Breakaway for Carers - book a volunteer to give you a break when you need it

Breakaway for Carers is a free service for carers in Dacorum (including Berkhamsted, Bovingdon and Tring) and St Albans City and District (including Harpenden and surrounding villages). Currently recruiting in Watford and Hertsmere.

The service enables relatives and friends looking after dependent adults to have a break by arranging for someone else to take over for a few hours in the person's home.

Our volunteers are trained and vetted and have experience of looking after older people, people with a physical disability or people with a learning disability and we match them carefully with individual needs.

Volunteers do not undertake personal care, although they will escort service users to and from the toilet. They are not able to do any lifting or housework, but will make snacks and drinks. They are used to dealing with service users who have confusion or dementia.

The service is provided through Health and Community Services (formerly Adult Care Services). Referrals can be made through your care manager, online or by calling the number below.

Once registered, you can book a session by phone or online. Our web-based service offers greater flexibility and allows you to make bookings directly with a volunteer.

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?

Please contact us or use the link to register. Some experience of caring for a dependent person, either a member of your family, or through your job or voluntary work would be useful but you will be fully trained and a CRB check will be carried out.

Even if you only have a few hours to spare, the service would welcome hearing from you. Spending a little time as a volunteer could make a huge difference to someone's life.

Our online booking system allows you to show the times when you are available and to confirm bookings by text message so it is truly flexible and can fit in easily with other commitments.