What Is A Short Break?
A Short Break is a personalised, flexible opportunity that gives unpaid carers precious time for themselves or a break from their daily caring responsibilities, supporting their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Breaks may take the form of multi-day breaks, overnight stays, day trips, group activities, or small grants, and can be taken by the carer alone, the person they support, or as a whole family.
At AP Cymru, our Short Breaks are designed specifically for neurodivergent families, recognising sensory needs,
emotional regulation, transitions, predictability, and lived-experience-informed support. Depending on available funding, each Short Break programme may consist of a collection of different formats. Funding levels also determine the number of breaks available, eligibility parameters, and programme-specific terms and conditions.
We work hard to eliminate barriers for neurodivergent families across Wales.
N.B. Break availability is wholly dependent on grant funding support.
Experiences Tailored to Neurodivergent Families
Through our strong partnerships with:
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Bluestone Resort
Pembrokeshire’s awardwinning, allweather holiday village offering lodges, nature trails, sensoryfriendly spaces and inclusive activities. (bluestonewales.com) -
Saltern Holiday Park
Peaceful coastal relaxation with familyfriendly facilities. (salternholidaypark.co.uk)
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AP Cymru provides opportunities for families to:
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Recharge in calm, accessible environments
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Build shared memories
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Strengthen family bonds
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Reduce stress and anxiety
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Enjoy activities at their own pace
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Feel safe and supported
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Experience new opportunities
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Engage in wholefamily support (where funding allows)
Families consistently report transformative outcomes — including young people describing breaks as the “best time ever!”
National Short Breaks Wales Programme
What This Means for Neurodivergent Families
AP Cymru ensures families with neurodivergent children and young people are fully included in this national infrastructure, shaping fair, equitable, and accessible provision.
Our Role in the Welsh Government Short Breaks Scheme
AP Cymru is proud to be actively engaged in the Welsh Government–funded Short Breaks Scheme, coordinated by Carers Trust Wales. This programme supports personalised, flexible, creative break opportunities designed to improve carer wellbeing, resilience, and the sustainability of caring relationships.
The scheme — launched in 2022 and now funded through to March 2029 — aims to support over 60,000 unpaid carers across Wales, with 21,000+ carers already benefiting by 2025.
Impact & Outcomes
The Difference Short Breaks Make
AP Cymru Short Breaks have been shown to:
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Reduce caregiver stress
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Improve emotional wellbeing
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Strengthen family relationships
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Support emotional regulation for neurodivergent children
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Prevent crisis escalation
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Encourage trying new things
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Build new friendships and a sense of community belonging
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Shift internal and external narratives positively
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Improve awareness of support services for neurodivergent families
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Improve confidence and resilience
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Create lasting positive memories
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These impacts mirror the goals and outcomes of the Short Breaks Wales programme and reinforce the value of neuroaffirming, family-led respite.
Alignment with the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
Building a Better Wales for Today and Tomorrow
AP Cymru’s approach directly supports several of the Act’s seven statutory wellbeing goals, including:
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A Healthier Wales — supporting emotional and mental wellbeing
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A More Equal Wales — ensuring equitable access for neurodivergent families
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A Wales of Cohesive Communities — strengthening family relationships and eliminating barriers
We embody the Act’s Five Ways of Working:
Prevention, Longterm, Integration, Collaboration, Involvement — the same principles underpinning the national Short Breaks Scheme.
How to access a short break
How to Apply
Our team will contact you to discuss available Short Break opportunities at the point of receipt of application form (please note we will contact asap but this may take up to 5 working days)
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Eligibility & Application
Short Breaks are available to:
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Unpaid carers of neurodivergent children and young people
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Living in Wales
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Experiencing ongoing caring responsibilities
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Seeking time to rest, recover, or support family wellbeing
Testimonials
For Funders & Commissioners
AP Cymru’s Short Breaks delivery aligns with national priorities by improving carer resilience, removing barriers to societal engagement, reducing crisis escalation, and advancing a More Equal, Healthier, and Cohesive Wales. Our preventative, peersupported, neuroaffirming community model reflects the Act’s Five Ways of Working.
For Families
Enjoy time to breathe, reconnect and create joyful memories with supportive Short Breaks at Bluestone Resort, Saltern Holiday Park, and through our many exclusive, inclusive events and activities — all designed with neurodivergent needs at the centre of every opportunity. Where funding is from Welsh funders, we aim to keep opportunities within Wales supporting Welsh organisations, Welsh jobs and the Welsh economy.
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Ready for an Experience That Is Truly Welcoming?
Thank you to our funders/partner organisations/activities providers.
