"Overviews of our programmes including booklets, forms and contact details."
Care for Carers has a portfolio of rolling programmes which provide carers with opportunities to take part in activities, trips, courses, and various forms of entertainment and educational events. Event schedules are announced throughout the year; the latest programme leaflets and booklets are mailed out to members, and published on this website along with updates to our online calendar.
Current programmes described on this page:
Stepping Out® Short Breaks are residential breaks for carers. The breaks range from 1–4 nights away and take place in venues and locations across Scotland. They are specifically tailored to meet the needs of carers — providing them with a change of scene, on their own away from their caring situation. The programme is planned, organised, facilitated and supported by the Care for Carers Short Breaks Team.
Stepping Out® breaks are group-based breaks: we take a group of carers away to share an experience together. Time out and socialising is plentiful but there is always a programme of activities and events for carers to take part in on tap. These range from taking part in physical activities (canoeing, walking, archery) to evenings of stargazing, foraging in the wild, nights at the theatre, or an exploration of places of local interest. Travel, catering and accommodation are all provided. Staff are always present throughout.
All our short breaks are free of charge. However, places are limited and applying does not guarantee a place. We aim to offer all applicants one break per year, but this may vary depending on funding streams.
Email: steppingout@care4carers.org.uk
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Stepping Out® Programme 2024 | Stepping Out® booklet for February 2024–January 2025. |
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Stepping Out® Application Form (PDF) | Apply to participate in Stepping Out® events. |
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Stepping Out® Application Form (Word) | Apply to participate in Stepping Out® events. |
Our Still Caring programmes are updated seasonally: new calendars of events are published each spring, summer, autumn and winter. These events take the form of day and evening activities, with opportunities to learn something new, socialise and have fun with others.
We explore the cultural, artistic and natural aspects of life in and around Edinburgh, and there is a full range of online and in-person meeting options. These includes trips to the theatre, tours around local places of interest, workshops — plus our Open Days. Our regular sessions on Zoom include yoga, relaxation and our Coffee & Chat sessions, as well as online courses and workshops on a range of topics. We are constantly adding new and interesting ideas to our programmes.
Some events may be open to the carer and the cared-for person to come together; this is always clearly marked in our programme booklets. Note that events may have limited availability
The Still Caring programmes are planned, organised, facilitated and supported by the Care for Carers Short Breaks Team. Everything is free of charge.
Email: stillcaring@care4carers.org.uk
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Still Caring Spring Programme 2024 | Still Caring booklet for February–May 2024. |
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Still Caring Overview | A leaflet summarising the support Still Caring can offer. |
In response to feedback from our carers, this year we are offering a series of additional day trips in the form of our Big Days Out programme. The programme consists of a stimulating blend of cultural trips, events and workshops within the Edinburgh area and beyond.
As an extension of the Still Caring programme, these days are planned, organised, facilitated and supported by the Care for Carers Short Breaks Team and everything is free of charge. Where an event is open to the carer and the cared-for person to come together, this is clearly marked in our programme booklet and the corresponding calendar entry.
Email: bigdaysout@care4carers.org.uk
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Big Days Out Programme 2023 | Big Days Out booklet for April–November 2023. |
Care for Carers runs a series of walks throughout the year, helping carers to get a short break from their caring roles and enjoy the company of other carers. We travel through the quiet, peaceful parks and green spaces in and around Edinburgh. Both carers and former carers are welcome to attend the walks. Support and guidance is provided by Care for Carers; please contact us in advance to reserve a place on a particular walk.
Email: walks@care4carers.org.uk
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Carer Walks Programme 2024 | Carer Walks booklet for February–November 2024. |
Care for Carers is a member of the Shared Care Scotlands Respitality® programme. Respitality® is where hospitality providers such as hotels, self-catering accommodation, cafes, restaurants, or local tourism places of interest donate a gift to carers through their Carer Organisations. As a member we are able to accept these offers — which may range from a weekend hotel break, to a whisky tasting session, to a week in the Respitality® holiday cottage in Pitlochry — and pass them onto our carers.
Respitality® offers are open to the carer and the cared-for person to take together.
In order to access this service you just have to be a member of Care for Carers and to have completed the registration form for Respitality®. These breaks are not delivered by staff, but are for carers and their family to get away on their own. Catering and travel costs are not included.
Email: respitality@care4carers.org.uk
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Respitality® Programme Overview | A leaflet summarising the Respitality® programme. |
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Respitality® Registration Form | Register your interest in the Respitality® programme. |
Care for Carers is a member of Carefreebreaks UK. This company offers free hotel and self-catering accommodation breaks across the UK, with breaks ranging from 2–7 nights away. Note that these breaks are only for the carer and a companion: the cared-for person cannot take part in this short break programme.
In order to access this service you just have to be a member of Care for Carers and have completed the registration form for Carefreebreaks. These breaks are not delivered by staff, but are for carers and a companion or friend to get away on their own. Catering and travel costs are not included.
Email: carefree@care4carers.org.uk
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Carefreebreaks UK Programme Overview | A leaflet summarising the Carefreebreaks programme. |
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Carefreebreaks UK Registration Form | Register your interest in the Carefreebreaks programme. |