The Flexible Breaks Fund

The Flexible Breaks Fund is there to provide a contribution to help some carers to go away for a break or do something that’s relaxing for them.

You can apply to the fund if:

• You are aged 18 or over,
• you care for someone who lives in Islington,
• and who doesn’t  get a service or a personal budget from Islington Social Services, Islington Learning Disabilities Partnership or one of the Mental Health Teams,
• and you the carer don’t get a Carer’s Personal Budget from the Council either

Although it’s called a “breaks fund”, you can apply for a contribution towards another kind of service or support that provides a rest from your caring role or helps you as a carer. Previous applicants have obtained a contribution towards:

• Computer courses
• Driving lessons
• Regular massages or other holistic therapies
• Gym membership
• Equipment for a hobby or activity
• Tickets for the cinema/theatre/football
• And many other things!

Please note that the Fund always pays the service directly: you will not receive funds if you have already paid for your break.

The Fund is limited therefore only new applications will be considered by the panel.

However, don’t forget that you can still apply to the Fund up to six months after your caring role has ended.

Please read the guidelines before applying. If you’ve applied before, remember that these guidelines may have changed since the last time you applied so you still need to look at them carefully.

Carers are required to have a Carers Assessment in order to apply as you may benefit from other schemes such as the Emergency Carers Card scheme (see islington.gov.uk/carers or contact Islington Carers Hub for more information about this, on 0800 085 1141 (FREEPHONE) or 020 7281 3319.

To download an application form and guidelines please click here FBF Guidelines and Application Form

Call us on 0800 085 1141 (FREEPHONE) or 020 7281 3319 if you need assistance with the form.

 

Other breaks for carers in Islington

CareFree Breaks 

Free Break (No Catch), Carefree provides short breaks for unpaid carers in Hotels and Holiday Cottages donated by owners and operators during the low season.  CareFree allocates a specific number of breaks to each carer support organisation based on the availability of accommodation.  Referrals are then invited from these organisations according to the following criteria:

• Cares for someone for at least 35 hours per week
• Will benefit mentally and/or physically from a break in the opinion of the person they care for
• Has sufficient means to pay for transport and food during the break as only the accommodation is offered free-of-charge.

If you meet the above criteria and benefit from this break, please contact a member of the Islington Carers Hub team on 0800 085 1141 (FREEPHONE) or 020 7281 3319 or email: info@islingtoncarershub.org

 

One-off grants for breaks and relaxation for the adult carers of sick/disabled children and young people aged under 18. Administered by Islington Council. Full details can be found on their website. Contact 020 7527 7116 or flexiblebreaks@islington.gov.uk for more information.