Shared Care Scotland

02/11/2026

🪼Laura and Dean's story: family memories at Deep Sea World

Laura and Dean are kinship carers to their granddaughters. Both children have underlying health conditions. As with many kinship care families, day-to-day life can be demanding, with caring responsibilities often bringing additional pressures and challenges.

After applying to the Time to Live fund, Laura and Dean chose to receive support through the voucher scheme and were awarded a flexible, annual pass for Deep Sea World.

"Being able to take some breaks together that we could enjoy as a family meant the most to Dean and I. Money has been quite tight, so having the family flexi ticket and the opportunity to spend quality time together as a family just meant so much. The girls love all things related to the sea and aquariums, and we find that these visits have a calming effect on them too."
https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/short-breaks-stories/laura-and-deans-story-family-memories-at-deep-sea-world/

30/10/2026

📰 Our October ebulletin is now available.

Read all our latest updates, including:

📢 Information on our AGM in December.
📢A new Respitality podcast launched by Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre.
📢An update on the Self Directed Support Scotland Community Brokerage Gathering event.
📢A Right To a Break update

Read the full ebulletin here: https://ow.ly/Bilg51028u1

Not subscribed? Visit our website and never miss an update: https://ow.ly/ibNs51028tZ

29/10/2026

💌International Day of Care and Support

The United Nations hosted 'International Day of Care and Support' was inspired by the need to invest in the care economy and to create robust, resilient, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive and age-sensitive care and support systems.

🫂We are supporting the day, especially its focus on valuing unpaid care. Our work ensures that everyone who provides unpaid care has the help they need to take regular short breaks from the demands of their everyday routines.

💻Our short breaks directory is a great starting point. Browse through short break providers and accommodation that offer respite breaks to carers and/or the person in their care. https://sharedcarescotland.org.uk/directory/short-break-providers/

https://www.un.org/en/observances/care-and-support-day/

International Day of Care and Support aims to raise awareness of the importance of care and support and its key contribution to the achievement of gender equality and the sustainability of our societies and economies, as well as of the need to invest in a resilient and inclusive care economy, includ...

29/10/2026

👉Right To a Break update

The Scottish Government have now published their analysis of the responses from the Right to a Break consultation. Keep up to date and read the findings here:

👉https://www.gov.scot/publications/unpaid-carers-right-breaks-timescales-support-plans-consultation-analysis/pages/1/

We carried out research, held in-depth discussions and hosted round tables with unpaid carers and other organisations in preparation for our submission. In May we submitted our response, identifying the following key themes:
✔️Closing the implementation gap - Making sure the right works properly in practice, not just on paper.
✔️What makes a break meaningful - Ensuring breaks for carers are person-centered and give carers choice and control in how they are delivered.
✔️The reality on the ground - Highlighting the day-to-day challenges, including staff shortages, delays, and uneven access.
✔️Clarity and confidence - Making it clear what carers are entitled to so everyone knows what to expect.
✔️Fair access across Scotland - Making sure people have a more consistent experience, no matter where they live.
✔️Building a stronger picture - Getting a clearer, more reliable understanding of what’s available, what’s missing, and where improvements are needed.

Analysis of responses to the public consultation and in person engagement on the right to breaks and timescales for support plans for unpaid carers.

29/10/2026

Time to Live: ‘Escaping in the world of cosplay’

👻With Halloween almost upon us, we’re taking inspiration from Aaron’s Time to Live story. 24 year old Aaron provides daily care and support for his mum who lives with multiple significant physical health conditions. He helps with almost every aspect of day‑to‑day life, including cooking, cleaning, shopping and personal care.

As her main carer, Aaron has found it challenginging to balance the demands of caring with his own need for time, independence, and social connection. With few opportunities to socialise with friends his own age and ongoing financial pressures making things difficult.

Aaron shared that he enjoys attending ComicCon events, but has only been able to go once. A Time to Live microgrant allowed Aaron to attend an upcoming event as well as buy materials to create his own costume.

Read Aaron's story 👇

https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/short-breaks-stories/aaron-s-story-escaping-in-the-world-of-cosplay/

28/10/2026

🎉Public Services Delivery Scotland are hosting The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 10 Year Anniversary Conference in Glasgow today.

Our CEO Kate Hogarth found the event to be a brilliant opportunity to focus on reviewing implementation, personal outcomes research, and the impact of the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 over the past decade. It was also great to hear from Alison Thewliss, Minister for Community Care.

Thank you for welcoming us Public Services Delivery Scotland - PSD Scotland

27/10/2026

📢RESPITALITY VACANCY

Our delivery partners, Carers of East Lothian Carers Centre are recruiting for a Respitality Worker.

This role involves;

✔️ Re-establishing, championing and promoting Respitality as a valued part of Carers of East Lothian’s short breaks offer.

✔️ Building relationships with local hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses, approaching at least one new business each month to secure donated breaks.

✔️ Working with carers to understand their circumstances, preferences and support needs; matching them with suitable local or national breaks. Assisting with bookings, donor communication and referrals where required.

Interested, or know someone who might be? Take a look!👇
💻https://goodmoves.org/vacancy/a4sP1000001xnXBIAY/respitality-worker

22/10/2026

📢JOIN OUR TEAM
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and skilled individual to join our team as our new Operations Assistant.

As Operations Assistant, you’ll work closely with our Operations Coordinator and Head of Finance and Operations to help deliver administrative and operational support. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work with our dedicated team across a range of activities, all aimed at improving short breaks opportunities and experiences for unpaid carers in Scotland.
Interested? Visit our website for more information👇:

https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/

Applications close: Wednesday 11 November, 5.00pm

21/10/2026

🎶Stacey's story

Alongside her dad Mike, young carer, Stacey helps care for her mum, who lives with physical disabilities. She also provides support to her younger brother, who has ADHD and a learning disability, and her older sister, who is autistic.

Some days can be more challenging than others and family life can sometimes feel unpredictable, but one thing that consistently brings Stacey and Mike together is their shared love of music.

Stacey and her dad applied to Time to Live for Ticketmaster vouchers. The vouchers gave them the opportunity to enjoy live music together, also giving Stacey the flexibility to attend events with friends. Creating lasting memories, strengthening relationships and enjoying valuable respite from the demands of caring.

https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/short-breaks-stories/stacey-and-mikes-story-making-memories-through-music/

20/10/2026

✉️We strive to make contacting us as simple as possible so we've streamlined our email addresses.

We look forward to receiving your enquiries!