Carers Card โ€“ COVID-19 update

Since the COVID-19 lockdown began, we have been inundated with requests for Carers Cards. Normally, our personalised credit card style Forth Valley Carers Cards are produced at the Carers Centre and posted out to carers, however, this is no longer an option with staff working from home.

We recognise the benefits that having a Carers Card can bring at this time, and so we have been working hard behind the scenes to develop an alternative to the physical card.

Carers who would like a Carers Card, and who have not had one previously, will now be issued with a digital Carers Card, specifically designed to be used on your phone for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown.

To receive a digital Carers Card, please complete the digital referral form linked below:

Click here to complete referral form

If you have previously had a Forth Valley Carers Card that has now expired, please complete the Contact Us form on our website, and ask to be emailed with a letter that can be used alongside your existing expired card.

If you are working with someone who does not have access to the internet or an email address, please ask them to contact the number below.

For further information, please contact us on 01324 611510 and leave a message, or email centre@centralcarers.co.uk.

 

Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre

Clackmannanshire Carers Act Event on Friday 8 December 2017 at the Municipal Buildings, Stirling

Please join us at the Clackmannanshire Carers Act Event, 10 am to 12 noon or 2 pm to 4 pm with lunch available from 12 noon – 2 pm on Friday 8 December 2017 at the Municipal Buildings, Stirling.

This event is an opportunity to discuss pathways to accessing support, information/advice for carers, eligibility criteria, what works well now, what gaps exist, and consideration of other models of support.

Newsletter, Summer 2017

The Carers Centre newsletter, Summer edition, has been sent out to carers and organisations who are on our mailing list to receive information by post or email. You can also view or download the newsletter by clickingย here.

Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre

Self Directed Support Survey

A Stirling University Masters Student has asked us to share this short survey about Self-Directed Support (SDS) awareness with you, looking at demand for what breaks families/carers/children/young adults would prefer to chose – i.e. residential respite weekend or an adventure based short break.Please help her research by following the attached link.

Better Breaks Outings 2016

Applications are invited for this yearโ€™s Better Breaks Outings for children and young people (up to 20 years) with additional support needs and their families in Falkirk District and Clackmannanshire:

  • Dreamnight at the Zoo โ€“ 19th August 6-9 pm, Edinburgh Zoo
  • Christmas Pantomime- December 2016 (details to be confirmed)

Transport to Dreamnight at the Zoo will be made available to those families who require it or would like to travel with a group, families are also welcome to travel and attend independently.

Further information about Dreamnight at the Zoo can be downloaded below. To request a place for Dreamnight, or to express an interest in attending the Christmas Pantomime (further information will be sent closer to the event), please complete the Better Breaks Application Form available from the Admin Team at the Carers Centre: phone 01324 611510, email to request a form using our contact form, or download an application form here:

Better Breaks Application Form

Dreamnight at the Zoo Information Sheet

The deadline for receipt of completed applications for the Summer outing is Friday 17th June at 5pm. Places cannot be guaranteed and priority will be given to families who have not participated in, or who have participated in fewer, previous Better Breaks outings.

Tickets for Dreamnight have been made available by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and, thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Short Breaks Fund (Better Breaks programme), we are able to offer transport for a limited number of eligible families.

Short Breaks Fund Logo

Short Breaks Funding for Carers

We are pleased to announce that the Creative Breaks fundย re-opened for applications in October 2015, thanks to funding received from the Scottish Governmentโ€™s Short Breaks Fund. Eligible carers, young adult carers and young carers in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire who are caring for an adult can apply to the Carers Centre for grants of up to ยฃ300 for a flexible break of their choice.ย  The fund aims to ensure that :

  • Carers and those they care for will have improved physical and emotional wellbeing
  • Carers will feel more able to continue caring
  • Carers will have more opportunities to enjoy a life outside their caring role

Previous grants have been used for short breaks away, pampering session, cinema passes, gym membership and have included requests for more unusual activities such as gold panning!

Funding from the Integrated Care Fund in Falkirk has also allowed us to increase the amount available for grants which improve the health and wellbeing of carers of all ages in Falkirk.

As funds are limited, carers who have previously received a Creative Breaks grant will only be considered for a second grant if certain priority criteria apply and no more than two awards can be given in total.

For further information, or to make an application to the Creative Breaks Fund, contact the Carers Centre. ย You can also download our Creative Breaks leaflet here:

Creative Breaks Leaflet 2015-16