Young carers grants for days out or short breaks
Grant details
| Grant size: | Up to £500 per family over the course of a year |
| Apply by: | Open year-round and expected to run until March 2027, but may close earlier if demand is high |
| Decision in: | We hope to be able to give you an outcome from your application within 6 weeks of receiving your completed form |
Who is it for?Children and young people under 18 who are recognised as having caring responsibilities
What is it for?To support young carers to take part in activities, to have a day out or short break either on their own, with a friend or mentor, or with their family
What can I get a grant for?
Young Carers across Somerset have told us they face many challenges in accessing and affording opportunities to take part in activities, either on their own or with their families or a mentor. These activities might include days out at local attractions, attending sports events, or taking a short break or holiday.
We believe that young carers should be enable to access these opportunities in the same way as those without caring responsibilities.
The aims of the funding programme are to:
- support young carers and their families to enjoy opportunities for days out or short breaks together, or for young carers to enjoy age-appropriate activities independently
- ensure that funding enables young carers to feel empowered and supported by reducing the inequality or social isolation they may feel
- help strengthen the family relationships and emotional wellbeing of the young carers.
We’ll ask for feedback from those who are awarded grants to evaluate how these aims are achieved. You can use this grant for things such as:
- buying tickets for visiting an attraction or event
- transport costs to the attraction or event you would like to go to
- food costs whilst you’re there
- accommodation costs for a short break
- support costs that may be needed for the person in your family who you care for to enable them to be with you on the trip or for them to be supported whilst you are away.
The maximum grant size is £500. If the total cost of what you want to do is more than £500 you can use the grant as a contribution to the overall cost as long as you can confirm to us that you have the remainder of the money available. A family can apply more than once in a 12 month period but the maximum amount awarded in that 12 month period will be £500.
What can't a grant be awarded for?
The grants are solely to enable young carers to enjoy days out or time together with their families or mentors, doing activities they might otherwise not be able to. The grants cannot be used to buy clothing, groceries or for day-to-day living costs.
Who can apply?
If you’re a young person who lives in Somerset and has caring responsibilities we’d like to hear from you. You can get an adult to help you fill out the form or get in touch with us for support in completing it.
If there’s an activity, day out or short break that you’d like to enjoy, either with your family, or on your own then please fill in an application form. We may be able to contribute up to £500 of the cost of that what you want to do.
We also need you to provide the name and contact details for a referee. This is someone who knows you and knows the caring responsibilities that you have. They must be your Somerset Council Family Intervention Worker, Young Carer Lead Worker, Social Worker or it could also be a teacher at your school.
If you’re a Young Carer but not currently in contact with Somerset Council, please visit their website here to find out about the support available and how to get in touch.
When do I have to apply?
This Fund will be opening in March 2026 and we anticipate it running for around 12 months. This will be dependent on the number of applications that we receive.
We hope to be able to give you an outcome from your application within 6 weeks of receiving your completed form.
How likely are we to get a grant?
Sadly, we can’t promise to provide funding to everyone that applies to us.
We’re more likely to give you some money if you:
- clearly detail the activity/day out or short break you would like money for
- detail the costs involved in doing the above (e.g. ticket prices, transport costs, accommodation costs)
- confirm that you and your family have the additional funds available to pay any balance necessary (e.g. if the activity or holiday costs £700 and we’re only able to award £500)
- give us the name and contact details of a referee who knows about your caring responsibilities. This must be your Somerset Council Family Intervention Worker, Young Carer Lead Worker, Social Worker or it could also be a teacher at your school.
In some circumstances the grant won’t be awarded as a cash payment but we will facilitate the purchase of tickets directly.
How are decisions made?
Your application will be looked at by one of our team. They’ll read through what you’ve written, check you’ve met the criteria for the funding (please read all sections carefully prior to applying) and they’ll contact you if they have any questions. They’ll also contact the referee that you have named.
After they have heard back from the referee they’ll be in contact with you to let you know the outcome of your application.
How do I apply to this programme?
You’ll be able to apply via our online application form once the Fund is opened in March 2026.
If you need any help completing the form please contact us and we can answer any queries you may have.
Get help with this Fund
This Fund is managed by Clare, our Programmes Manager. However, any of our Programmes Team can help you if you:
- aren’t sure if you meet our standards
- aren’t sure if this is the best fund to apply for
- can’t use our online form
- can’t attach the documents we’ve asked for.
You can talk to our Programmes Team by emailing info@somersetcf.org.uk, calling 01749 344949, or booking a time to meet Clare.
Grant details
| Grant size: | Up to £500 per family over the course of a year |
| Apply by: | Open year-round and expected to run until March 2027, but may close earlier if demand is high |
| Decision in: | We hope to be able to give you an outcome from your application within 6 weeks of receiving your completed form |
Who is it for?Children and young people under 18 who are recognised as having caring responsibilities
What is it for?To support young carers to take part in activities, to have a day out or short break either on their own, with a friend or mentor, or with their family
