People who use mental health services in Dundee and their unpaid carers are to benefit from a new initiative providing short breaks.
Created as a result of consultation on the Dundee Mental Health Strategy, ‘It’s All About the Break’ is a pilot scheme to support people who use mental health services and their unpaid carers to access new types of short breaks suited to their needs.
David Lynch, chief officer of the Dundee Health and Care Partnership, said: “It’s All About the Break will improve the quality, choice and availability of short break provision in Dundee for adults who use mental health services and their unpaid carers.
“The strength of this initiative is that it puts people who use the services and their carers at the heart of the design and delivery of short breaks.”
Don Williamson, chief executive of Shared Care Scotland, attended Thursday’s launch in the City Square and said: “It has been a privilege for us to see such a strong and creative partnership emerge from this process.
“It’s great to know that a small investment of pilot funding will ultimately result in new short break opportunities for carers in Dundee and those they care for.
“We know that the right short break at the right time can make all the difference to the caring relationship, and this new project will be a life-line to many local people.”
The scheme is designed let unpaid carers enjoy a life outside their caring role by either providing them with a short break.
People interested in finding out more should speak to their social worker, community mental health nurse, psychiatrist or contact: Dundee Carers Centre on 01382 200422.