Over the past 3 years we have used a third sector organisation to facilitate grants, whilst this has been successful in reaching many groups and unpaid carers, the governance and links to statutory services has been limited and caused a number of challenges. Therefore, a new model for the next 3 years is suggested:
Utilise a third sector organisation with established links to unpaid carers to fund:
1. This element should be viewed as a single component with 2 parts:
a) A Short Breaks Community facilitator (approx. £40k) to understand the range of services and groups available, including UK, Wales wide and local schemes. They will provide a ‘what matters’ type conversation and be able to link the unpaid carer to existing short break opportunities as well as facilitate small grants/short breaks directly for unpaid carers where appropriate through the conversation. The process for this will need to be developed in collaboration with the unpaid carer Information Advice and Assistance services (in both Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan).
b) To enable the Short Breaks Community facilitator to meet those with the most significant need there will be funding for direct short breaks for unpaid carers through the Short Breaks facilitator (approx. £20k)– this may be to pay for a hotel break, activities, experiences, a hobby or an item which would be deemed a ‘break’ (not household). This may also be to fill an identified gap or need in a local community, for example 10 people in an area need a peer support group so the facilitator will work with other local groups to establish one and may cover associated revenue costs.
2. Funding for 3rd sector grants (approx. £80k) to support the third sector to deliver a variety of offers for unpaid carer in relation to Short Breaks, including but not limited to regular peer-support groups. The funded organisations should work in coordination with the Short Breaks facilitator so there is a variety of offers and so the facilitator can identify where there are gaps in the funded 3rd sector provision and provided offers to fill those gaps.