Keith Brown MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, has highlighted the Short Breaks Directory, accessible on the Shared Care Scotland website, which is a valuable online resource designed to support individuals and families in Scotland – and organisations who work to support them – who require respite and short break services.  

Speaking this afternoon, Keith said:

“There are 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland and it is important that we recognise the essential work that they do. Breaks from caring make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers, yet many report being unable to access a break from their caring role when they need it most.   

“There is support available for carers to get a break but I have no doubt that there will be many carers in my constituency who don’t know what is available to them, so I am hoping to help spread the word about the Short Breaks Directory. 

“The purpose of the Directory is to provide a comprehensive and easily accessible platform that connects people with a wide range of short break providers across the country. 

“A centralised hub for information on various short break options available in Scotland, catering to different needs and preferences, the Directory includes entries for various types of providers, such as holiday accommodation, day services, activity groups and more. 

“All information on the directory is verified and a series of quality checks is undertaken on an ongoing basis to ensure that every entry is validated. This includes checking for up-to-date contact details, and price information. This helps carers and organisations feel confident that they can trust the Shared Care Scotland directory as a valuable source of accurate information.  

“I know how important breaks from caring are for the physical, emotional and mental health of carers in my Clackmannanshire & Dunblane constituency, and the Shared Care Scotland directory is a brilliant resource for unpaid carers who need a short break.”