consultation with NHS Forth Valley on 12th March from 10 am in the Carers Centre

Consultation: NHS Forth Valley

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Falkirk Carers, you’re invited!ย 

NHS Forth Valley is joining us for this consultation.

Karen Goudie, Executive Nurse Director, and Ross McGuffie, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley, are looking to hear your views and experiences of the accident and emergency department, admissions to hospital, and the hospital discharge process.

Karen Goudie and Ross McGuffie held a consultation with carers in March. The minutes of this previous meeting can be foundย here.

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 16 June; however,ย if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 16 June 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
snippet of summer newsletter

Summer Newsletter

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Our Summer Newsletter has arrived!

Supporting, Celebrating and Connecting Carers

In this edition:

Young Carers Action Dayย 
Carers Week
Updates from the last few months
Upcoming events and training opportunities
Carers Week Prize Draw

 

carers week programme imagery with logo and carers week visuals containing houses, a person, nature signifying communities

Carers Week 2026

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Carers Week 2026 – the countdown has started!

Will you be joining us?

Carers Week is a yearly campaign that aims:

  • to raise awareness about caring and who unpaid carers are
  • to raise awareness of and recognise the challenges unpaid carers face
  • to acknowledge the immense contributions unpaid carers make to our society
  • and to celebrate the vital role unpaid carers play in our communities

The theme for Carers Week 2026, “Building Carer Friendly Communities”, highlights what an important role communities play in ensuring carers get the opportunities and support they need.

Carer friendly communitiesย 

  • recognise who unpaid carers are and the vital role they have in our society
  • understand the impact of caring and what it entails
  • take action to identify and support carers in different ways
  • empower carers to lead fulfilling lives

As a result, unpaid carers can have fairer support and opportunities, living a better life.ย 

Why we need carer friendly communities?

Unpaid carers often get overlooked, undervalued or are unsupported. Yet, they are the backbone of our communities facing challenges affecting many aspects of their life including but not limited to their physical or mental health, education, relationships, careers, to name a few. Carer friendly communities have the power to turn understanding into action and make support a daily constant in carers’ lives. Even the smallest contribution can make a great impact on carers’ lives.ย 

At Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre we believe that carers deserve to be recognised for the difficulties they face, respected for their efforts, informed about their rights and options, and supported to continue caring safely. Throughout the week, we will be raising awareness and encouraging communities to take practical and meaningful steps to create positive change.

We will also be celebrating carers with the below programme.ย 

Our Carers Week Programme:

5 Days of Carers Week Prize Draw

Our popular prize draw will be back! We will be doing a draw each day from Monday 8 June to Friday 12 June. To show our support, prizes include vouchers from multiple local businesses. Please note you only need to enter your details once for all 5 days.

Enter the prize draw here:https://form.jotform.com/CentralCarers/cwpd

Monday 8 Juneย 

Pamper Appointments

***Please note appointments will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one appointment per carer.

Drop-in Session for Falkirk Carers

  • Time: 10 am to 3 pm
  • Location: at the Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street, Falkirk
  • No booking requiredย 
  • Open to Falkirk carers

If you answer yes to these questions, this session is for you:
– Do you help to look after a partner, child, relative or friend who needs your help due to disability, illness, frailty or addiction?
– Do you live in the Falkirk district?
– Are you between the ages of 8 and 100?

👉 Why attend?
– learn about support available to you, and your rights
– have a casual chat with understanding people and get emotional support if needed
– find out more about benefits you may be eligible for
– free tea/coffee and biscuits
– ask your questions

🫶 You will feel more informed, involved and supported.

Tuesday 9 Juneย 

Guided Hill Walk with Falkirk Outdoorsย 

  • Time: all day
  • Location: to be confirmed with attendees
  • How to book: By invitation only* (feel free get in touch as we might still have some spaces left)

*Carers who have expressed an interest in Short Break Activities were invited along to try our community- themed activities If you would like to hear more about future short break activities on offer or join our cancellation list, please contact shortbreaks@centralcarers.co.uk. Please note carers must be physically fit and able to walk for 4 hours.ย 

Consultation with Social Security Scotland regarding Carer Benefits

Wednesday 10 Juneย 

Central Carers Association – Annual General Meeting

  • Time: From 10 am
  • Location: at the Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street, Falkirk

Our Annual General Meeting is open to anyone, and no booking is required. Those who cannot attend in person will be able to join via Zoom. Please only get in touch by callingย 01324 611510ย or emailingย centre@centralcarers.co.ukย if:

  • you require the Zoom link
  • live in Clackmannanshire and require transport to attend the meeting
  • would like to become a member of Central Carers Association, which is the local voluntary organisation and the managing body of the Carers Centre. Members can vote at the AGM.

Thursday 11 June

Health & Wellbeing Activity with Good Vibes Meditation Mental Health and Wellbeing Trust

  • Time: From 11 am to 12 noon
  • Location: at the Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street, Falkirk
  • Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/xidqdsP2Qq
  • Open to all Falkirk and Clackmannanshire carers

Clackmannanshire Carers Afternoon Tea for Clackmannanshire Carers

***Please note, this event is only for Clackmannanshire carers, spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost to carers is ยฃ5.ย 

Friday 12 June

Cold Water Dip with Sarah McBride, Cold Water Facilitator

  • Time: From 10.30 am to 1 pm
  • Location: to be confirmed with attendees
  • How to book: By invitation only* (feel free get in touch as we might still have some spaces left)

*Carers who have expressed an interest in Short Break Activities were invited along to try our community- themed activities. If you would like to hear more about future short break activities on offer or join our cancellation list, please contact shortbreaks@centralcarers.co.uk.ย Carers must be in good health and must complete and pass a health questionnaire before participating.

an image of the carer representatives and invitation to read the article about them and their updates

Updates from your Carer Representatives

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Falkirk Carer Representatives

Introduction

A massive thank you to all Carer Representatives who have completed the Carer Representative Training and sit on various Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) groups or are involved with alternative Carer Representation roles!ย ย Their time and commitment to helping others are highly appreciated!

The Carer Representatives regularly engage with carers via carer groups and local forums to gather views and information to understand issues affecting carers. This ensures their input reflects carersโ€™ views, not only personal experience.

When participating in meetings, Carer Representatives contribute to discussions and provide advice and scrutiny from a Carerโ€™s perspective. Where possible, they may add relevant items to meeting agendas and are prepared to raise relevant points and ask questions.ย  If youโ€™d like to share your experiences, please contact Sharlene, who will ensure the relevant Carer Representative shares your views on your behalf.

Carer Representation

Integration Joint Board (IJB):

  • Sharon Mwale (IJB Carer Representative)
  • Amanda Winters (IJB Depute Carer Representative)

Carers Strategy Group:

  • Dana Horsburgh
  • Ruth Forrester (currently on leave)

Dementia Strategy Group:

  • John Giovanacci
  • Aprilanne Ferguson (currently on leave)

Digital Health and Care Programme Board:

  • Danny McLean

Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP Lived Experience Panel) / Authentic Voices Group:

  • Mandy Winters

Representation on other local groups:

  • Bamidele Bamgbopa (Central Locality Steering Group).

Updates

  • Integration Joint Board โ€“ A milestone

Weโ€™re pleased to share a major milestone: lived-experience representatives will finally have an equal voice by having full voting rights from 1 September 2026 on the IJB Boards, which means IJB Carer Representative, Sharon Mwale, and the Depute, Amanda Winters, will have voting rights, as well.

  • NHS Annual Review

Carer Representatives Mandy Winters and John Giovanacci were invited to the closed session of the NHS annual review, where they raised carers’ experiences of hospital discharge and spoke about the need for suitable supports for dementia care due to an aging population, with dementia figures set to rise. As a result of the meeting, we held a consultation in the Centre with NHS Chief Executive Ross McGuffie and Karen Goudie, Executive Nurse Director. Notes from the meeting can be found here.

  • Carers Strategy

Dana has been meeting regularly with Jennifer Faichney, Policy and Research Officer, from the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) during the development of the new Carer Strategy. ย Meetings will continue as the strategy is still being developed. We hope to bring you specific updates soon.

  • Dementia

As a result of John regularly attending the Dementia Strategy Group, we have regular consultations, held in the Centre, with Yvonne Cairns (Dementia and Delirium Lead NHS Forth Valley) and Emma Douglas (Community Mental Health Team Lead for Older Adults NHS Forth Valley). These sessions are an opportunity for carers to learn new information and share their experiences of NHS services relating to dementia. You can find out more about the sessions by emailing Sharlene Ramage, Carer Participation Development Worker – sharleneramage@centralcarers.co.uk. Minutes of previous meetings can be found on our Publications page, under Falkirk Consultations: https://centralcarers.org/information/publications/

  • Other updates

      • Sharon has reached out to Carrongrange High School to raise awareness and support more parent carers to share their views. As a result of this, we have started conversations with professionals and held consultations in the Centre. You can read the minutes from the consultation with the Children with Disabilities Social Work Team here.
      • Danny has been involved with some outreach work, visiting local workplaces to support staff to be Carer Aware.
      • Bamidele has recently joined as Carer Representative on the Central Locality Planning group. She is taking carersโ€™ views from the Falkirk Carersโ€™ Voice and other community groups to the Central Locality Planning. More updates to follow how this will impact services.
      • Bamidele has also been to the University of Stirling to meet with medical students. As a result of her work, in May, we held a consultation in the Centre with Joanne McNaughton, Nursing Programme Director of the University of Stirling, who sought carersโ€™ views and experiences to help integrate these into the education of future nursing staff. Minutes of this meeting can be found here.
      • Mandy featured in the Sunday Post, highlighting the experiences of unpaid carers in Scotland who are caring for both children and ageing parents at the same time, often referred to as the โ€œsandwich generationโ€. The article describes the reality of juggling multiple caring responsibilities alongside family life, health pressures, and in many cases, employment. Read it here.
      • Bamidele shared her powerful personal story in the Sunday National newspaper about caring for her son, from the early challenges of navigating health systems to finding vital support after moving to Scotland. In this honest and moving piece, she reflects on the realities many carers faceโ€”including isolation, stigma, and lack of awarenessโ€”and how connecting with the Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre became a turning point for her. Read the full article here.ย 
Invitation to annual general meeting with photos from last year

Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM)

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You’re invited!

Come along to discover the impact we made last year and learn about our future plans.

The 30th AGM of Central Carers Association (CCA) will take place on Wednesday 10 June 2026 at 10.00 am, followed by a members-only lunch in the Carers Centre at 1a Bank Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NB.

The AGM is open to all.

If you live in the Clackmannanshire area and need travel assistance, please contact the Centre using the contact details below. Those who cannot attend in person will be able to join the AGM via Zoom. (Email for the link.)ย ย 

CCA is the local voluntary organisation that support carers in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire and is the managing body of the Carers Centre. Full membership of CCA is open to all carers 18 years of age and over in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, and associate membership is open to young carers under the age of 18. By becoming a Member of CCA, you will be demonstrating your support for the work of the organisation and strengthening its voice as a body that represents carers. Full Members are also entitled to vote at the AGM. The current annual subscription fee is ยฃ5 for full or associate membership.ย  If you would like to become a member, please contact us on 01324 611510 (option 1) or via email: centre@centralcarers.co.uk.ย 

Meeting Details:ย 

  • 📅 Wednesday 10 June
  • ⏰ From 10.00 am
  • 📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or email us for the Zoom link

Contact Details:

  • 📧 centre@centralcarers.co.uk
  • ☎️ 01324 611510

 

invitation to meeting about carer benefits by Social Security Scotland and the recent changes to these benefits

Social Security Scotland: Carer Benefits

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Changes to Carer Benefits in Scotland

Join to learn about carer benefits, eligibility criteria, and recent changes that may impact you.

Are you aware that the Scottish Government has introduced some changes to carer benefits with the aim of ensuring better support for those eligible?

We would like to invite you to a meeting with Social Security Scotland, the Executive Agency of the Scottish Government responsible for managing the benefits devolved to Scotland.

We will welcome Claire Lister, Partnership and Events Manager from Social Security Scotland,ย on Tuesday 9 June from 10 am to 12 noon. As part of Carers Week, the meeting will take place in the Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street, however, if you cannot attend in person, you are welcome to join via Zoom.

Join us to learnย more about these recent changes, the benefits Social Security Scotland deliver as well as the eligibility criteria. There will be an opportunity to ask your questions.

Please register by 1 pm on Friday 5 June; however,ย if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Tuesday 9 June 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
save the date 8-14 June this year's carers week with the theme building carer friendly communities

Carers Week 2026 – Save the date

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Carers Week 2026 is approaching fast!

Will you be joining us?

Carers Week is a yearly campaign that aims:

  • to raise awareness about caring and who unpaid carers are
  • to raise awareness of and recognise the challenges unpaid carers face
  • to acknowledge the immense contributions unpaid carers make to our society
  • and to celebrate the vital role unpaid carers play in our communities

The theme for Carers Week 2026, “Building Carer Friendly Communities”, highlights what an important role communities play in ensuring carers get the opportunities and support they need.

Why do we need carer friendly communities?

Unpaid carers often get overlooked, undervalued or are unsupported. Yet, they are the backbone of our communities facing challenges affecting many aspects of their life including but not limited to their physical or mental health, education, relationships, careers, to name a few. Carer friendly communities have the power to turn understanding into action and make support a daily constant in carers’ lives. Even the smallest contribution can make a great impact on carers’ lives.ย 

Carer friendly communitiesย 

  • recognise who unpaid carers are and the vital role they have in our society
  • understand the impact of caring and what it entails
  • take action to identify and support carers in different ways
  • empower carers to lead fulfilling lives

As a result, unpaid carers can have fairer support and opportunities, living a better life.ย 

At Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre we believe that carers deserve to be recognised for the difficulties they face, respected for their efforts, informed about their rights and options, and supported to continue caring safely. Throughout the week, we will be raising awareness and encouraging communities to take practical and meaningful steps to create positive change.

We will also be celebrating carers with our Carers Week Programme, which will be released very soon. Watch this space!ย 

photo of Sunday National article about Bami, a Falkirk carer who is also a Carer Representative

Falkirk Carer featuring in Sunday National

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How a carers centre changed my life forever

A mumโ€™s journey from struggle to supportโ€”and why carers must be recognised

Bamidele Bamgbopa shares her powerful personal story of caring for her son, from the early challenges of navigating health systems to finding vital support after moving to Scotland. In this honest and moving piece, she reflects on the realities many carers faceโ€”including isolation, stigma, and lack of awarenessโ€”and how connecting with the Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre became a turning point for her.

👉 Read the full story here to discover how support, understanding, and recognition can transform a carerโ€™s journey. The PDF can be zoomed in for easier reading.ย 

invitation to consultation about the new Integrated Discharge Service

Consultation: New Integrated Discharge Service

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A new Integrated Discharge Service is being developed at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, led by Falkirk HSCP.ย 

Join us to share your views to help shape this new service.ย 

Claire Chapman, Homefirst Manager, and Daniel Stoddart, Care at Home and Review Lead, who both work for the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), will be joining us.

Claire and Daniel would value your views and experiences on how people are supported to leave the hospital and return home. The team aims to make discharge clearer, better coordinated, and more supportive for carers.

A key aim is to involve carers earlier, have clearer conversations about what support is realistic, ensure carers feel listened to, and make sure carers know who to contact whilst they are using these services.

The Care at Home service is also being redesigned. Daniel will be seeking your views on the possible changes to the service.

This is a great opportunity to be involved in helping shape these new services. Please join us to share your views.

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 26 May; however,ย if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 28 May 2026
⏰ From 1 pm to 3 pm
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
invitation to a discussion about vaccines

Discussion about vaccines

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Join this informative session about vaccines!

Don’t forget to bring your questions along!

We will welcome Laura Wilson, the head of the seasonal vaccines strategy for the Scottish Government, who will talk about the Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines and answer any questions you may have about these.

Please register by 1 pm on Monday 18 May; however,ย if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 21 May 2026
⏰ From 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom