Care Reform (Scotland) Bill What a break means to carers Carers Rights Day Short Breaks Christmas Prize Draw Carers Christmas Lunches
📍 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.
The Centre will offer a welcoming space where carers can:
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.”
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:
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:
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.
Care Reform Bill overview ‘What a break means to you’ consultation and Short Breaks Q&A Updates from
– your Integration Joint Board Carer Representative– Health & Social Care Partnership, NHS and 3rd Sector– our Carers Centre Any issues or concerns shared by carersMeeting details:
Thursday 13 November 2025
From 10 am to 12 noon
Hawkhill Community Centre, Alloa
Register for the event here: https://form.jotform.com/CentralCarers/clackmannanshire-carers-voice
If you are a professional interested in attending, please contact Nicola on 01324 611510 (option 2) or nicolaweedon@centralcarers.co.uk.
Did you know that you can read the previous meeting minutes on our website? Go to https://centralcarers.org/information/publications/
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. This session will focus on stress and distress, while Yvonne will also share updates 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 Monday 24 November; however, if you require a translator, please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance.
Thursday, 27 November 2025
From 10 am to 12 noon In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre 
Are you worried that you or the person you care for might fall?
Falls can result in injury and adverse longer-term consequences. Come along to hear how environmental assessments, medication reviews, therapy and use of equipment, can prevent falls at home
Landlines are changing and the UK’s telephone network is going digital. By January 2027, the old analogue network will be completely switched off and replaced by new digital landlines which will work using broadband. Come along to find out how this could affect you and any telecare devices you may use, such as personal alarms, pendant alarms, and home care monitoring systems.
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.
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
Beth Allen, Policy Officer at Age Scotland, will be seeking your views about the issue that carers are unable to claim Carer Support Payment (formerly known as Carers Allowance) whilst in receipt of state pension.
Earlier this year, some of you kindly completed some questionnaires regarding this topic. The results have prompted Beth to come to the centre to have a more in-depth conversation with some carers in person because she feels your insights will be invaluable. You are welcome to attend regardless of whether you’ve completed any of the previous questionnaires.
Beth, whose role involves monitoring, analysing and influencing developments in policy which impact people affected by dementia, plans to raise your views and add them to ‘The Big Survey’ carried out by Age Scotland to help achieve meaningful change for Scotland’s carers.
Monday, 10 November 2025 From 10 am to 12 noon In person at the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre 
During October’s Voice, we will welcome Gemma Ritchie from the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership’s Adult Support and Protection team, and Sarah and Josh from Caesar & Howie, who will tell us more about Power of Attorney.
Meeting details:
Monday, 27 September 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/
It is important to learn the common signs of sensory changes for those with dementia and how this can affect their daily life. We will look at this over two sessions. In session one, we will consider how changes to vision, hearing, and touch can have an impact on the way your loved one may experience the world.
Muscular dystrophies are a group of rare conditions that gradually cause muscles to weaken and waste away. A diagnosis can change everything, and there are challenges you’ll face living with a progressive condition. Having the right information and advice can make all the difference. Whether you’ve just received a diagnosis, need some practical information, or just want someone who understands what you’re going through. We can help. Come along to find out more.
This session will outline all respite options available to carers. This includes overnight respite, respite hours at home, breaks where the cared-for person and carer go away together, and information on funding that can be used to purchase items or services that provide carers a break and support them in their caring role. Come along to find out more.
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
David Miller from Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) will be seeking your views about the New Carers Strategy. We will also welcome Lana Ray from FHSCP, who will talk about ‘care at home’ and ‘home care’ services.
Meeting details:
Monday, 22 September 2025
From 10 am to 12 noon
At the Carers Centre in Falkirk or via Zoom
Register for the event here: https://ow.ly/KgbW50WA0jh
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 here https://centralcarers.org/information/publications/
They want to ensure that their plans draw on real-life experiences and are grounded in what matters most to the community. Your insights, as a carer, will be invaluable in highlighting what works and what needs to change
Monday, 1 September 2025 From 10 am to 12 noon Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre, or online via Zoom