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Stirling Carers Centre Logo
Carers Connection logo
The graphic depicts representations of a gym, a library, a medical facility and a bank on a white background below a heading that reads "Helping to build carer friendly communities" and the Carers Week logo.

Carers Week: 8th - 14th June

Every June, Carers Week shines a light on the millions of people who provide unpaid care to friends, family members and loved ones. It raises awareness of the realities of caring, highlights the challenges Carers face, and helps people who may not see themselves as Carers to recognise their role and access much‑needed support.


This year’s theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, focuses on the power of everyday places and people to make life better for Carers.


What Are Carer Friendly Communities?

Carer friendly communities:

  • are places where unpaid Carers are recognised, understood and valued

  • weave support into daily life, rather than expecting Carers to cope alone

  • are shaped by people and organisations who recognise the vital role Carers play, understand the realities of caring, and take practical steps to help

  • empower Carers to live fulfilling lives alongside their caring responsibilities.

Celebrate Carers Week With Us

During Carers Week, we’ve got a great mix of events to help you unwind, try something new and find out what support is out there. You can relax with sessions like aromatherapy, art, walking, gardening, yoga or chair yoga, get useful info at our information day and SDS Forth Valley presentation, and enjoy a bit of fun with the Stirling Sunshine Singers dementia‑inclusive choir, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, a visit to Bannockburn Heritage Centre and even the Stirling Ghost Walk.

Free Leisure Centre Access

Thanks to Active Stirling, Bellrock and McLaren Leisure, we’re delighted to be able to offer free access to leisure facilities in Stirling, Balfron and Callander for Carers throughout Carers Week. Facilities vary by venue - see our Carers Week page for full details.

Request a leisure centre access letter

Carers Week: Information Day

As part of our Carers Week celebrations, we're hosting an information day for Carers. This is a chance to find out more about local support services and have a chat with staff about other support available.

Tuesday 9th June

10am - 2pm

Bannockburn & Eastern Villages Community Hub,

Bluebellwood Park, Bannockburn

A New Chapter for Local Carer Services

We are delighted to share some exciting news! From 1st July, we will begin providing support services for unpaid Carers across Clackmannanshire. To reflect this, we will become

Stirling & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre.


What This Means For You

  • More joined-up support across Stirling and Clackmannanshire

  • Stronger local services shaped around Carers’ needs

  • A bigger team ready to listen, advise and support you

Read more about the service update

Read our Latest Magazine

The latest edition of our Carers Connection magazine is available online, or request a hard copy from the Centre.


View our magazine online
Front cover of the Carers Connection magazine featuring a photo pf an older gentleman weeding a flower bed with a chicken standing in it.
Image description

Join our next Carers' Voice meetings

Following the success of our hustings event, we want to ensure there are more opportunities to share issues with policy-makers.

If you're interested in getting involved, join our upcoming Carers' Voice meetings during Carers Week.

Rural Area

Tuesday 9th June

10.30am - 12pm

Online

Book Rural Carers' Voice

Urban Area

Tuesday 9th June

6pm - 8pm

Stirling Carers Centre

Book Urban Carers' Voice

Do you have an emergency plan in place?

If you could not provide the care you usually do, would someone else be able to step in quickly and safely? An emergency care plan helps make sure the person you care for is looked after if you are suddenly unwell, delayed, or unavailable.


What is an emergency care plan?

An emergency care plan is a simple record of important information about the person you care for. It helps others understand their needs and routines so they can take over care with confidence.

Find out more about emergency care planning

End-of-Life Caring Conversations

We know how difficult it can be to speak openly about death, dying, and what the future might hold, and how isolating that can feel.

Stirling Carers Centre is working in partnership with Strathcarron Hospice to host a supportive conversation for Carers and the people they care for who are living with life-limiting or end-of-life medical conditions.


This informal meeting is an opportunity to talk about the realities of caring at the end of life in a safe and welcoming space. Together with Strathcarron Hospice, we want to listen, share experiences, and explore how we can better support Carers and those they care for - emotionally, practically, and compassionately.


You're welcome to bring along the person you care for. There is no pressure to speak, just an opportunity to connect, learn more about available support, and know you’re not alone.

Friday 19th June • 2 – 3pm

Bannockburn & Eastern Villages Community Hub

Book for End-of-Life Caring event

BBC Caring Matters Week: 23rd - 30th May

The BBC is marking its first ever Caring Matters Week with a range of special programmes and content highlighting the experiences of unpaid Carers. The programming includes dedicated shows, such as Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together, as well as featuring Carers, or storylines about Carers, on shows including Bargain Hunt, The One Show, Saturday Kitchen, The Archers and Eastenders.


The week will:

  • Share real stories from Carers across the UK

  • Offer practical advice and guidance

  • Highlight the challenges and rewards of caring

If you are supporting someone, this is a good opportunity to:

  • Hear from others in similar situations

  • Find helpful information

  • Reflect on your own wellbeing

Find out more about Caring Matters Week

Online Yoga Update

Our online yoga sessions with Lesley-Anne are taking a break until August. If you would like to be kept updated when they start again, please email [email protected] or call 01786 447003.

Exploring the Economic Impact of Caring for People with Cancer

A research team at the University of Manchester wants to hear about experiences of caring for someone with cancer, and how it affects the life of the Carer. Chat anonymously with a friendly researcher online at a time convenient to you, and share your experiences. You will be financially compensated for your time.

Find out more about the Cancer Carers study

What's On

Carers Week Event Booking

We expect there to be a high demand for our Carers Week activities. To keep it fair and ensure everyone is able to attend at least one event, our team will allocate places from everyone who has registered. Because of this, booking does not guarantee a place - it is a register of interest.

Carers Week: Aromatherapy Workshop

Monday 8th June

10am - 12pm

Stirling Carers Centre

Join Elaina, our complementary therapist, for a relaxing session exploring essential oils and how they can be used in everyday life.


Carers Week: Mad Hatter's Tea Party

Wednesday 10th June

1.30pm - 3.30pm

Braehead Community Garden

Join us in the Carers’ Garden for a whimsical afternoon tea and enjoy a selection of Carers Week treats.

Carers Week: Bannockburn Heritage Centre & Lunch

Thursday 11th June

1.30pm - 5pm

Bannockburn

Enjoy a light lunch at the King Robert Hotel followed by a visit to Bannockburn Heritage Centre to see local history brought to life!

Carers Week: Ghost Walk

Friday 12th June

8pm - 9.15pm

Stirling Old Town

We’re finishing the week with a trip into Stirling’s darker past on a ghost walk around the old town. Are you brave enough to join us?!

Carers Week: Jump 'n' Joy

Thursday 11th June

5.30pm - 7.30pm

Tullibody

For our Parent Carers Group - enjoy exclusive access to Jump ‘n’ Joy trampoline park, with space to relax and have fun together.

Carers Week: Chair Yoga

Friday 12th June

1.30pm - 3pm

Riverside Bowling Club

Chair yoga, with Sandrine Gardner, is designed for those who prefer a gentler pace or have limited mobility.


For full Carers Week listings, visit stirlingcarers.org.uk/CarersWeek

Male Carers: Linden Inn Lunch

Thursday 4th June

1pm - 3pm

The Linden Inn

Our Male Carers Group meets monthly, usually on the first Thursday of the month, and is open to all male Carers aged 18+. Join us in June for lunch at The Linden Inn.

My Time: Lawn Bowls Taster Session

Thursday 25th June

6pm - 8pm

Riverside Bowling Club

My Time is our monthly evening event for Carers. Join us in June for a lawn bowls taster session at Riverside Bowling Club. Light refreshments provided.

Other upcoming groups & activities

  • Book Group

    • Friday 5th June, 10.30am - 11.30am, Stirling Carers Centre.

  • Carer Groups

    • Killearn: Wednesday 10th June, 12pm - 2pm, Killearn Village Hall (Carers Week: Art Workshop)

  • Parent Carers Multisport Sessions

    • Wednesdays, 4.30pm - 5.30pm, The Peak

  • Self-Directed Support Information Sessions

    • Person’s Pathway: Thursday 25th June, 10am - 12pm, Stirling Carers Centre

    • Carer’s Pathway: Thursday 11th June, 10am - 12pm, Stirling Carers Centre

  • Stirling Sunshine Singers

    • Thursdays, 11am - 12.30pm, Stirling Albert Halls (Lesser Hall).

  • Walking Group

    • Monday 8th June, 10.30am - 12.00pm (Carers Week: King's Park)

  • Yoga & Relaxation

    • Wednesdays & Fridays, 9.30am - 10.30am, Killearn Village Hall

  • Young Adult Carers Group (18-25)

    • Thursday 25th June, 6-8pm, CHAMPS Space, Stirling

  • Complementary Therapies

    • Appointments available in Stirling and Callander. Contact the Centre to book.

Register for events

Stirling Carers Centre 

Kintail House, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ 

01786 447003

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