4. Care for Carers Edinburgh: Stepping Out - Short Breaks
This service provides respite to carers who have a residential break and who are provided with an organised and structured free group respite experience. This service targets adult carers in Edinburgh, with additional breaks provided for carers looking after a person with a mental health illness.
The need for respite remains the number one issue for carers in relation to the needs of the cared-for person but also for themselves. Care for Carers took part in piloting a series of short weekend breaks in 2000-2001 and the response to these pilots was overwhelming. Carers who come away on the Stepping Out service often do not have other regular breaks for themselves, or holidays, or overnight time out from the person they care for. Over the course of a weekend, two nights away, carers can relax and enjoy the company of others.
The Stepping Out service is delivered, managed and co-ordinated by Care for Carers. It is in the process of becoming a registered trade marked respite service and has been delivered for over nine years. A maximum of 25 places per short break are available and all breaks take place at the purpose built Low Port Education Centre in Linlithgow. The breaks are free. A full programme of organised activities is available during the course of the short break but carers are completely free to take as much time out as they need to do their own thing, or simply to rest. Referrals to the service are open and are publicised across all agencies. GP practices advertise the service on dedicated carer notice boards and the information is widely circulated around Health and Social Care Teams.
Since 2002 over 600 carers have taken part in a Stepping Out Short Residential Break. In addition the needs of minority ethnic groups can be catered for. All female Muslim groups have been able to attend the short breaks because the setting fits their needs and the supported structure of the weekend has female residential leaders. BME carers are supported during the weekend by the Minority Ethnic Carers Older People's Project ( MECOPP).
Stepping Out is a unique service. The outcomes and feedback gathered from carers over the past nine years clearly evidence that carers benefit from this type of service in many different ways. It gives carers a sense of identity, supports their own health and well-being and enables them to feel they can cope better with their caring situation.
"I benefited tremendously from the weekend. I knew how important it was to look after and think about myself, but this gave me the chance to see the long-term affects on others who had not done so. I had had quite a good week prior to the break but have had less good weeks since my return; the break has helped me to deal with the difficult times. It is difficult to know what the future holds but I am making the most of what is available to help me keep sane and to help my family."
"I have enrolled on and started a couple of courses for ME. I am also accepting the offers of help for me and my family. I would love to go on another weekend break to keep me reminded to look after ME!!"
"Feel I have recharged my batteries, found out about support I can access and I feel less isolated."
"Rest and company. Good to talk to other carers with similar experiences and problems. Idea that you are not unique with these difficult problems. Found the stimulation to try new groups and have made valuable contacts. Will join Edinburgh Carer Support group, contact Queen Margaret College regarding course for carers. Take control of my life. Join a refresher course on stress management and relaxation. Warmth and friendliness of workers was greatly appreciated, no strain, the weekend has helped me enormously."
"A chance to chill out and be pampered. Good to take away knowledge that there is people out there who care about carers. Knowledge that I am not alone and that there is a great strength of spirit amongst carers."
"I will try and use the techniques which I was taught for dealing with stress, the whole weekend was very relaxing."
"For the first time in years this weekend gave me a lift up, never felt so good in a long time. For the first time in a long time I was communicating better with people."
"This weekend came suddenly out of the blue, it just appeared and I didn't know what would be happening, so the whole weekend was a nice surprise. Talking to others about their situations and about my own was very helpful. Made me think about things a bit differently. They understand what I felt right now and knowing there was nothing I could do to change my situation but to try to keep going and accept the help that was being offered. I would like to say my thanks to all the staff and the leaders especially for the care and kindness they have shown me. I will always be grateful for the few days I have had here. They came at the very time I needed it."
"It gives you time to evaluate your life and to realise that life is for living and each moment is precious. There is always a silver lining. Look forward with a quiet confidence and try to relax whenever I feel stressed."
"I feel refreshed and happy. I'll practice some Tai Chi every day."
"Being my first time here, I did not know what to expect, but I could not have imagined how relaxed and at ease I would feel. I enjoyed everything about this short break. I felt as I have been really spoiled in every way. Seriously, I cannot thank you all enough. Beautiful weekend."
"These weekend breaks are essential for carers. It gets them away from extremely difficult and stressful situations. They must continue."