Time4Me Fund

PKAVS Carers Hub has been awarded funding from Shared Care Scotland’s (SCS) Short Breaks Fund to deliver the Time4Me Fund. We have also been awarded further funding from Perth & Kinross Council (PKC) to expand Time4Me to broaden the reach of this fund and help encourage carers living in the rural and potentially isolated areas of Perth & Kinross to access available funding.

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 dedicated Support Worker can help with your short break planning and apply to the Time4Me 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 Time4Me Fund and can contact Anne Wright on 01738 567076 or email carershortbreaks@pkavs.org.uk if they have any questions or need any assistance completing the application form.

Aim of the Fund

The purpose of the Time4Me 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 Time4Me break funding

Eligibility Criteria

Unpaid carers applying for funding must meet the following criteria:

• Have not had a break in the last 12 months funded through the funds

• The carer lives in Perth and Kinross

• The break should not have already taken place

• Adult Carers (18+) who are caring for an adult aged 21+

• Young Carers or Young Adult Carers (17 and below) who are caring for children (sibling) or adults (parent)

• Parent Carers who are caring for a family member aged 20 and below or caring for disabled children – due to limited funding, we can only accommodate applications from 1 parent per household

Kinship carers are not eligible for individual grants from the Time4Me Fund as they are eligible for kinship care allowances provided by local authorities and, as such, are not considered unpaid carers.

Carers will not be entitled to apply if they have received funding from Time4Me within the last 12 months.

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 the ‘Why’, ‘How’ and ‘What’ before applying to the Time4Me Fund which should aid carers in deciding the right short break for them to meet their personal outcomes and have a lasting impact on their own quality of life, health & wellbeing.

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

• Household and Kitchen appliances such as white goods/electrical items

• Debt/loans/mortgage repayment

• An item that has already been paid or purchased

• Breaks that have already been paid or pre-booked.

How much is available?

Eligible carers can apply for grants of up to £300 from Time4Me. Applications are being reviewed on an individual basis, therefore PKAVS cannot guarantee that the requested amount will be approved with the full grant.

Applying

• Adult Carers and Parent Carers – applications are accepted from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 (funds permitting).

• Young Carers and Young Adult Carers – applications are accepted until 31 August 2022 (funds permitting) and breaks taken by 30 September 2022.