Carers told to take a break by Renfrewshire Council

With Carers’ Week due to start on 10 June, carers in Renfrewshire are being reminded that Renfrewshire Council, and its partners in Reshaping Care for Older People, have set aside £200,000 to give them a chance to take a well earned break.

The Free Breaks for Carers Service is free and flexible. Qualified carers step in so their everyday carer can take some stress-free time off to recharge their batteries without having to worry about the person they look after.

carers weekThe service is open to anyone in Renfrewshire who cares for someone who is over 65 years old. The care doesn’t need to be delivered at home. The service can cater for trips and excursions if the person who is being cared for enjoys going out.

It’s estimated that there are over 22,000 carers in Renfrewshire with 57% of them either looking after a parent or grandparent.

Councillor Iain McMillan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Social Work, Health and Wellbeing Policy Board, said, “Carers do an amazing job and our aim is to provide them with as much help and support as possible. Being a carer is a massive commitment and for many it’s more than a full time job.

“The council recognises someone has to care for the carers. The help and support we provide to older people in our communities, has to extend to the people who look after them. This includes addressing the impact that being a carer has on their jobs, education, health and leisure time.

“We asked carers what we could do to help and the new respite care at home service is what they came up with. It allows people to recharge their batteries and continue in their caring role.

“Supporting carers is critical so we’ve allocated £200,000. Now it’s there, we’re telling carers to take a break!”

The council is also encouraging anyone who regularly provides a substantial amount of care to someone else to have a carer’s assessment done. A carer’s assessment looks at:

* How being a carer affects the person

* How much care they can realistically provide without it adversely affecting their life beyond being a carer

* What help they may need.

More information about the service is available on 0141 207 7777 or 0300 300 1199.

More information about both home-based respite care and general help and advice for carers is available from the Renfrewshire Carers Centre on 0141 887 3643 and the council’s website www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

Respite care is also available to all carers who look after someone who is either over 16 years old, or who is a disabled child, and needs regular help with their personal and social care. There may be a charge in some cases.

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Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X