How to Run a Respite Care Programme?

Q.

We own a 1400 acre working farm that has a barn with planning permission for respite accommodation. How do we go about setting up a respite programme and is help or funding available for this type of scheme in the UK?

A.

Hello and thank you for your question.

I'm sure you've already realised that, for such an important provision, respite care is woefully underfunded in the UK. It's one of those situations where, until someone famous or in power has brought the issue to the attention of a wider audience, not much is going to change.

Sadly, what funding you do and don't obtain seems largely affected by the charm and PR skills of your people. There is funding out there, but with so many organisations wanting and needing to get funds from the same small pool of money, you have to be the one that shouts the loudest to get the money. So before we get started on where to try and get funding from, it's important to think about what skills you (or your team) have that will encourage those with control of the purse strings to give you the money.

If we assume, for the purposes of this answer, that no-one is truly altruistic, gaining funding is often to do with that super sales phrase 'What's In It For Me?' (aka WIIFM). Corporate funding comes with branding strings attached. Local funding comes with publicity strings attached. Famous-person funding comes with PR-opportunity funding attached. Now, I don't mean to be cynical, just pointing out the truth, so that when you are approaching various people/groups for funding, you're realistic about what buttons you need to press to get the cash.

With regards to 'official' funding, yes, there is some available, but it's highly oversubscribed. You need someone to be filling in forms left, right and centre and applying for every possible grant they find out about. Government grants are available, as is lottery funding - Google is your friend here - so you must get your 'pitch' sorted out to make your application stand out. Do your homework - highlight how important your facilities will be for the local community, say how woeful your current respite provision is, get some testimonials from potential visitors as to how the new centre will change their lives. You need to take this seriously as a project and you are far more likely to be the one that gets the cheque.

Good Luck!

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