invitation to Falkirk Carers' Voice on 27th April

April Falkirk Carers’ Voice

Posted by Admin on

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

Posted by Admin on

Falkirk Parent Carers, you’re invited! 

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

Posted by Admin on

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

Posted by Admin on

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

 

invitation to a training session about financial well-being on 8th April from 12.30pm

Introduction to Financial Well-being

Posted by Admin on

Learn about strategies that can help improve your finances.

Join us as we welcome Rebecca Ketterer-Young, Senior Financial Well-being Officer, from Money Advice Scotland.

Rebecca will be hosting an interactive virtual financial well-being session. Time will be given for Q&A. This course examines the essential elements of financial well-being and explores the challenges and barriers that prevent many individuals from achieving it.

Topics include:

  • The lasting impact of the cost-of-living crisis
  • Digital Exclusion, poverty, and domestic abuse.
  • Practical strategies to overcome barriers and enhance financial well-being.

The session will provide you with valuable insights into the link between financial well-being and overall well-being.

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire who are registered with the Carers Centre. As an adult carer, you can register here.
📅 Wednesday 8 April
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
📍 This session is fully remote and will take place on Zoom. If you are unable to access Zoom for any reason, you are welcome to join us in the Centre’s activities room, where you’ll be able to watch the training on our screen with other carers.
📝 Register here for the training by 6 pm on Monday 6 April
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
invitation to right to a break consultation by the Scottish Government.

Consultation: Right to a Break

Posted by Admin on
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.

care with confidence programme header showing an older gentleman and woman with their daughter and giving information about the sessions (Tuesdays from 10.30 am for Falkirk and Clackmannanshire carers)

Care with Confidence Programme – March to April

Posted by Admin on

Our new programme has now been released!

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

Tuesday 31 March 2026: Dementia – Behaviours: Hints & Tips

Changes in behaviour can be one of the most difficult aspects of living with dementia. It’s important to see beyond the behaviour itself and think about what may be causing it. There may be specific reasons why the person with dementia is behaving differently. Come along to learn more about what you can do to help.

Tuesday 07 April 2026: Home Fire Safety

Find out if you are eligible for a Home Fire Safety Visit for people at the highest risk of experiencing a fire in the home. If yes, then the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service will provide:
• identification of potential fire risks in your home
• information about bedtime routines
• help to create a robust escape plan
• advice and testing of smoke alarms
Come along to find out more.

Tuesday 14 April 2026: Focus Group

We invite you to come along to look back over the subjects covered in the last 10 months and help us plan the future Care with Confidence programs for 2026. To thank you for your feedback, this session will be followed by a light lunch.

You can download the latest CwC programme leaflet from here and the Dementia one from here.

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

👩  Donna Mulder – Working hours: 21 hours per week (Monday – Wednesday)
📱  07824 381280
📧  donnamulder@centralcarers.co.uk

If you are a carer in Clackmannanshire, you are welcome to join these Falkirk sessions either over Zoom or, if you’d like to attend in person, travel may be provided. Please reach out to Donna for more information. 

invitation to drop in cafes providing help with transitions for parents and carers of children aged 14-25 with ASN from the Falkirk area

Drop-in Cafe: Help with Transitions

Posted by Admin on

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 2 April
🕒 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:

  • 7 May
  • 4 June
  • 16 July
  • 6 August
  • 17 September
  • 15 October
  • 12 November
  • 10 December

Information Session for Professionals

Posted by Admin on

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 26 March
⏰ 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 Falkirk carers' voice on 23rd of March from 10 am

March Falkirk Carers’ Voice

Posted by Admin on

Falkirk Carers, it’s time to register!

Come along to learn about local services!

Join us at the next Falkirk Carers’ Voice for unpaid carers living in the Falkirk district. We will welcome Jack Ryan, CEO of Forth Valley Advocacy Services, who will tell us all about the services that they provide, and Julie Hayward from Bailliefields Community Hub, who will talk about their groups and activities that may help you in your caring role!

Meeting details:
📅 Monday 23 March 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here by 1pm on Wednesday 18 March: 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/