invitation to a free digital skills course for adult carers

It’s Back! – Free Digital Skills Course for Adult Carers

Get more from technology in everyday life

Gain confidence with digital tools, connect with others, and learn practical skills to help manage your commitments more easily.

We are delighted to welcome Neil McCarroll, Community Learning & Development Support Worker (Adult Learning) from Falkirk Council, who will deliver this practical 6-part training in a relaxed and supportive group setting.

The course will explore digital skills to help you stay connected, organised, informed and safe online. In a welcoming environment, you can develop the confidence to use technology safely and independently, and discover ways to make the most of your time, making it easier to balance all your commitments.

The programme is also a great opportunity to meet others, share experiences and discover useful digital tools at your own pace.

Topics may include:
โ€ข Using computers, smartphones & tablets with confidence
โ€ข Staying safe online and protecting personal information
โ€ข Shopping online safely and finding good deals
โ€ข Managing appointments, reminders and calendars
โ€ข Ordering repeat prescriptions and accessing services
โ€ข Recognising scams, fraud and misleading information
โ€ข Using email, messaging and video calls to keep in touch

No previous experience is required; equipment will be provided, and support is available every step of the way.

You are welcome to come along to the first session to see if this programme is useful for you, and then decide if you wish to continue with the rest of the block. Please register on the link below.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district, who are registered with the Carers Centre
📅 Thursdays on the following dates: 29th October, 5th November, 12th November (please note thereโ€™s a break between this and the following session), 26th November, 3rd December, 10th December
⏰ From 1 pm to 3 pm
📍 In person only at the Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street
For more information or to register as a carer with the Carers Centre first, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk.
invitation to consultation about the mobile emergency care service

Consultation: Mobile Emergency Care Service

Help Shape the Future of MECS and Telecare Services

Tell us what’s working well, what could be improved, and learn more about the support available through Mobile Emergency Care Service (MECS).

Join us to hear from Lynn Adams, MECS Team Manager, and Rachel McIntyre, Telecare Supervisor, from Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership. They are keen to gather your feedback on current services, learn what is working well, and hear your ideas for future improvements.

Rachel will also demonstrate some of the Telecare supports available and discuss how technology can help people stay safe and independent at home.

Please register by 1 pm on Wednesday 4th November; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Friday 6th November 2026
⏰ From 1 to 3 pm
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or on Zoom
Register for the event here: https://form.jotform.com/CentralCarers/consultation-mecs

invitation to carer essentials in November

November Carer Essentials

Falkirk Carers, you’re invited!

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

Youโ€™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
Youโ€™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:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district, who are registered with the Carers Centre
📅 Wednesday 4th November
⏰ From 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre or Zoom
📝 Register here
For more information or to enquire about future sessions, please email 📧daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk
invitation to october carers' voice

October Falkirk Carers’ Voice

Planning Ahead and Accessing Dementia Support

Learn more about Power of Attorney, Guardianship, and local dementia services at October’s Voice session.

We’ll welcome Sarah Patrick from Caesar & Howie Solicitors and Estate Agents, who will provide guidance on Power of Attorney and Guardianship. We’ll also hear from Shirley MacDonald and Carlynn Baillie from Dollar Park Dementia Services, who will share information about the support and services available for people living with dementia and their families.

Meeting details:
📅 Monday 26th October 2026
⏰ย From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom

Register for the event here by 1 pm on Thursday 22nd October: 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 anxiety and depression awareness session on 29th October from 10.30 am

Anxiety and Depression Awareness

Understanding Anxiety and Depression

Practical guidance, wellbeing strategies, and support to help you recognise and manage anxiety and depression.

We are delighted to welcome Jamie Studders, Staff Nurse from Woodlands Resource Centre, who will provide valuable information and practical guidance on anxiety and depression, helping carers to better understand these common mental health conditions and recognise the signs and symptoms in themselves and others.

Topics Covered
✅ Understanding anxiety and depression
✅ Raising awareness and reducing stigma
✅ Recognising signs and symptoms
✅ Practical tips and strategies for managing mental wellbeing
✅ Sources of support and further information

Whether you are supporting someone living with anxiety or depression or simply want to learn more about mental health and wellbeing, this session offers a welcoming space to gain knowledge, ask questions, and build confidence.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district, who are registered with the Carers Centre
📅 Thursday 29th October
⏰ From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or on Zoom
For more information or to register as a carer with the Carers Centre first, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk.
consultation with NHS Forth Valley on 12th March from 10 am in the Carers Centre

Consultation: NHS Forth Valley

Falkirk Carers, you’re invited!ย 

Share your views and experiences to help shape NHS services.

Karen Goudie, Executive Nurse Director, and Ross McGuffie, Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley, will be joining us. This is a great opportunity to speak with Ross and Karen about NHS services. Past sessions have discussed the accident and emergency area, recognition of carers within NHS settings, and hospital discharge processes. We shall continue these discussions on the day, and you can raise your concerns about NHS Forth Valley.

The minutes of the previous meetings can be found here.

Please register by 1 pm on Friday 16th October; however,ย if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Tuesday 20th October 2026
⏰ From 1 pm to 3 pm
📍 In person at the Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or on Zoom
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 – October

Our new programme has now been released!

Come along to enjoy some relaxing chair yoga, combined with some breathing exercises, or learn about Sensory Changes in dementia patients.

Tuesday 6th, 13th and 20th October 2026: Chair Yoga

Anne Millard from AM Wellbeing will be joining us in October to provide 3 sessions of chair yoga. Caring for someone can impact a person’s physical health and emotional wellbeing. Chair yoga is an ideal way to gently move the body to help increase flexibility, mobility and wellbeing. The sessions are suitable for everyone and will include some simple breathing techniques, relaxation and mindfulness practices. You can join these sessions in person or online on Zoom.

Tuesday 27 October 2026: Dementia – Sensory Changes Part 1

It is important to learn the common signs of sensory changes for those with dementia and how this can affect their daily life. We are looking at this over two sessions. In this session, we will consider how changes to taste and smell, position sense, and balance can have an impact on the way your loved one may experience the world.

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

To register for any of the sessions above, please click here.

For more information, please contact your Training Co-ordinator:

👩ย  Carly Crooks – Working hours: Monday โ€“ Thursday
📱 07563 391108
📧 carlycrooks@centralcarers.co.uk
imagery to describe the post is about minutes for any consultation that took place with Falkirk carers in 2026.

Minutes for consultations with Falkirk Carers

Here you can find all the minutes for consultations with Falkirk carers that took place in 2026.

These meetings provide a great opportunity for carers to meet with other carers, representatives from local authorities, and other third sector organisations. Carers can share their views and experiences to help shape local and national carer support, and learn about useful services, as well as important updates that may impact their caring role. For minutes from the monthly Carers’ Voice meetings, please go to our Publications page.

If you’d like to join upcoming carer consultations, please email Sharlene Ramage, Carer Participation Development Worker, sharleneramage@centralcarers.co.uk.

Date Guest Organisation Topic Link to minutes Progress Updates
17.09.26 NHS Forth Valley Dementia: Updates and Improvement to Services in Forth Valley Minutes Minutes of previous sessions in this series can be found below
20.08.26 NHS Forth Valley NHS Forth Valley’s Strategic Plan Minutes
20.08.26 Expected Guest Speaker was Primary Care Mental Health Team Leader from Falkirk Community Hospital Services, Support, and hearing carers’ experiences and views Minutes
06.08.26 Hourglass Services and Support for older people experiencing abuse Minutes
31.07.26 University of the West of Scotland Research – Behind the Scenes: Understanding the role of unpaid carers looking after people affected by alcohol and other drug use Minutes
23.07.26 NHS Forth Valley Dementia: Post diagnostic support resources Minutes Minutes of previous sessions in this series can be found below
18.06.26 NHS Forth Valley, with Chief Executive Improvements to Hospital Services Minutes
09.06.26 Social Security Scotland Benefits Minutes
01.06.26 Woodlands Resource Centre (NHS The Bungalows) Mental Health Services for those aged 18-65 Minutes
28.05.26 Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership Changes to Integrated Discharge and Care at Home Services Minutes
21.05.26 Scottish Government and NHS Forth Valley Vaccines: Flu, Covid, RSV Minutes
14.05.26 NHS Forth Valley Dementia: Sensory Changes Minutes Minutes of previous sessions in this series can be found below
07.05.26 University of Stirling Nursing Programme Minutes
24.04.26 Falkirk Councilโ€™s Children with Disabilities Social Work Team Services and Support Minutes
12.03.26 NHS Forth Valley, with Chief Executive Discharge Process & Medication Minutes
05.03.26 No guest CONSOLIDATE Network Research Minutes CONSOLIDATE Research Report – July 2026
13.02.26 Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership Hospital Discharge & Care at Home Services Minutes

 

invitation to help with transitions drop in cafe taking place in May

October Drop-in Cafe: Help with Transitions

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 Maguire (formerly known as Douglas), Transitions Coordinator for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), is hosting monthly ‘Drop-in Cafรฉs’ 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.ย 

✅ Ask questions about support available
✅ Learn how young people are supported in their transitions beyond school

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district, who are registered with the Carers Centre
📅 Thursday 16th October
🕒 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.ย 

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:

  • 12 November
  • 10 December
showing a picture of Dayna the host to our new podcast series

New Podcast Alert!

Respitality Explained: Supporting Unpaid Carers Through Meaningful Breaks

Learn how unpaid carers can access opportunities to rest, recharge and reconnect with insights from Kerry Sloan, Shared Care Scotland.

We’re excited to launch the very first episode in our brand-new podcast series!
For our debut episode, we’re shining a spotlight on Respitality โ€“ an innovative programme offering unpaid carers the chance to enjoy a well-deserved break, thanks to generous hospitality providers across the country.
Join us as we chat with Kerry Sloan, Respitality Manager at Shared Care Scotland, who explains:
✨ What Respitality is and how it works
✨ Who can access it
✨ How to make the most of these amazing opportunities
Whether you’re a carer looking for a break, a professional supporting carers, or simply curious to learn more, this is the perfect place to start. Tune in and discover how Respitality is helping carers recharge, relax, and reconnect.