Kidney Wales receives £30,450.00 in funding from the Short Breaks Scheme

Kidney Wales will be able to support 120 unpaid carers of children living with kidney disease to take a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities thanks to continuation funding awarded through the Short Breaks Scheme.

The Short Breaks Scheme is funded by Welsh Government and co-ordinated by Carers Trust Wales. In the first nine months of the scheme, over one million pounds has been awarded by Carers Trust Wales to charities and third sector organisations across Wales.

Following the success of the project last year, Kidney Wales has obtained funding for a second year to provide wellbeing vouchers for unpaid carers of children living with kidney disease. 

The wellbeing vouchers can be applied for via the children’s health care team, and are up to the value of £150 per household.  Examples of vouchers that could be requested include restaurant vouchers, over night stays, spa days and cinema vouchers. We hope that these vouchers will enable respite, improve physical and mental wellbeing and help build resilience to sustain the caring responsibility.

The funding allows for 120 vouchers to be provided, which will be available until the limit is reached / or until the end of March 2025. No cash will be given, gift cards / vouchers for chosen activities will be provided.

Speaking of the funding, one unpaid carer shared her experience of obtaining a wellbeing voucher.

“The well-being vouchers were a wonderful little surprise for me. It meant my full time caring role, for my son was valued and recognised. It showed how difficult and emotionally draining caring for your child can be and that treating yourself is allowed and necessary too! It also for me, highlighted the need for self care which I honestly don’t prioritise while putting my son’s needs first and foremost. I can’t thank kidney wales and the grant enough for spreading joy and making me and other carers happy”.

Speaking of the recent funding Managing Director Ross Evans said

“We are over the moon with obtaining continuation funding from the Short Breaks scheme.  With over 500 children in Wales living with Kidney Disease, providing a wellbeing break for those caring for the children will have a big impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of the carer and those they are caring for. The feedback from the delivery of the project last year has highlighted it’s importance, and we are pleased to be able to continue delivering this project supporting unpaid carers in Wales”.

Applications for the personalised wellbeing voucher must be living in Wales and will only be accepted via the healthcare team at your dependants children’s unit (Cardiff / Liverpool / Birmingham). If your child healthcare team is in Cardiff, please speak to the unit directly to apply, if your child visits Liverpool or Birmingham, please contact us for further information. 

For more information on the project, contact the Kidney Wales team on [email protected] or call us on 02920 343940

About the Short Breaks Scheme

The Short Breaks Scheme is a new initiative launched in 2022 to support 30,000 unpaid carers from across Wales to take a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities. Funded by Welsh Government, it runs from 2022-2025. Carers Trust Wales is the national co-ordinating body of the scheme, distributing grants to charities across Wales.

With an overall budget of £9 million, management of the scheme is shared between Carers Trust Wales and seven Regional Partnership Boards. Charities and Third Sector orgnisations apply for the funding to deliver the activities.

About Carers Trust Wales

Carers Trust Wales, part of Carers Trust, aims to shape a better future with and for carers in Wales by raising awareness, empowering carers and influencing change. It is committed to making sure that all carers receive the recognition and support they deserve. It works closely and collaboratively with Network Partners – local and regional independent charities which deliver information, advice and practical support for unpaid carers in Wales. 

There are at least 310,000 unpaid carers in Wales –  3 in 5 of us will become a carer at some point in our lives. Our Network Partners support more than 36,000 carers in Wales.

Carers Trust website: www.carers.org  Short Breaks Scheme website:  www.shortbreaksscheme.wales