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

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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
invitation to session on 25th March by NHS24 about their services, lady holding a phone

Take Some Breathing Space Information Session

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Learn about Breathing Space and other mental health services available to you.

Join us as we welcome Lisa-Jane Dock from NHS24.

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone line and webchat service for anyone aged 16+ in Scotland who is experiencing low mood, anxiety, depression, or emotional distress. It provides a safe and supportive listening service, information, and signposting to further help.

Lisa-Jane will provide a practical, accessible overview, she will:

  • Introduce the suite of mental health services provided at NHS 24
  • Explain the purpose of their phone and webchat services
  • Identify who can use the service, and when it may be of use
  • Provide insight into other mental health support services available to you

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire
📅 Wednesday 25 March
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
📝 Register here by 6 pm on Monday 23 March
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
invitation to autims and neurodiversity training on 24th march, showing a man and a child playing

Training: Autism and Neurodiversity Overview

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Join us as we welcome Richard Ibbotson from The Autism Network to the Centre.

With a long background in development and management of autism services, he has led teams to deliver successful supports across all ages, levels of needs and situations.

Aims of the training:

  • Increase understanding of autism and neurodiversity
  • Understand the impact of sensory experiences and differences
  • Challenge some common myths and misconceptions
  • Consider the language used around autism and neurodiversity
  • Understand the diagnosis and its impact
  • Learn about how a neurodiverse brain might work differently
  • Consider the ‘Autism advantage’
  • To use this learning to understand ‘complex needs’ and challenging behaviours
  • Consider access to future support, including advocacy

The emphasis throughout will be on practical understanding rather than prescriptive solutions, recognising that small changes can make meaningful differences.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire
📅 Tuesday 24 March
⏰ From 10.30 pm to 12.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
📝 Register here by 11 pm on Sunday 22 March
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
invitation to training about understanding drug & alcohol use

Training: Understanding Drug and Alcohol use

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Transform Forth Valley will be joining us for an informative and supportive session.

It is designed for carers of someone affected by drug or alcohol use; whether currently or in the past. Those interested in learning more as a preventative approach are also welcome to join.

Norry and Steph from Transform Forth Valley will cover:

  • Understanding what addiction is
  • Identifying and talking about paraphernalia
  • How addiction really impacts the lives of individuals and families
  • Naloxone awareness

We will also discuss how to best support someone experiencing addiction, what services and supports are available locally (both within adult and children’s services) across Forth Valley.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district and Clackmannanshire
📅 Wednesday 18 March
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 2 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
📝 Register here by 6 pm on Monday 16 March
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
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

Carer Essential session is on 4th March from 12.30 to 2 pm

March Carer Essentials

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Carer Essentials are back, and you are invited!

This session is designed to inform and empower unpaid carers in Falkirk & Clackmannanshire so that they can care with confidence.

You’ll learn about:

  • Your rights as an unpaid carer
  • What we do at the Centre and how we can help
  • What other local services and support are available
  • What an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP) is and how you can benefit from it
You’ll also get to meet our teams and have the opportunity to ask your questions!

Ideal for those who:

  • are new to caring for a relative or friend
  • have registered with the Carers Centre in the last 6 months
  • or just would like a refresher of what we do and how we can help

Details:

📅 Wednesday 4 March
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 2 pm
📍 Carers Centre or Zoom
📝 Register here
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
self-advocacy session in the centre for unpaid carers living in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire A diverse group of carers standing together. Carers Scotland logo

Having a Voice – Carer Advocacy

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A self-advocacy session by Carers Scotland

Unpaid carers in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, this session is not to be missed!

This self-advocacy course for carers looks briefly into carers’ rights before exploring effective ways to communicate, prepare, and get the most out of interactions with services and organisations. There’s a chance for carers to ask questions and share experiences throughout.

Spaces are limited, so please make sure to register your interest as soon as possible. The registration form will close at 11 pm on Sunday 15 February.

Details:

📅 Thursday 19 February
⏰ From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre
📝 Register here by 11 pm on Sunday 15 February
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
invite for consultation about hospital discharge and care at home services

Consultation: Hospital Discharge and Care at Home Services

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Falkirk Carers, don’t miss this consultation!

You are invited to take part in an important discussion about Hospital Discharge and Care at Home Services.

Lana Ray, Team Manager – Central Locality, at Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP), is keen to hear directly about your experiences. This is an opportunity to share what matters most to you, highlight what is working well, and help shape improvements for carers and the people you support.

To attend this consultation, please register here by 10 am on Wednesday 11 February.

Meeting details:
📅 Friday 13 February 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom