Consultation by Age Scotland

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Any Falkirk unpaid carers receiving state pension are invited to have your say!

Beth Allen, Policy Officer at Age Scotland, will be seeking your views about the issue that carers are unable to claim Carer Support Payment (formerly known as Carers Allowance) whilst in receipt of state pension.

Earlier this year, some of you kindly completed some questionnaires regarding this topic. The results have prompted Beth to come to the centre to have a more in-depth conversation with some carers in person because she feels your insights will be invaluable. You are welcome to attend regardless of whether you’ve completed any of the previous questionnaires.

Beth, whose role involves monitoring, analysing and influencing developments in policy which impact people affected by dementia, plans to raise your views and add them to ‘The Big Survey’ carried out by Age Scotland to help achieve meaningful change for Scotland’s carers.

Please register by 2 pm on Wednesday, 5 November; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.
Details:
📅 Monday, 10 November 2025
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre

Invitation to October Falkirk Carers’ Voice

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Falkirk Carers, you’re invited!

Come along to have your say!

During October’s Voice, we will welcome Gemma Ritchie from the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership’s Adult Support and Protection team, and Sarah and Josh from Caesar & Howie, who will tell us more about Power of Attorney.

Meeting details:
📅 Monday, 27 September 2025
📅 From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here: https://form.jotform.com/CentralCarers/falkirk-carers-voice
Or get in touch with Sharlene Ramage, our Carer Participation Development Worker: sharleneramage@centralcarers.co.uk

⁉️ Did you know that you can read the previous meeting minutes on our website? Go to https://centralcarers.org/information/publications/

New Care with Confidence Programme

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Our new programme has now been released!

Come along to learn about topics that can help you with your caring role. 

30 September 2025: Dementia Sensory Changes Part 1

It is important to learn the common signs of sensory changes for those with dementia and how this can affect their daily life. We will look at this over two sessions. In session one, we will consider how changes to vision, hearing, and touch can have an impact on the way your loved one may experience the world.

07 October 2025: Muscular Dystrophy UK

Muscular dystrophies are a group of rare conditions that gradually cause muscles to weaken and waste away. A diagnosis can change everything, and there are challenges you’ll face living with a progressive condition. Having the right information and advice can make all the difference. Whether you’ve just received a diagnosis, need some practical information, or just want someone who understands what you’re going through. We can help. Come along to find out more.

14 October 2025: Short Breaks – Flexible Respite

This session will outline all respite options available to carers. This includes overnight respite, respite hours at home, breaks where the cared-for person and carer go away together, and information on funding that can be used to purchase items or services that provide carers a break and support them in their caring role. Come along to find out more.

To book a place or for further information on any of the above, please contact your Training Co-ordinator:

👩  Donna Mulder
📱  07824 381280
📧  donnamulder@centralcarers.co.uk
Invitation to Falkirk Carers' Voice

Invitation to September Falkirk Carers’ Voice

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Falkirk Carers, it’s time to register for September’s Voice.

Come along and have your say!

David Miller from Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) will be seeking your views about the New Carers Strategy. We will also welcome Lana Ray from FHSCP, who will talk about ‘care at home’ and ‘home care’ services.

Meeting details:
📅 Monday, 22 September 2025
📅 From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here: https://ow.ly/KgbW50WA0jh
Or get in touch with Sharlene Ramage, our Carer Participation Development Worker: sharleneramage@centralcarers.co.uk

⁉️ Did you know that you can read the previous meeting minutes on our website here https://centralcarers.org/information/publications/

Invitation to a consultation by Falkirk HSCP and Falkirk Council

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Falkirk Carers, you are invited to this consultation to share your experiences! 

Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is working in partnership with Falkirk Council on a new Trauma-Informed Strategy and Action Plan, which aims to improve various services available across the Falkirk District.

They want to ensure that their plans draw on real-life experiences and are grounded in what matters most to the community. Your insights, as a carer, will be invaluable in highlighting what works and what needs to change

Details:
📅 Monday, 1 September 2025
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre, or online via Zoom
Falkirk Carers Voice August date and time, happening on 25th August from 10 to 12 noon

Invitation to August Falkirk Carers’ Voice

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We’d love to have you at the August Carers’ Voice!

This is a great place for you to share your views and experiences to help shape services and support, be around those in similar situations, as well as to find out about services that can help you or the person you care for.

Join us in August to find out more about:

  • groups and activities offered by the Falkirk Football Community Foundation
    fall prevention from Lisa from NHS Forth Valley and
  • have your say about your Carer Representative for the Integration Joint Board for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership

Meeting details:
📅 Monday 25 August 2025
📅 From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here: https://ow.ly/KgbW50WA0jh
Or get in touch with Sharlene Ramage, our Carer Participation Development Worker: sharleneramage@centralcarers.co.uk

⁉️ Did you know you can read the previous meeting minutes on our website here https://centralcarers.org/information/publications/

PowerPoint slide showing Football Respitality break results for 2024/25

Falkirk FC and Falkirk Foundation extend FREE match ticket initiative for local carers

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Partnering with the Falkirk Foundation and Falkirk Football Club, we are proud to announce the continuation of the Tickets for Carers initiative for the 2025/26 Premiership season.

The partnership offers unpaid carers and their families the opportunity to access free tickets to Falkirk FC home matches delivered through our Respitality project.  As part of the experience, Falkirk Foundation & Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre also provide a complimentary hot drink and pie voucher alongside each ticket. 

Thanks to this initiative, local carers can take a well-earned break from their routine and enjoy time with family or friends.

Last season made a real difference to many carers’ lives and mental well-being. Therefore, we are extremely grateful to the Falkirk Foundation and the Falkirk Football Club for their continued support.  You can read their press release about the initiative here: https://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/2025/07/29/falkirk-fc-and-falkirk-foundation-extend-free-match-ticket-initiative-for-local-carers/

If you are an unpaid carer living in the Falkirk district or the Clackmannanshire area and would like to express your interest in these matches, or find out more about Respitality, then please get in touch with our Short Breaks Team.

 

Carers Centre Manager’s Report 2024/25

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We are pleased to present our annual report, detailing the fantastic results the Carers Centre delivered during 2024/25, including some pictures and quotes showing the impact and value of our work.

We will continue to strive to work hard and support carers of all ages, ensuring that carers in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire are recognised, informed, supported, and given opportunities to be involved with changes that may impact them.

 

Carers' Voice poster showing date Monday 28 July and time 10 to 12 noon

Invitation to Falkirk July Carers’ Voice

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Carers’ Voice meetings provide an opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, representatives from local authorities, and other third sector organisations.

Have your say at the next Carers’ Voice! Your input could prove invaluable in helping shape support, services and policies for carers.

What other carers said:

  • “A very welcoming environment- thank you very much!”
  • “Very good meet up, excellent support and information.”
  • “It is good to hear everyone’s story and advice.”

Come and join us!
During July’s Voice,

  • We will welcome Amanda from the Office of the Public Guardian to discuss Power of Attorney and Guardianship.
  • Rachel from Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs will also attend to tell us more about their service.
  • We also hope to provide you with an update from your Integration Joint Board (IJB) Carer Representative.

Meeting Details:
📅  Monday 28 July 2025
⏰  From 10 am to 12 noon
📍  At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here: https://ow.ly/ieQR50WjFKW
Or get in touch with Sharlene Ramage, our Carer Participation Development Worker: sharleneramage@centralcarers.co.uk

⁉️ Did you know? You can read the previous meeting minutes on our website here!

Invitation to fill in the State of Caring Survey 2025

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Carers UK have launched their annual State of Caring Survey to help paint a comprehensive picture of what life is like for carers at the moment, the challenges they might face, and the impact caring has on different areas of their lives.

The survey will close on Sunday, 10 August, and they will share the results later in the year. As the survey is designed to deeply understand carers’ experiences, it is a longer survey. Therefore, it might take you about 30 minutes to complete.

This survey is the UK’s most comprehensive research into the lives and experiences of carers. It plays a vital role in shaping policy and improving support services by providing robust evidence to governments, local authorities, and health and social care providers.

Last year, over 12,500 carers shared their experiences. With new proposals and policy changes being announced by the UK Government, it is more important than ever that you have your say. Your voice is essential in driving change and ensuring that carers’ needs are recognised and addressed.

We very much appreciate you taking the time to complete it.

The survey can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QN5QWF7

Results from last year

Last year Carers UK were able to use carers’ responses to the survey to successfully:

  • campaign for an increase to the earnings limit on Carer’s Allowance
  • respond to the independent review of Carer’s Allowance overpayments
  • campaign for paid carer’s leave
  • publish a new report calling for changes to older carers’ benefits
  • respond to the consultation on the NHS 10 Year Plan and to the Select Committee report on the cost of inaction on social care

In addition, the results from last year have been discussed on national TV shows, as well as local BBC radio, and in many national and local newspapers, raising the profile of unpaid caring.