invitation to a training session about stress management and self-care strategies

Managing Stress and Looking After Yourself

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Building resilience through stress management and self-care

Gain valuable insights and learn effective techniques

We are delighted to welcome Gwenne McIntosh, Head of Health Sciences, NHS Lothian, who will share valuable insights into stress management and self-care. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from an experienced healthcare professional and leave feeling equipped with useful tools to help you look after yourself and manage life’s challenges more effectively.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district, who are registered with the Carers Centre
📅 Thursday 27 August
⏰ From 10.30 pm to 12.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
For more information or to register as a carer with the Carers Centre first, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk.
invitation to conversation with primary care mental health team leader from falkirk community hospital

Conversation with the Primary Care Mental Health Team Leader from Falkirk Community Hospital

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Have Your Say on Mental Health Services in Falkirk!

Join a discussion with Falkirk Community Hospital’s Primary Care Mental Health Team Leader

We are pleased to welcome Kara Connor, Primary Care Mental Health Team Leader at Falkirk Community Hospital, who is keen to hear your views and experiences of local mental health services. Kara will also provide information about the support available through the Primary Care Mental Health Team and explain how people can access these services.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district, who are registered with the Carers Centre
📅 Thursday 20 August 2026
⏰ From 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm
📍 In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or via Zoom
Register for the event here.
invitation to respite review by FHSCP

Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership: Respite Review

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Falkirk carers, you’re invited

Join us to learn more about the upcoming changes to respite, and have your say!

We will welcome Gordon MacKenzie, Localities Service Lead for Falkirkโ€™s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), who let us know more about changes and updates that are being made regarding the upcoming respite review.

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 11 August; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Thursday 13 August 2026
⏰ From 1 pm to 3 pm
📍 In person only at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or via Zoom
Register for the event here.
invitation to complete national survey about new employment rights for unpaid carers

Government Consultation on Employment Rights for Unpaid Carers

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Have Your Say on Employment Rights for Unpaid Carers

Share your experience and help shape future support for working carers

The Government has launched a new consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers. This is a significant opportunity to influence future support for the millions of unpaid carers who are juggling paid employment with their caring responsibilities.
Carers UK has long called for stronger rights for working carers, and this consultation provides a crucial chance to make the case for change. Importantly, this includes the introduction of a new statutory right to paid Carerโ€™s Leave amongst others.

Through the consultation, the Government is keen to hear from both individuals and employers. Personal experiences can make a real difference in helping policymakers understand the challenges of trying to balance paid work and care.

The consultation closes on Tuesday 1 September 2026. You can find out more about the consultation here, including other ways to submit your response (email or post).

If you have any questions about the consultation, please do not hesitate to contact policy@carersuk.org.

Complete the consultation here.

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

August 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 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 6 August
🕒 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:

  • 17 September
  • 15 October
  • 12 November
  • 10 December
invitation to burnout session

Understanding and Managing Burnout

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Recognising and Preventing Burnout

Join us for a practical session on spotting the signs of burnout, protecting your wellbeing, and sustaining your caring role.

Many carers experience burnout at some point, and recognising it early can make a real difference to your wellbeing and the support you provide. Join us at the Carers Centre for an informative and supportive session with Emma Butchard-MacDonald, Senior Principal Clinical Psychologist from NHS Forth Valley.

Emma will explore:
โ€ข How to recognise the signs of burnout in yourself
โ€ข How burnout can also affect the person you care for
โ€ข Practical tips and strategies to manage and prevent burnout
โ€ข Ways to look after your own emotional and mental wellbeing

This session is designed to help you feel more confident in spotting the early warning signs and give you tools to support both yourself and your caring role.

Details:

🙋For unpaid carers in the Falkirk district, who are registered with the Carers Centre
📅 Monday 17 August
⏰ From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or Zoom
For more information or to register as a carer with the Carers Centre first, please email 📧 daynafaulds@centralcarers.co.uk.
invitation to discussion with hourglass

A conversation with Hourglass Scotland

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Supporting older people in our communities

Join the conversation to share your experiences to help promote safer ageing across Scotland.

We will welcome Colin Scott, Community Response Co-ordinator from Hourglass, a charity dedicated to preventing harm, abuse and exploitation of older people across the UK. With more than 25 yearsโ€™ experience and expertise, Hourglassโ€™ mission is to listen, advise and support vulnerable older people and all those affected throughout the UK.

In Scotland, Hourglass also campaign for policy and legislative change to improve protections for older people, working with the Scottish Government and other partners to promote safer ageing and reduce abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

Colin will talk about the services and supports they provide to protect older people. Every Falkirk unpaid carer is welcome to attend. Regardless of your age or caring role, your insights, experiences, and views can help create a richer and more meaningful discussion for everyone.ย 

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

Details:
📅 Thursday 6 August 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person only at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre or via Zoom
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.ย 

How does your business benefit?

Brand and marketing benefits

  • Improved public relations:ย 

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

  • Customer attraction:ย 

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

  • Brand storytelling:ย 

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

Employee and community benefits

  • Higher employee morale:ย 

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

  • Stronger community relations:ย 

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

What can you donate?

  1. Restaurants:

By donating, youโ€™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 โ€˜Carers Tableโ€™ 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 cafรฉ 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 โ€˜Carer Wellness Dayโ€™ 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 โ€˜carer chairโ€™ โ€“ 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 โ€˜carer family slotโ€™
  • Run special carer days/events
  • Donate experiences (escape rooms, adventure parks, museums, zoos)

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

What you get in return from us:

Partner with us and weโ€™ll spotlight your business that gives back to carers.

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

Join 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

 

invitation to information session for those working in the Falkirk district

Information Session for Professionals

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Would you recognise an unpaid carer?

Come along to network and learn about what we do, how you can identify and signpost unpaid carers for support!

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 30 July
⏰ย From 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
📍 Carers Centre, 1a Bank Street or via Zoom

Register for the event here!ย 

⁉️ ย 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 with the University of the West of Scotland

Consultation with the University of the West of Scotland

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Unpaid Carers Research Focus Group

Join us to discuss findings and influence future support and policy.ย 

If you care for someone affected by alcohol and/or drug use, this research may be of interest to you. April Shaw and Greig Inglis, lecturers from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), will be joining us to present their initial findings from the research titled โ€˜Behind the Scenes: Understanding the role of unpaid carers looking after people affected by alcohol and other drug use.โ€™

They will be seeking your insights on whether the presented findings accurately reflect peopleโ€™s experiences and whether thereโ€™s anything missing from this research.

More information about the research:

Carers Trust, Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have carried out interviews with people who provide unpaid care to someone affected by alcohol and/or drug use. The primary aims of this work are to:
1. Understand the lived experiences of carers who care for a person with substance use problems in Scotland.
2. Inform the development of supports and interventions as well as local and national policy and practice.

The recommendations are aimed at local and national policy makers and organisations involved in developing and delivering services to carers (paid/unpaid) and/or to people affected by drug/alcohol use.

The work is funded by Oxfam and UWS. Notes will be taken during the discussion, but no personal information will be recorded. If you would like more information, contact april.shaw@uws.ac.uk or greig.inglis@uws.ac.uk.

Please register by 1 pm on Tuesday 28 July; however,ย if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.

Details:
📅 Friday 31 July 2026
⏰ From 10 am to 12 noon
📍 In person only at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre