carers-connection-april-2026

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Event poster promoting a hustings for unpaid carers ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election in Stirling. 14th April 2026, Cowane Centre, Stirling. The Stirling Carers Centre and Carers Trust Scotland logos are included.

Join us for the Stirling Carers Hustings

In partnership with Carers Trust Scotland, we’re hosting local hustings in Stirling to give unpaid Carers the chance to put their questions directly to the candidates. This is an opportunity to hear where each party stands on the issues that matter most to Carers and their families.

Tuesday 14th April, 5.30 - 7pm, The Cowane Centre, Stirling

Confirmed candidates:

Alyn Smith, SNP
Kainde Manji, Labour
Stephen Kerr, Conservative
Amanda Clark, Liberal Democrats (regional candidate)

If you would like to submit a question for the panel, please include it when you register.

Register for Stirling Carers' Hustings

Front page of the National Carer Organisations Manifesto: Supporting unpaid carers and young carers in 2026 and beyond.

The Carers' Manifesto

To make sure Carers are heard, the National Carer Organisations - a group of seven organisations that represent unpaid Carers - have created the Carers Manifesto.

It sets out ten key asks for the next government, based on three priorities: better support, better health and wellbeing, and better financial security.

Read the Carers' Manifesto

Carer Breaks Consultation

The Care Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 introduced the new Right to Breaks for unpaid Carers. This is an important step forward, and the Scottish Government is now consulting on how this should work in practice.

It is vital that the views of Carers are heard and considered in the process. To help you explore the proposals and think about what's important to you, the Coalition of Carers in Scotland is hosting online discussion sessions.

The consultation asks for feedback on what counts as “sufficient breaks,” what types of support should be recognised as a break, whether there should be timescales for preparing Adult Carer Support Plans or Young Carer Statements, and how Scotland should transition from the current system to the new right.

Each session takes place online via Zoom and will walk through the relevant section of the consultation and create space for carers to discuss what would work best in real life. You can read the full consultation via the link below.

Coalition of Carers Discussion Sessions

What Types of Breaks Should Count?

Wednesday 1 April, 10am – 11.30am

Timescales for Carer Support Plans

Thursday 23 April, 10am – 11.30am

Moving to the New Right to Breaks

Thursday 30 April, 10am – 11.30am

Book for the Carer Breaks Consultation sessions

Read the full consultation document

A banner with a red and white design featuring text ‘Power of Attorney Day’ at the top. Features a bold red background with text reading, ‘Being next of kin doesn't automatically give you a say’. A circular image of two women looking at a screen smiling.

Power of Attorney Day - 22nd April

You never know what’s around the corner. We tend to assume that close relatives will automatically be allowed to make decisions on our behalf if something happens to us, but this isn’t true.

Without power of attorney, it is not certain who can take decisions on your behalf. A power of attorney is a legal document that can ensure a person’s wishes are respected, should they be in a position where they are no longer able to express this directly. For Carers, having power of attorney in place can provide clarity and avoid stressful decision-making during difficult emergency situations.

Wednesday 22 April 2026 is Power of Attorney Day - a chance to find out more about power of attorney, what it means for you and your family, and how to put it in place.

Find out more about Power of Attorney

Time for You: 4‑hour Respite for Unpaid Carers

Time for You is a new Monday respite service giving unpaid Carers 4 hours of genuine time out, while the person you care for enjoys a safe, welcoming day with meaningful activity and lunch included.

✅ Free taster session – no obligation

✅ Small group (max 10) for personalised support

✅ Flexible ongoing options – weekly, fortnightly or monthly

✅ Suitable for people living with dementia or cognitive decline

✅ No waiting list (free spaces are filling up fast for the tester days)

Perfect option for anyone awaiting services to have time out - it’s only a phone call away and no paperwork is required for referrals. Places can be funded through SDS (carer respite or individual budgets). Alzheimer Scotland can also support families to explore local funding options.

For more information, contact Anne Boyd: [email protected] or call 07932 120685

Dementia Friendly Concerts

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra's dementia-friendly concert series are relaxed afternoon concerts featuring classical favourites and familiar tunes, introduced and performed by SCO musicians, along with tea and biscuits that can be enjoyed as part of the concert experience. Tickets £6 and carer goes free.

Upcoming concerts:

Edinburgh, 8th April, 2pm
Glasgow, 9th April, 2pm

An elderly woman with short, grey hair and glasses, wearing a cream jumper sits in an audience looking delighted. She has a muffin and a cup next to her.

Find out more about Dementia Friendly Concerts

What's On

My Time: Flower Arranging

Thursday 23rd April

6 - 8pm

My Time is our monthly evening group for Carers. Have a go at creating your own piece of floral art to take home.

Parent Carers: Multisports Sessions

Wednesdays during term time

NO SESSION: 8th & 15th April

4.30 - 5.30pm

In partnership with Active Stirling, join us for free, fun, and inclusive sports sessions for children aged 4–12. Led by experienced Active Stirling coaches, these sessions are designed for children with additional support needs or disabilities.

After the Easter holidays, this group will move to The Peak.

Other upcoming groups & activities

Book Group
- Friday 10th April, 10.30am - 11.30am, Stirling Carers Centre.
Carer Lunches
- Killearn: Wednesday 8th April, 12pm - 2pm, Killearn Village Hall
- St. Ninians: Monday 20th April, 12pm - 2pm, Mayfield Centre
Riverside Carers Group
- Friday 17th April, 1.30 - 3pm, Riverside Bowling Club
Rural Carers Group
- Friday 17th April, 2pm - 3.30pm, Trust Housing, Callander
Self-Directed Support Information Sessions
- Person’s Pathway: Thursday 2nd April, 10am - 12pm, Stirling Carers Centre
- Carer’s Pathway: Thursday 16th April, 10am - 12pm, Stirling Carers Centre
Stirling Sunshine Singers
- Thursdays, 11am - 12.30pm, Stirling Albert Halls (Lesser Hall).
- NO SESSION APRIL 2ND
Walking Group
- Monday 13th April, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Yoga & Relaxation
- Mondays, 3.45pm - 4.30pm online
- Wednesdays & Fridays, 9.30am - 10.30am, Killearn Village Hall
Young Adult Carers Group (18-25)
- Thursday 30th April, 6-8pm, CHAMPS Space, Stirling
Complementary Therapies
- Appointments available in Stirling, Dunblane 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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