invitation to the voice on Monday 25 May

May Falkirk Carers’ Voice

Falkirk Carers, you’re invited!

Learn about the Pharmacy First service and SFAD’s groups and activities that could help you in your caring role.

We will welcome Hollie Houghton from NHS Forth Valley, who will explain the Pharmacy First service and how this is beneficial to you. Rachael Scott from Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD) will also be joining us to talk about their groups and activities that could help you in your caring role. 

Meeting details:
📅 Monday 25 May 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 21 May: 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 information session for those working in the Falkirk district

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 28 May
⏰ 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 consultation about the new Integrated Discharge Service

Consultation: New Integrated Discharge Service

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 presentation about ASN and communication needs

ASN – Sensory and Communication Needs Overview

Join us for an engaging session!

Gain practical insights into the sensory and communication needs of children with ASN.

We will welcome Alice Grant from Falkirk Council’s Children’s Services. Although Alice specialises in supporting children with additional support needs, the insights she’ll share are relevant and useful for people of all ages, making this session ideal for any carer.

What to Expect

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

  • sensory needs
  • distressed behaviours
  • regulation & stimming
  • model of child engagement

Details:

🙋For unpaid parent carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire
📅 Wednesday 27 May
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
📝 Register here by 6 pm on Monday 25 May
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
invitation to a discussion about vaccines

Discussion about vaccines

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 training about suicide and prevention

Training: Suicide Awareness and Prevention

An informative session on suicide awareness and suicide prevention.

Join us to learn practical ways to support others. 

This session, led by Fiona Bartley, Senior Health Improvement Officer from NHS Forth Valley, 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.

The training is open to unpaid carers residing in the Falkirk district and in Clackmannanshire. 

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire, who are registered with the Carers Centre. 
📅 Thursday 21 May
⏰ From 11.00 am to 12.30 pm
📍 In person only at the Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street
📝 Register here by 5 pm on Tuesday 19 May
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.
dementia programme header showing an older lady with her daughter and giving information about the sessions (last Tuesdays of the month from 10.30 am for Falkirk and Clackmannanshire carers)

Dementia Information Sessions – April to June

Our new Dementia programme is out!

Come along to learn about topics that can help you care for someone with dementia.

Tuesday 28 April 2026: Dementia – Brain Health

Come along to find out about the research called OMNI “Oral Microbiome & Nitrates” for Brain Health, which is being used to try and help improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease. We will look at Nitric Oxide, which is a molecule in our bodies that helps keep our cardiovascular system healthy, and the oral microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms – mostly bacteria- living in the mouth. Come along to find out more about these topics and what the science says you can do to improve them.

Tuesday 26 May 2026: Dementia – Sundowning & Shadowing

You may notice that the person you care for becomes more confused and/or agitated in the late afternoon and evening. This is known as “Sundowning”. Learn about the steps you can take to help reduce sundowning, for their benefit as well as your own. Shadowing is a form of behaviour in which a person with dementia follows their caregiver around. Find out how to manage this behaviour by gaining an understanding of why this occurs.

Tuesday 30 June 2026: Dementia & Friends

Whether it is visiting others with the person you care for, or friends visiting you and your loved one at home, there are many things to consider in making these visits more pleasant and relaxed. Join us for this informative session, where you will gain a better understanding of this condition and increase your confidence about visiting or receiving visitors when caring for someone with dementia.

You can download the programme leaflet from hereYou may also be interested in other Care with Confidence sessions, which you can find 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. 
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 – April to May

Our new programme has now been released!

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

Tuesday 28 April 2026: Dementia – Brain Health

Come along to find out about the research called OMNI “Oral Microbiome & Nitrates” for Brain Health, which is being used to try and help improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease. We will look at Nitric Oxide, which is a molecule in our bodies that helps keep our cardiovascular system healthy, and the oral microbiome, which is the community of microorganisms – mostly bacteria- living in the mouth. Come along to find out more about these topics and what the science says you can do to improve them.

Tuesday 05 May 2026: Forth Valley – Sensory Loss Advice Service

We will welcome the team from the Forth Valley Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Sensory Loss Advice Service (SLAS). SLAS is an innovative approach that extends and increases CAB’s ability to inclusively support people with sensory loss across Forth Valley. They help people with sensory difficulties access advice, information, support and representation in relation to benefits, debt, employment, consumer issues, energy, and housing issues. Come along to find out more.

Tuesday 12 May 2026: Canine Partners

Ever wondered how a playful puppy becomes a life-changing assistance dog? Learn how Canine Partners train and carefully match their dogs with disabled people. Learn about the specialist skills these assistance dogs develop, their partnership journey, and the lifelong support provided to ensure each partnership thrives. Come along to find out more.

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 mental health session about coping strategies and support by FDAMH

Mental Health: Coping Strategies

Mental Health Awareness Session with FDAMH

Learning about support, coping strategies and mental well‑being.

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

What to expect:

  • 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 – effective tools you can use day-to-day
  • Q&A Time – ask questions, share experiences, and chat in a safe space.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire, who are registered with the Carers Centre. 
📅 Thursday 7 May
⏰ From 12 noon to 2 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
📝 Register here by 6 pm on Tuesday 5 May
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
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