It is important you find time for yourself, your family and your friends. It can be challenging to look after someone if you don’t take time out. 

Personalised, flexible short breaks can make a real difference for Carers to recharge their batteries – helping sustain caring relationships and enabling Carers to have more of a life of their own. 

Types of short break 

• Respite care has changed. It no longer has to mean a bed in a care home for the person you support. It can take many forms and be used for many things, like shopping, seeing your friends or enjoying a hobby. It’s your choice. 

Short breaks can include time to: 

• experience new things 
• maintain friendships 
• rest and recharge your batteries 
• enjoy personal interests, leisure or cultural activities 

A break may be*: 

• a holiday 
• a regular hour to yourself 
• a one-off occasion to recharge your batteries 
• daytime or overnight respite 

Breaks can be taken together with the person you care for, with extra help, or they can be taken apart. It’s up to you. 

 Further information 

As you will see short breaks and respite time can be taken in many forms. Breaks can be considered as part of a Care needs assessment through Social Care enabling both you and your cared for to have access to social interaction and support wellbeing. 

Alternatively, a break or time for yourself as the Carer, can be discussed as part of your own Carers Assessment with a member of the Gloucestershire Carers Hub team; this will explore how caring is impacting on your own health and wellbeing.  

There are other organisations who can support with respite needs of the person you care for or yourself and we can talk you through these options. 

Contact Gloucestershire Carers Hub on 0300 111 9000 or email carers@peopleplus.co.uk. 

*Not all breaks suggested are available through the Gloucestershire Carers Hub, however we will explore options available which may include signposting or referral to other organisations.