Perth and Kinross offers a mix of short breaks and respite options for carers, including support at home, residential breaks, activity groups, and grant-funded breaks. Some options are run by the council, while others come through PKAVS, community groups, or national short-break schemes.
| Option | What it looks like locally |
|---|---|
| Residential respite | The person you care for stays in a care home while you have a break. Flexible residential respite is also available, where you can use a number of nights at different times. |
| Respite Voucher Scheme / respite at home | A few hours of care in the home of the person you care for, so you can take time off. |
| Day care / day centres | Day care is available for cared-for people at New Rannoch Day Care, Strathmore Day Opportunities, and in Perth City. The Tryst in Pitlochry is also mentioned, with access by social work referral. |
| PKAVS Short Breaks and Support | PKAVS Carers Hub supports young carers, young adult carers, and adult carers, with referrals accepted at any time. |
| Young carer and young adult carer groups | Respite and activity groups, including residential activities, day trips, and group nights with carer support workers. |
| Shared lives / family-based breaks | Overnight breaks in the home of another individual or family, provided by paid or volunteer carers. |
| Short-break accommodation | Guest houses, community flats, purpose-built or adapted accommodation used specifically for short breaks. |
| Befriending | Volunteer-supported breaks through one-to-one or group activities like cinema, shopping, swimming, meeting friends, and other leisure pursuits. |
| Supported clubs and activity groups | Short breaks through clubs, interest groups, or activity groups, sometimes over school holidays for disabled children. |
| Holiday breaks | Breaks together or independently, supported in adapted accommodation, hotels/guest houses, or with a paid carer or companion. |
| Complementary therapies / social therapies | Free relaxation or massage therapies in five locations: Crieff, Aberfeldy, Kinross, Strathmore and Perth. |
| Carer cafes and community groups | Groups such as male carer groups, carers choir, relaxation, art, group cycle, Tai Chi and more. |
| Time4Me Grants | Up to £300 for personalised short breaks for eligible adult carers and young carers. |
| Respitality Gifts | Short breaks gifted by local businesses and matched to carers through PKAVS. |
| Carer Trusts Grants | Grants of up to £300 for carers aged 16 or over for items or activities that support their caring role. |
| Time to Live / Take a Break fund | National short-break funding sources are available through Shared Care Scotland. |
If you want to act on this, Perth and Kinross points carers to PKAVS Carers Hub, and there’s also council support available for people with a Young Carer Statement or Adult Carer Support Plan. For residential respite, the published contact is the Access Team on 0345 30 111 20 or AccessTeam@pkc.gov.uk.
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