Desperate for an academic break [sabbatical type]

[MarasmeAbsolu]

Without wanting to go into too much details, my academic unit is "toxic" (personal interactions, attitudes), with a high teaching / admin burden. However we are "research intensive" and need to perform well in REF.

The atmosphere in the department is costing me, slowly, my sanity and I am rarely able to concentrate on research. I lead a biggish group and have plenty of paper drafts I should be focussing on - sadly, this never happens. There is not one day going without someone shouting, making threats, snide comments to someone else in the team.

I was advised to go on a research break to step away from my toxic environment and take stock - however, my kind institution does not offer sabbaticals (like most others) and I would be required to match my salary while I am away.
I would be very keen to hear from anyone who managed this in lifesciences / biomedical sciences / applied statistics... :)

[CityDweller]

If your institution doesn't give sabbaticals then can you just request unpaid leave for a semester (if you can afford it)?

[MarasmeAbsolu]

I cannot afford it! [and while i love what I do, I have very limited enthusiasm to contribute to my uni's REF output for free]

Anyone managed to find a specific grant / scheme for visiting fellowships or sabbaticals?

The one I was aware of (a regional research grant which worked as a buy-out for tenured people) has ended....