Christmas-themed image showing closure times

Festive Opening Hours and Support Services

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Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre will be closed from Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. The Carers Centre in Falkirk will close on Tuesday 23 December; however, our phone lines will remain open on Wednesday 24 December. Details of local support and emergency services are available below:

  • If you need an urgent Social Work service outwith normal office hours, you can contact:
    • Clackmannanshire Emergency Social Work on 01786 470500
    • Falkirk Emergency Social Work on 01786 470500
  • For information about local health services which are available, such as GPs and Pharmacies, please visit NHS Forth Valley – Know Who To Turn To When You Are Ill.
  • There is a Minor Injuries Unit for anyone living in NHS Forth Valley. Contact NHS 24 on 111, day or night, before attending the Minor Injuries Unit, or visit Minor Injuries Unit.
  • For an A-Z of health services, you can go to NHS Forth Valley – Local Services Finder.
  • Our friends at CVS Falkirk have also put together a Wellness in Winter page on their website with lots of useful information and links – CVS Falkirk – Wellness in Winter 2025/26
  • Whatever you’re going through, Samaritan’s will face it with you! They’re there for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – call for FREE on 116123.

Finally, the staff and Board of the Carers Centre wish carers a peaceful, healthy and safe festive season, and we look forward to continuing to offer support in 2026.

Invitation to Dementia Consultation

Consultation: Dementia – Services and Support

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We are inviting Falkirk carers who care for someone with a dementia diagnosis to this consultation.

We would encourage you to join even if you haven’t attended the previous consultations, as your valuable insights can help shape dementia support.

Yvonne Cairns, NHS Forth Valley Dementia and Delirium Lead, and Emma Douglas, leader of the Community Mental Health Team for Older Adult Services, will be joining us again and are continuing to gather your views and experiences related to dementia services and support. The specific topic for this session will be confirmed later. During the session, Yvonne will also share top tips, and any progress that has been made to the services, thanks to carers having shared their experiences last time.

Please register by 2 pm on Tuesday 13 January; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 15 January 2025
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
Celebratory image about Brucefield Estate being a Respitality Donor

Respitality Donor Spotlight: Brucefield Estate

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Celebrating 3 Years of Support from Brucefield Estate!

For three incredible years, Brucefield Estate has been part of the Respitality initiative, donating 2-night stays to unpaid carers, allowing them to take a break from their caring role.

Their continued generosity makes a real difference, and we would like to express our gratitude by celebrating them on this very day, when they joined the initiative in 2022.

Who is Brucefield Estate?

Brucefield Estate is a luxury ecotourism destination located near Forestmill in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, about an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow. It offers Scandinavian-inspired eco-cabins set within a historic 1,000-acre woodland estate, blending modern comfort with heritage.

The estate is deeply committed to sustainability, operating under a 10-year ecological management plan that protects habitats for species like red squirrels, pine martens, and rare butterflies. Guests can enjoy artisan-crafted cabins, local food hampers, outdoor fireplaces, and guided nature experiences in a wildlife-rich environment.

How did carers benefit?

For carers, Brucefield wasn’t just a break; it was a moment of restoration – a chance to escape, relax, and recharge their batteries.  

Carers felt welcomed with warmth; the owner greeted them personally, showing them how to light the wood burner and leaving thoughtful touches like fresh eggs, homemade jam, and bread.

Carers found the estate a sanctuary, surrounded by nature, and the peace was almost surreal. They spent time walking along quiet paths, curling up with a book—a rare luxury—and simply soaking in the beauty of the scenery. The Schenbothy, with its cozy interior and comfortable bed, felt like a little home away from home.

Read the full case study here.

Are you a local business?

Learn more about Respitality and how you can get involved here.

Are you a carer?

To find out more, please contact our Short Breaks team on 01324 611510 (Option 1) or email shortbreaks@centralcarers.co.uk

Respitality logo

Respitality Initiative

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Local businesses are making a difference in Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.

Support carers in your community by doing what you do best and reap the benefits.

What is Respitality?

Respitality is a Scottish Government supported social tourism initiative that creates opportunities for carers to take energising and short breaks from their caring role. While for many of us, making new memories is a natural part of life, without Respitality many carers may not be able to do so. They often don’t get the chance to take a break from their caring role.

As one of the approved delivery partners, we connect carers with local businesses who are willing to donate a break free of charge. This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to practice social responsibility and give back to their communities. 

How does your business benefit?

Brand and marketing benefits

  • Improved public relations: 

Charitable donations will lead to positive media coverage, enhancing a company’s public image. 

  • Customer attraction: 

Some consumers favour businesses that donate to charity. Standing out from the competition may lead to potential new customer acquisition and increased sales. 

  • Brand storytelling: 

Donations provide companies with positive stories to share with customers, employees, and investors, giving you a powerful marketing tool. 

Employee and community benefits

  • Higher employee morale: 

Supporting charitable causes can increase employee pride, leading to higher morale, better retention, and a stronger sense of purpose. 

  • Stronger community relations: 

Supporting local charities builds a stronger, more resilient community, which can, in turn, benefit the business’s own long-term success. 

What can you donate?

  1. Restaurants:

By donating, you’re serving more than food. You will be serving appreciation to those who care for others every single day.

Donation Suggestions:

  • Donate a meal out once per week/once per month for a carer and companion.
  • Create a ‘Carers Table’ special night once per month.
  • Community support for example matching donations/pay it forward for customers.

  1. Cafes:

Give carers some breathing space. Donate a cup of coffee, a cake, or a spot of lunch to someone who tirelessly cares for others.

Donation Suggestions:

  • Donate a set number of free drinks/snacks per month.
  • Offer a pay-if-forward scheme.
  • Coffee for Carers Day once per month (free coffee for any carers accessing the café on a specific day)

  1. Spas

Well-being starts with rest. Help us to support the hidden heroes of unpaid carers in our communities.

Donation Suggestions:

  • Donate a set number of vouchers (all booked by Centre staff) i.e. massages, facials, manicures, mini-treatments, spa access.
  • Host a ‘Carer Wellness Day’ with a taster session
  • Create care boxes with spa products/samples for those carers who cannot leave their cared-for person.

  1. Health & Beauty Providers:

Unpaid carers rarely get time for themselves. Your skills can give them back their confidence and provide a moment that is just for them.

Donation Suggestions:

  • Donate a free treatment slot once per month (haircut, nails, massage, etc.)
  • Create a ‘carer chair’ – one slot per week reserved for a free carer service
  • Offer at-home treatments for carers who cannot travel/leave the cared-for person
  • Provide small self-care kits

  1. Gyms:

Carers give their strength to others every day. Your gym can help them rebuild their own.

Donation Options:

  • Free day passes or week trials
  • Free memberships
  • Reserved spots in classes i.e. yoga, pilates, Zumba, etc.
  • 1:1 PT or wellness consults monthly
  • Online coaching or classes access
  • Challenge members to sponsor carer memberships through donations etc.
  • Host fitness events to raise awareness and funds for memberships etc.

  1. Leisure Activities

Carers give their families everything, but your business can give them the gift of time together.

Donation Options:

  • Donate family passes (cinema, bowling, play centres, trampoline parks)
  • Provide a monthly ‘carer family slot’
  • Run special carer days/events
  • Donate experiences (escape rooms, adventure parks, museums, zoos)

Your business is not on this list, but you’d like to give? Fantastic, we’d love to hear from you! Fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch.

What you get in return from us:

Partner with us and we’ll spotlight your business that gives back to carers.

  • You’ll get tagged in our social media posts (Respitality join date celebration, case studies), thank you shoutouts for free PR etc.
  • You’ll be mentioned in local press releases
  • You’ll receive a certificate and decals to use to showcase your support.
  • You’ll be added to our ‘Wall of Thanks’ on our website

Join the movement today and make a carers day!

To find out more, please fill in this form now, and one of our team will be in touch: https://form.jotform.com/CentralCarers/respitality-business-eoi

 

December Care with Confidence Programme

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Our new programme has now been released!

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

Tuesday 25 November 2025: Dementia – It’s all in your approach

Find out how to avoid some of the arguments and upset when dealing with someone with dementia. Learn how someone with dementia may perceive his/her environment and how you can adapt your behaviour to increase communication and benefit your family member’s quality of life.

Wednesday 03 Decmber 2025: Xmas Muscial Memories from 12 noon to 3 pm 

More information to follow.

There will be no sessions for the rest of December. If you’d like to be informed about the new programme via email, please contact Donna. Otherwise, keep an eye on our latest news page in the coming weeks. 

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

👩  Donna Mulder
📱  07824 381280
📧  donnamulder@centralcarers.co.uk

Information Sessions for Professionals

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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
✅ Hear from our teams
✅ Connect with other professionals
✅ Gain practical insights into the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements, hospital discharge process involving the carer, and more!
Let’s work together to support carers in our community!

Meeting details:

📅 Thursday 27 November 2025
📅 From 2 pm to 4 pm
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event by emailing Dayna: daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk

⁉️  Alternatively, if you can’t make this one and you’d like to be informed about upcoming sessions, please register your interest here.

invitation to falkirk carers voice

Invitation to November Falkirk Carers’ Voice

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Falkirk Carers, you’re invited!

Come along to have your say!

During November’s Voice, we will have guest speakers related to Carers Rights Day. Kerry Storey from Scottish Families Affected by Drugs and Alcohol (SFAD) will join us, along with Falkirk’s Mobile Emergency Care Service (MECS). They’ll share information about the support they offer.

Meeting details:
📅 Monday 24 November 2025
📅 From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here: 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/

Current Vacancies – November 2025

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We have a new exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate with good interpersonal and communication skills to join our team as a Young Adult Carer Support Worker.

Applications for this post will close on Monday 1 December 2025.

Find out more about this role, and what skills and experience are required from the Job Profile document on our VACANCIES page. You can apply by filling in our Application Pack document, or you can use the below link to submit your application!

Carers Rights Day 2025

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 🧡 Empowering Local Carers 

We are inviting unpaid carers from the Falkirk District and Clackmannanshire to a special Carers Rights Day drop-in event, which aims to empower carers with knowledge, support, and connection.

📍 Location: 1A Bank Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NB
🕛 Time: Drop in between 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday 20 November 2025

This year’s national theme, “Know Your Rights, Use Your Rights,” shines a spotlight on the importance of carers understanding their legal entitlements and accessing the support they deserve. With over 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK – many of whom don’t identify as carers – Carers Rights Day is about making sure no one is left behind.

What to Expect on the Day

The Centre will offer a welcoming space where carers can:

  • 💬 Speak directly with the Adult Carers Team and Short Breaks Team
  • 🧠 Test their knowledge at the Interactive “True or False” Rights Wall
  • 📝 Share views through questionnaires and postcards
  • 🎥 Tell their story at the Video Booth, with selected stories featured online (with consent)

The goal is for carers to leave feeling informed, valued, and connected. As Sharlene Ramage, our Carer Participation Development Worker, shared during Carers Week: “Many carers are unaware of the support available to them, or what they’re entitled to. That’s what we’re here to help with.”

Real Stories, Real Impact

The Centre’s work is rooted in the ensuring carers are recognised and supported. Local carers have shared powerful stories of how this support has changed their lives:

  • Fiona, 54, cares for her husband with early-onset dementia. A grant from the Time to Live Fund allowed them to take a short break together, improving their well-being and strengthening their bond.
  • John, who retired early due to health issues while caring for his wife, found renewed purpose through music. With help from the Carers Centre, he received a grant for music therapy sessions, combining his love of singing and guitar with much-needed respite.
  • Young carers have found a safe space at the Carers Centre to balance school and caring responsibilities. One said, “It’s the only place I feel like people understand what I’m going through.”
  • A carer who had never used a computer was supported to get online and now joins regular Zoom sessions. “I didn’t think I could do it, but now I feel connected and less alone.”

Why Carers Rights Day Matters

Carers Rights Day is about more than information – it’s about empowerment. Whether you’re caring for a child with additional needs, a sibling, an elderly relative, or even a neighbour, you have rights, including:

  • The right to request an Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement
  • The right to access support services
  • The right to request flexible working arrangements
Join the Conversation!

No booking is required – just drop in! Whether you’re new to caring or have years of experience, this is your chance to learn, connect, and be recognised.