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, 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 learn 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, 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
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. 

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

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, 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, 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
Invitation to dementia presentation about sensory changes.

Dementia – Sensory Changes Presentation

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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 consultation with the University of Stirling

Consultation with University of Stirling

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

Consultation: Children with Disabilities Team

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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 right to a break consultation by the Scottish Government.

Consultation: Right to a Break

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The Right to a Break Consultation is now open.

Help shape the right that supports you and your caring situation best!

The Scottish Government have launched a 12–week consultation on the new right to a break, seeking views on proposed options for implementation of this right.

This consultation provides an important opportunity for the right to a break to be shaped by the unpaid carers it aims to support, and the organisations that will help deliver this right.

While the right to a break has the potential to be transformative, planning and delivery must recognise the current challenges unpaid carers and services face. The time for effective and meaningful change to short breaks is now.

You can find out more information about this consultation and have your say by clicking here.

dementia research consultation on 5th March from 10am

Consultation: Dementia Research – CONSOLIDATE Network

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Take part in this dementia research to help shape future research and innovation in dementia care.

Those caring for someone with dementia and living in Falkirk are invited to this consultation. 

Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and Age Scotland, is leading a three-year research initiative called CONSOLIDATE Network. The research explores how technology can support independence for people living with dementia. They would like to understand the lived experiences, hopes, and challenges of people living with dementia and their unpaid carers. Your insights will be invaluable in helping shape future research and innovation in dementia care. You can find more information about this research here.

If you are interested in attending, I would appreciate it if you could complete and, if possible, return the attached consent form to Sharlene Ramage by email before the session, or bring it along with you. Should you not be able to do so, Sharlene will have some spare forms on the day for you to fill out. You can access the participant consent form here.

Please register by 2 pm on Tuesday 3 March; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 5 March 2025
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
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! 

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 about various topics, such as how carers are being recognised within NHS establishments, prescriptions, and carers’ involvement in the hospital discharge process, and much more.

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 10 March; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 12 March 2025
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
online survey for adult learning opportunities - closes on 13th March

Online Survey: Free Adult Learning Opportunities

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We are exploring interest in free Adult Learning groups for carers in Falkirk.

We would really value your input!

Falkirk Council’s Adult Learning Team is considering offering small, friendly groups to support carers who would like to build confidence in areas such as reading, writing, numbers, or digital skills. These groups would be relaxed, supportive, and tailored to what learners want – whether that’s helping with everyday tasks, supporting children with homework, gaining skills for work, or simply feeling more confident.

By filling in this short and anonymous survey by Friday 13 March, you are helping us understand what would be useful for carers.

You’ll find more information about the types of support the Adult Learning Team can offer here.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your views. Your feedback helps shape our services and make a difference for carers.

Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/e/SE0SzfHQUe

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Training Co-ordinator Dayna Faulds – daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk