Invitation to dementia presentation about sensory changes.

Dementia – Sensory Changes Presentation

Join this engaging and informative presentation exploring how our senses can change with age.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about sensory changes in later life, gain practical tips, and ask questions in a supportive environment.

The session will look at how changes in sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell can affect day-to-day life, well-being and independence. The presentation will also include practical advice and solutions to help carers support those experiencing sensory changes, as well as an opportunity to experience activities that demonstrate how these changes may impact everyday tasks. There will also be a discussion around mobility and supportive strategies that can help improve safety and confidence.

The session will be delivered by an experienced team:
• Yvonne Cairns, Nurse Consultant in Dementia and Delirium
• Emma Douglas, Team Lead for Community Older Adult Mental Health
• Lisa Wilson, AHP Falls Lead

Please register by 10 am on Tuesday 12 May; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 14 May 2025
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre
invitation to help with transitions drop in cafe taking place in May

May Drop-in Cafe: Help with Transitions

Parents and unpaid carers of young people with additional support needs, pop in for a chat!

Join us if the child you care for is approaching or going through transitions, aged between 14 and 25, and lives in the Falkirk area.

Fiona Douglas, Transitions Coordinator for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), is hosting monthly ‘Drop-in Cafés’ in the Carers Centre (1a Bank Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NB). You can drop in between 10 am and 1 pm on the dates below with questions or for a chat about transitions. These sessions are open to unpaid carers registered with the Carers Centre.

✅ Ask questions about support available
✅ Learn how young people are supported in their transitions beyond school

Details:

📅 Thursday 7 May
🕒 From 10 am to 1 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1A Bank Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NB
❗We would appreciate if you could book your place here so that we can anticipate numbers, or just feel free to drop in on the day. 

If you have any questions or you are not registered with the Carers Centre, but would like to attend, please email daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk.

The next sessions will take place on Thursdays between 10 and 1pm on the following dates:

  • 4 June
  • 16 July
  • 6 August
  • 17 September
  • 15 October
  • 12 November
  • 10 December
invitation to consultation with the University of Stirling

Consultation with University of Stirling

Falkirk Carers, you’re invited! 

Join us to share your views and experiences to help shape future support.

Joanne McNaughton, Nursing Programme Director of the University of Stirling, will be joining us. Joanne is looking to hear your views and experiences, and most importantly, what you feel is crucial for our future nursing staff to be mindful of when they meet carers in the hospital wards.

Please register by 10 am on Tuesday 5 May; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 7 May 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom

Information Session for Professionals

Falkirk Professionals, you’re invited!

Come along to network and learn about what we do and how you can help unpaid carers!

If you know any other professionals who work with carers, please let them know about this opportunity. This session will give professionals an overview of what we do at the Carers Centre and how we can work together to support the carers they work with.

✅ Learn how we support unpaid carers
✅ Meet our teams and learn what they all do
✅ Connect with other professionals
✅ Gain practical insights into the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements, the hospital discharge process involving the carer, and more!
Let’s work together to support carers in our community!

📅 Thursday 30 April
⏰ From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or via Zoom

Register for the event here! 

⁉️  Alternatively, if you can’t make this one and you’d like to be informed about upcoming sessions via emails, please register your interest here.

invitation to carers essentials session on 6th May

May Carer Essentials

Carer Essentials are back, and you are invited!

This session is designed to inform and empower unpaid carers in Falkirk & Clackmannanshire so that they can care with confidence.

You’ll learn about:

  • Your rights as an unpaid carer
  • What we do at the Centre and how we can help
  • What other local services and support are available
  • What an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP) is and how you can benefit from it
You’ll also get to meet our teams and have the opportunity to ask your questions!

Ideal for those who:

  • are new to caring for a relative or friend
  • have registered with the Carers Centre in the last 6 months
  • or just would like a refresher of what we do and how we can help

Details:

📅 Wednesday 6 May
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 2 pm
📍 Carers Centre or Zoom
📝 Register here
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
Easter Bank holiday closure and local emergency services details

Easter Weekend and Support Services

The Carers Centre will be closed from Friday 3 April 2026 to Monday 6 April 2026 (inclusive), re-opening on Tuesday 7 April 2026.  Details of local support and emergency services are available below:

  • If you need an urgent Social Work service outwith normal office hours, you can contact:
    • Clackmannanshire Emergency Social Work on 01786 470500
    • Falkirk Emergency Social Work on 01786 470500
  • For information about local health services which are available, such as GPs and Pharmacies, please visit NHS Forth Valley – Know Who To Turn To When You Are Ill.
  • There is a Minor Injuries Unit for anyone living in NHS Forth Valley. Contact NHS 24 on 111, day or night before attending the Minor Injuries Unit, or visit Minor Injuries Unit.
  • For an A-Z of health services, you can go to NHS Forth Valley – Local Services Finder.
invitation to Falkirk Carers' Voice on 27th April

April Falkirk Carers’ Voice

Falkirk Carers, you’re invited!

Come along to learn about the new changes to carer benefits and what local groups you can join for free.

We will welcome Lyn McKay from Falkirk Citizens Advice Bureau, who will talk about the new updates to carer benefits that you may be eligible to apply for. Central Wellbeing SCIO will also join us to tell you about groups and activities that may help you in your caring role!

Meeting details:
📅 Monday 27 April 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here by 1pm on Thursday 23 April: 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/

invitation to consultation by Children with Disabilities Team on Friday 24th April

Consultation: Children with Disabilities Team

Falkirk Parent Carers, you’re invited! 

The Children with Disabilities Team are seeking your views!

Nicola Millar, Social Work Assistant Team Manager, is looking to hear your views and experiences about what’s working well and what could be improved. 

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 21 April; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Friday 24 April 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
invitation to safeguarding and neurodiversity session in the centre or on zoom

Safeguarding and Neurodiversity

Join us for an informative and supportive session designed especially for parent carers.

We are delighted to welcome two speakers from Falkirk Council.

Gillian Campbell, Quality Improvement Officer – Safeguarding & Wellbeing, and Lyn McLafferty, Educational Psychologist – Children’s Services, will give:

  • an overview of supports available for families
  • guidance on children & neurodiversity
  • strategies for supporting positive mental health & coping with anxiety
  • an opportunity to ask questions

This session is a great chance to build understanding, gather practical tips, and feel more confident in supporting your own and your child’s well-being.

Details:

🙋For unpaid parent carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire
📅 Tuesday 21 April
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
📝 Register here by 6 pm on Sunday 19 April
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
invitation to a series of sessions related to the topic of mental health

Mental Health Sessions at the Centre

Let’s focus on mental health this May!

Join us for a month of learning, well-being, and connection!

Throughout the month, we are offering a series of supportive, engaging sessions designed to help unpaid carers boost their well-being, build confidence, and connect with others. We warmly invite you to join us at any of the sessions below, and take some time for yourself to learn, reflect, and feel supported.

These sessions are open to unpaid carers in the Falkirk district and in Clackmannanshire, who are registered with the Carers Centre. To register with the Centre, please follow this link. Once you’ve completed the registration, come back to this page to sign up for the events using the relevant links below.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please email Dayna Faulds, Training Co-ordinator: daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk

 

Monday 4 May

2 pm to 3 pm

How Football Changed my Life: Brad McKay, former Falkirk FC Centre-Back

Join us for a conversation with Brad McKay in the Carers Centre. Brad has previously played for Falkirk FC (as well as Hearts, St Johnstone, and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, to name a few). He will tell us about how football was his outlet and prevented him from going down the ‘wrong path’. He will also discuss the coaching he does now and how to get involved.

📍In person only at the Carers Centre, 1A Bank Street, FK1 1NB

Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/jrsJh3cHhV

Thursday 7 May

12 noon to 2 pm

FDAMH: Mental Health Coping Mechanisms

Val McInroy, Head of Services at Falkirk and District’s Association for Mental Health (FDAMH) will discuss FDAMH’s services, as well as some mental health coping mechanisms and more.

  • Introduction to FDAMH – who they are, what they do, how they can support you.
  • Understanding Mental Health – recognising signs of anxiety and stress.
  • Practical Coping Strategies – simple tools you can use.
  • Q&A Time – ask questions, share experiences, and chat in a relaxed space.

📍 In person at the Carers Centre, 1A Bank Street, FK1 1NB, or Zoom

Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/tcMKA3WdT8

Thursday 21 May

11 am to 12.30 pm

Suicide Awareness & Prevention: Fiona Bartley

Fiona Bartley, Senior Health Improvement Officer from NHS Forth Valley is returning to deliver some crucial information regarding signs of suicide and suicide prevention. This session is designed to help carers learn practical ways to support not only the people they care for, but also peers and others in the community. You’ll gain confidence in recognising signs, starting conversations, and responding effectively.

📍In person only at the Carers Centre, 1A Bank Street, FK1 1NB

Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/M2dSFGQJWS

Monday 27 May

12.30 to 2.30 pm

ASN – Sensory & Communication Needs Overview

Alice Grant, Teacher & Trainer from Falkirk Council’s Children’s Services will be delivering an engaging overview on sensory & communication needs. Although Alice specialises in supporting children with additional support needs, the information is relevant for people of all ages, making this session ideal for any carer.

Alice will provide a practical, accessible overview of the following:

✅ Sensory Needs ✅ Distressed Behaviours ✅ Regulation & Stimming ✅ Model of Child Engagement

📍 In person at the Carers Centre, 1A Bank Street, FK1 1NB, or Zoom
Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/6Vt7dkpQbq