and guidance notes are available to download below.
• A word version of the application form is available, please email carershortbreaks@pkavs.org.uk to request one.