Breaking down the barriers to breaks for our unpaid carers

James Townsend, chief executive and co-founder of Mobilise | Mobilise

The UK’s largest community of unpaid carers, Mobilise, is urging Scots providing care for someone on an unpaid basis to access vital respite funding.

Released as part of a carer-led “protest from home” campaign over the summer, Carers Trust research has found that 44 per cent of unpaid carers in the UK are not currently accessing government-issued respite provision.

This echoes previous research conducted by Mobilise in July last year, which revealed that almost half of unpaid carers in the UK had never taken a break, with many respondents citing a lack of available support as the reason.

The call comes as the Scottish Government introduces a legal right to breaks for unpaid carers under the new Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.

Experts at Mobilise are also calling for greater awareness of funding for replacement care services and holiday accommodation, as well as new developments around Scottish carers’ rights to breaks. It said this support can give unpaid carers desperately needed respite.

Mobilise states that anyone in a caring role also has the right to be assessed for an Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement if they are caring for a child.

This can lead to free respite care services, or funding for breaks and activities that offer time away from caring responsibilities – ranging from regular time off to a short holiday.

Mobilise explains that there are a number of different funding options available to give Scottish carers respite breaks, depending on the level of care provided and the needs of the person being cared for.

Options include the likes of local council funding through Social Care Assessments, NHS funding, and charitable funds and grants.

However, as James Townsend, chief executive of Mobilise, explains: “Even with respite care services in place, holiday accommodation costs can be prohibitive for carers who often face additional expenses, and may have to drop out of paid roles or reduce their hours.

“To help break down this barrier to breaks, a number of organisations offer free accommodation for carers. Some also offer support for your cared-for person to join you.”

Mobilise’s list of free respite accommodation options from organisations include Shared Care Scotland, Carefree, After Umbrage, Take A Break Scotland, The Respite Association, and Disability Grants.

To find out more, go online to www.mobiliseonline.co.uk