Carers Resilience and Enablement Grant
Emergency support when you need it most
When unexpected situations prevent you from caring, this grant can provide urgent financial support to help you manage.
What is our Carers Resilience and Enablement Grant?
The Carers Resilience and Enablement Grant is here to help unpaid carers in Cornwall when unforeseen circumstances or emergencies arise that prevent you from fulfilling your caring role.
Life as a carer is unpredictable. Sometimes things break, situations change suddenly, or you face unexpected expenses that you simply can't afford. This grant exists to help you get through those difficult moments so you can continue caring.
This grant can help with:
Repair or replacement of essential domestic equipment that's broken
Private care equipment needed urgently
An urgent break for you and the person you care for
Other urgent domestic needs that prevent you from caring
The key word is "urgent". This grant is for emergency situations where you don't have the means to meet the expense yourself and the need can't be met from elsewhere.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply for this grant if you're an unpaid, informal carer in Cornwall and:
You're facing an unforeseen or emergency circumstance that's preventing you from caring
You don't have the means to provide the resource or meet the expense yourself
The need can't be met from anywhere else (like other funding sources or services)
You're referred and endorsed by Cornwall Carers Service or another recognised service supporting carers
Please Note:
You cannot apply directly for this grant. You must be referred and endorsed by a professional from Cornwall Carers Service. The professional will help you complete the application and sign it off.
Don't worry if you're not already registered with us, if you're in an emergency situation, get in touch and we'll support you through the process.
What Can the Grant Cover?
The grant can help with a wide range of urgent needs. Here are some real-life examples of situations it can support:
Broken Washing Machine
Your washing machine breaks down and you need it urgently to wash bedding and clothes for the person you care for who has incontinence issues.
Grant could cover: Repair or replacement costs
Essential Care Equipment
You need a special chair or mobility aid urgently that isn't available through NHS services, and the person you care for can't manage without it.
Grant could cover: Private purchase of equipment
Urgent Respite Break
You're exhausted and at breaking point. You desperately need a short break, but you can't afford respite care for the person you support.
Grant could cover: Respite care costs for a break in Cornwall
Broken Fridge/Freezer
Your fridge breaks and you need to store medication and prepared meals for the person you care for.
Grant could cover: Emergency replacement appliance
Essential Home Repairs
Your boiler breaks in winter and the person you care for has health conditions that make them vulnerable to cold.
Grant could cover: Emergency repair costs
Broken Bed or Mattress
A specialist bed or mattress breaks and is essential for the comfort and safety of the person you care for.
Grant could cover: Replacement or repair
What About Non-Emergency Needs?
This grant is specifically for urgent, unforeseen situations. If you have other needs that aren't emergencies, we can help you access:
A Carer's Assessment for ongoing support
A Carer's Personal Budget for planned support
Other grants and funding sources
Local services and community support
Get in touch with us to discuss your situation.
Step-by-Step: How to Access the Grant
Contact Cornwall Carers Service
As soon as you realise you have an urgent need, get in touch with us. Don't wait, we're here to help.
Phone: 01736 756655
If you're already working with another service that supports carers (like your GP surgery, hospital, or a charity), they can also refer you.
2. Explain Your Situation
Tell us what's happened and what you urgently need. We'll ask you about:
What the emergency or unforeseen circumstance is
How it's preventing you from caring
What you need to resolve the situation
Whether you've tried to get help from anywhere else
Why you can't afford to resolve it yourself
Be honest and open – we're not here to judge. We know caring is hard and unexpected things happen.
3. We'll Complete the Application Together
One of our professionals will help you complete the grant application. They'll:
Fill in the application form with you
Gather any supporting information needed
Write a supporting statement about your situation
Endorse your application (sign it off)
You won't have to navigate this alone – we'll do it together.
4. Fast-Track Assessment
Applications for urgent needs are assessed quickly:
Repair/replacement of essential domestic equipment: within 5 days
Private care equipment: within 5 days
Urgent break: within 5 days
Other urgent domestic needs: within 5 days
We understand that when something is urgent, you can't wait weeks for a decision.
5. Receive the Decision
You'll be notified of the decision as quickly as possible. If your application is approved:
We'll arrange payment directly to suppliers where possible
Or we'll reimburse you if you've already had to pay
We'll work with you to get the support in place urgently
6. Get the Support You Need
Once approved, we'll help you:
Arrange repairs or replacements
Purchase equipment
Book respite care
Whatever you need to resolve the urgent situation
If your application for this grant isn't successful, it doesn't mean we can't help you. We'll work with you to:
Find alternative sources of funding or support
Connect you with other services that can help
Arrange a Carer's Assessment to look at your ongoing needs
Explore whether a Carer's Personal Budget might be appropriate
Signpost you to local charities and community resources
Provide advice and information about other options
What If My Application Isn't Approved?
We won't leave you without support. If this grant isn't the right fit, we'll help you find what is.
Real Stories: How the Grant Has Helped
Useful Resources
Jane's Story - Truro
"When our washing machine broke, I didn't know what to do. My husband has dementia and incontinence, and I was washing bedding and clothes by hand in the bath. I was exhausted. Cornwall Carers Service helped me apply for the grant, and within days we had a new washing machine fitted. It was such a relief – I could focus on caring for my husband instead of spending hours doing laundry."
Mark's Story - Bodmin
"I care for my teenage daughter who has complex needs. Her specialist chair broke and she couldn't manage without it. The waiting list for a replacement through the NHS was months. I was at my wit's end. The grant meant we could get a private chair within a week. It made all the difference to her comfort and my ability to care for her safely."
Sarah's Story - Falmouth
"After two years of caring for my mum 24/7, I was completely burned out. I desperately needed a break but couldn't afford respite care. Cornwall Carers Service arranged the grant for a week's respite at a local care home. That week saved me – I came back feeling human again and able to carry on caring."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can the grant provide?
The amount varies depending on your individual circumstances and needs. Each application is assessed on its own merits. We focus on meeting the urgent need rather than working to a fixed amount.
Can I apply more than once?
If you face another unforeseen emergency in the future, you can apply again. However, the grant is for one-off emergency situations, not ongoing needs.
What if I'm already receiving a Carer's Personal Budget?
You can still access this grant for unforeseen emergencies that fall outside your personal budget arrangements.
Do I need to be registered with Cornwall Carers Service?
No, but you do need to be referred and endorsed by us or another recognised carer support service. If you're in an emergency and not already registered, contact us and we'll help.
What counts as "unforeseen"?
Unforeseen means you couldn't have planned for it or predicted it. Things breaking suddenly, unexpected emergencies, or situations that arise without warning.
What if I've already paid for the repair/equipment?
In genuine emergencies where you've had to pay immediately, we may be able to reimburse you. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
Will I need to provide receipts or quotes?
Usually yes – we'll need to see evidence of the cost and what you need. Your support worker will guide you through what's needed.
What if the person I care for lives in Cornwall but I don't?
The grant is for carers supporting someone in Cornwall. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Is there an age limit?
No, the grant is available to unpaid carers of all ages in Cornwall.
What if I'm working – can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply if you're a working carer. The grant is about your urgent need, not your employment status.
Tips for Your Application
Be Honest and Open
Explain your situation clearly. We need to understand the full picture to help you effectively.
Explain Why It's Urgent
Help us understand why this need can't wait and how it's preventing you from caring.
Be Clear About Your Finances
Explain why you can't afford to meet this need yourself. We're not here to judge – we just need to understand your situation.
Show You've Explored Other Options
Let us know if you've tried to get help elsewhere or looked at other solutions that didn't work out.
Provide Evidence Where You Can
Photos of broken items, quotes for repairs, medical letters – anything that supports your application.
Don't Wait
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help. Don't struggle in silence hoping things will improve.
About the Grant
The Carers Resilience and Enablement Grant is managed by Cornwall Carers Service, which is part of Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC), in partnership with NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board.
The grant recognises that unpaid carers are the backbone of our care system, and that sometimes unexpected challenges can make it impossible to continue caring without urgent support.
This grant exists because we believe every carer deserves help when they need it most.
Facing an Emergency?
Don't struggle alone. Get in touch with us now.
Caring is hard enough without facing emergencies alone. Let us help you when unexpected things happen. That's what we're here for.
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