Help for unpaid carers

A £4million funding package will help provide support to unpaid carers, in recognition of the enormous role they play in looking after loved ones, and the added pressure many have faced during the pandemic.

Over the next few weeks, the additional winter funding will allow organisations working with unpaid carers to expand the services they provide to all groups of adult and young carers, including those looking after disabled children and young people and those caring for a friend or relative with dementia.

To help reach as wide a range of carers as possible, the funds will be shared between organisations who are already working with different groups of carers:

• £3million for local carer centres across Scotland to expand their vital support for adult and young carers
• £200,000 to expand the Young Carers Package delivered by Young Scot to provide additional break opportunities, support and activities for young carers
• £377,000 to expand Family Fund support with breaks for parents and families looking after disabled children and young people
• £590,000 to expand wellbeing support and services for unpaid carers looking after a family member with Dementia, including grants for short breaks

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart said:

“Unpaid carers play a vital role in society and I know the pandemic has placed many additional pressures on Scotland’s carers. The Scottish Government has always been committed to improving carers' rights and providing them with the support and extra help they deserve. 

“The local services and third sector organisations that have been supporting carers during the pandemic have been exceptional. I am pleased to be able to announce this additional funding to allow them to continue their essential work.

“This support for carers comes on top of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the first payment made by Social Security Scotland, which increased Carer’s Allowance for eligible Scottish carers by around 13% compared to carers in the rest of the UK.

"In addition to this uplift to Carer’s Allowance, we made extra Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments in June 2020 and in December 2021 to support eligible carers.”

Background:

The total sum being made available is £4,167,000.

Further information on local carer centres

Further information on the Young Carers Package delivered by Young Scot 

Support for those caring for people with dementia will be delivered through funding of £540,000 for Alzheimer Scotland to expand wellbeing support and services for unpaid carers looking after a family member with Dementia, including grants for short breaks. A further £50,000 will be provided to TIDE (Together in Dementia Everyday).