invitation to complete national survey about new employment rights for unpaid carers

Government Consultation on Employment Rights for Unpaid Carers

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Have Your Say on Employment Rights for Unpaid Carers

Share your experience and help shape future support for working carers

The Government has launched a new consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers. This is a significant opportunity to influence future support for the millions of unpaid carers who are juggling paid employment with their caring responsibilities.
Carers UK has long called for stronger rights for working carers, and this consultation provides a crucial chance to make the case for change. Importantly, this includes the introduction of a new statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave amongst others.

Through the consultation, the Government is keen to hear from both individuals and employers. Personal experiences can make a real difference in helping policymakers understand the challenges of trying to balance paid work and care.

The consultation closes on Tuesday 1 September 2026. You can find out more about the consultation here, including other ways to submit your response (email or post).

If you have any questions about the consultation, please do not hesitate to contact policy@carersuk.org.

Complete the consultation here.

invitation to discussion with hourglass

A conversation with Hourglass Scotland

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Supporting older people in our communities

Join the conversation to share your experiences to help promote safer ageing across Scotland.

We will welcome Colin Scott, Community Response Co-ordinator from Hourglass, a charity dedicated to preventing harm, abuse and exploitation of older people across the UK. With more than 25 years’ experience and expertise, Hourglass’ mission is to listen, advise and support vulnerable older people and all those affected throughout the UK.

In Scotland, Hourglass also campaign for policy and legislative change to improve protections for older people, working with the Scottish Government and other partners to promote safer ageing and reduce abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

Colin will talk about the services and supports they provide to protect older people. Every Falkirk unpaid carer is welcome to attend. Regardless of your age or caring role, your insights, experiences, and views can help create a richer and more meaningful discussion for everyone.Β 

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 4 August; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 6 August 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person only at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or via Zoom
invitation to consultation with the University of the West of Scotland

Consultation with the University of the West of Scotland

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Unpaid Carers Research Focus Group

Join us to discuss findings and influence future support and policy.Β 

If you care for someone affected by alcohol and/or drug use, this research may be of interest to you. April Shaw and Greig Inglis, lecturers from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), will be joining us to present their initial findings from the research titled β€˜Behind the Scenes: Understanding the role of unpaid carers looking after people affected by alcohol and other drug use.’

They will be seeking your insights on whether the presented findings accurately reflect people’s experiences and whether there’s anything missing from this research.

More information about the research:

Carers Trust, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have carried out interviews with people who provide unpaid care to someone affected by alcohol and/or drug use. The primary aims of this work are to:
1. Understand the lived experiences of carers who care for a person with substance use problems in Scotland.
2. Inform the development of supports and interventions as well as local and national policy and practice.

The recommendations are aimed at local and national policy makers and organisations involved in developing and delivering services to carers (paid/unpaid) and/or to people affected by drug/alcohol use.

The work is funded by Oxfam and UWS. Notes will be taken during the discussion, but no personal information will be recorded. If you would like more information, contact april.shaw@uws.ac.uk or greig.inglis@uws.ac.uk.

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 28 July; however,Β if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Friday 31 July 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person only at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre
Invitation to Dementia Consultation

Consultation: Dementia – Services and Support

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We are inviting Falkirk carers who care for someone with a dementia diagnosis to this consultation.

We would encourage you to join even if you haven’t attended the previous consultations, asΒ your valuable insights can help shape dementia support.

Yvonne Cairns, NHS Forth Valley Dementia and Delirium Lead, and Emma Douglas, leader of the Community Mental Health Team for Older Adult Services, will be joining us again and are continuing to gather your views and experiences related to dementia services and support. The specific topic for this session will be confirmed later. During the session, Yvonne will also talk about how carers’ views and feedback shared in the last few sessions have shaped improvements in the accident and emergency department.

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

Details:
📅 Thursday 23 July 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
falkirk care at home service online survey

Online Survey: Care at Home Service

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The proposed changes may affect you.

Have your say now!

Daniel Stoddart, Care at Home and Review Lead at the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP), is seeking carers’ views about the redesign of Falkirk’s Care and Support at Home Service.

They’re moving Falkirk Council’s Care at Home Team towards a reablement-focused service. To do this, they want to expand the team and change the kind of support they provide.

Their proposal is for an expanded Falkirk Council team that does three things:

Short-term reablement-care: This will be their main focus. They will support people new to the service or those leaving hospital. They will provide temporary support to help people increase their independence. Following this, people would move to a different local care provider for any long-term support, unless they have complex care needs.

Short-term support: The Falkirk Council team will also provide short-term support to help prevent emergency care home placements and hospital admissions.

Care at home: The Falkirk Council team will provide care at home to people who need enhanced support or if their needs cannot be met by other providers. This means most people will receive their ongoing care at home support from other local providers.

If you currently receive care at home from the Falkirk Council team, these changes may affect how your care is provided.

Most care at home will be provided by another local provider. If you need to change provider, you can choose your own or ask Falkirk Council to arrange a provider for you.

All local providers are held to the same standards as Falkirk Council’s own services. If you pay for your care, the cost of care would not change. Falkirk Council’s Social Work Adult Services will still manage your care plan.

You can share your views by completing their survey until Monday 6 July, by clicking here.

Important Service update for carers in Clackmannanshire

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Important Service update for carers in Clackmannanshire

We want to let carers in Clackmannanshire know about an upcoming change. From 1 July 2026. Β Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements, along with ongoing statutory carer support, will transfer to Stirling Carers Centre

We will be writing to Clackmannanshire carers and asking if they would like their information passed over to Stirling Carers Centre. If you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing us at centre@centralcarers.co.uk or by phoning us on 01324 611510.

 

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!Β 

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 foundΒ here.

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 16 June; however,Β 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 DayΒ 
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 communitiesΒ 

  • 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.Β 

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.Β 

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.Β 

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 JuneΒ 

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 requiredΒ 
  • 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 JuneΒ 

Guided Hill Walk with Falkirk OutdoorsΒ 

  • 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.Β 

Consultation with Social Security Scotland regarding Carer Benefits

Wednesday 10 JuneΒ 

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 callingΒ 01324 611510Β or emailingΒ centre@centralcarers.co.ukΒ 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 Β£5.Β 

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.Β 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!Β Β 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 carers’ views, not only personal experience.

When participating in meetings, Carer Representatives contribute to discussions and provide advice and scrutiny from a Carer’s perspective. Where possible, they may add relevant items to meeting agendas and are prepared to raise relevant points and ask questions.Β  If you’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 – A milestone

We’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. Β 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 carers’ views from the Falkirk Carers’ 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 carers’ 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 β€œsandwich generation”. 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 faceβ€”including isolation, stigma, and lack of awarenessβ€”and how connecting with the Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre became a turning point for her. Read the full article here.Β