| | | Carers Rights Day is taking place on Thursday 19th November |
| | | Here at Stirling & Clackmannanshire Carers, we’re proud to join Carers UK and other organisations in raising awareness of the rights, entitlements and wider support available for unpaid carers. Many people who look after someone don’t see themselves as an unpaid carer. They simply see it as being there for their friend, family member or neighbour, and can often miss out on vital support as a result. This Carers Rights Day, we’re coming together to help people recognise sooner that they’re a carer. This matters because knowing you’re an unpaid carer is the first step to knowing your rights and accessing support. |
| | | | | | | | | Have a conversation with someone you think might be in a caring role to encourage them to get support. Take a moment to reflect on how you are feeling in your own caring role: - Do you know your own rights?
- Are there any gaps in your support?
- And if you need to talk, get in touch with us.
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| | | Take a look at Carers UK sources of support, and consider sharing them with someone you know who might find them useful. They include guides on understanding your rights, financial and practical information to those who are new to caring, and developing self-advocacy skills to ensure your voice is heard. |
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Carer voices at the heart of service delivery and planning |
| | | Connect with Andy and Moira, Carer Reps for Clackmannanshire and Stirling IJB (Integrated Joint Board) |
| | | Our Carer Representatives, Andy and Moira, are here to make sure your experiences and needs are heard when services are being planned and improved. What is the IJB?
The Integration Joint Board is where decisions are made about how health and social care services are delivered locally. It is made up of members from the local council, NHS Health Board, senior officers, health professionals, staff representatives, voices from the third sector, unpaid Carers, and service users.
Andy and Moira are keen to connect with other carers and hear about any thoughts or concerns you’d like raised.
To learn more about what it means to be an IJB rep, and how you can share your views and experiences, check out the video below by Andy. |
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Christmas Tree Tag Appeal |
| | | Help make Christmas special for a young carer |
| | | From the beginning of December, you will be able to collect a tag from the Christmas tree in our office, which will provide you with information to help you buy a gift for a young carer, such as their age and things they like. Bring your unwrapped gift back to the office by 14th December and we will make sure they reach a young carer in time for Christmas. Alternatively, you can look out for businesses across the region who are supporting our appeal and collect a tag from them! Every gift, big or small, will make a young carer feel remembered and cared for this Christmas. |
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| | | | | | We're getting into the festive spirit and have a bunch of exciting events lined up! Please note: Due to current funding, not all events are available to carers in all areas. Events marked (S) are for carers in the Stirling Council Area only and events marked (C) are for carers in the Clackmannanshire area only. |
| | | My Time: Wreath Making (S) |
| | | Have a go at making your very own Christmas wreath! Join us for a festive craft session, organised by Tricia, one of our wonderful carers, and make something special to take home. |
| | | Thursday 26th November, 6-8pm Riverside Bowling Club, Stirling |
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| | | Parent Carers Panto: Beauty and the Beast (S) |
| | | Come along to see a ‘riotous reimagining of the greatest love story in the pantosphere’ at Macrobert Centre. Open to carers of children aged 16 and under and their families. |
| | | Saturday 5th December, 2-4pm MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling |
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| | | Clackmannanshire Christmas Lunch (C) |
| | | Join us for some delicious food, meet other carers in the area, and celebrate our first Christmas in Clackmannanshire! |
| | | Tuesday 8th December, 12.30-3pm Alba Restaurant, Alloa |
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| | | Stirling Christmas Lunch (S) |
| | | Join us in Stirling for a festive treat with a three course meal and entertainment provided by the King Robert Hotel. |
| | | Wednesday 16th December, 1-4pm King Robert Hotel, Stirling |
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| | | The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the problem of some Claims Management Companies (CMCs) contacting pensioners and their families, offering to handle claims for benefits like Attendance Allowance or missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) on their behalf, for a fee. These companies are not doing anything illegal, but the impact on individuals can be significant. Fees can run into hundreds or even over a thousand pounds, taken from money people are entitled to receive for free. The message that the DWP want to get across is that if you’re eligible for these benefits, claiming them should never cost you anything. |
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Scottish Government Consultation: Price Controls on Essential Food Items |
| | | The Scottish Government are seeking views on whether legal price caps should be introduced for certain essential food items sold by large supermarket chains in stores and online. This comes in response to cost of living pressures faced by many household budgets in Scotland, with food prices being a contributing factor. They are interested in hearing from the general public including poverty and equalities campaigners and representatives, retailers, third sector organisations, hospitality, and other interested parties. The consultation is closes on 24th November 2026. |
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| | | | | | Please note: Due to current funding, not all events are available to carers in all areas. Please check events for more details. |
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Clackmannanshire Adult Carer Drop Ins |
| | | Fortnightly on Fridays 9am-1pm Next session 30th October Speirs Centre - Alloa Library and Registry Office |
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| | Come along for a chat, meet the staff, and learn more about how we can support you in your caring role. |
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| | | Weekly on Thursdays 11am-1pm Bluebellwood Park, Park Drive, Bannockburn |
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| | A partnership initiative led by Strathcarron Hospice, Bluebell Community Cafe acts as a support network for the local community by providing connection and companionship for people experiencing bereavement or loss. |
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Clackmannanshire Carer Support Group |
| | | Tuesdays (except first Tuesday of the month) 1.30 - 3.30pm Hawkhill Community Centre, Alloa |
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| | The Clackmannanshire Carer Support Group is open to carers living in the Clackmannanshire Council area. Come along and meet other local carers over light refreshments. |
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Other upcoming groups & activities |
| | | - Carer Groups
- Killearn: Wed 11th Nov and 9th Dec, 12-2pm, Killearn Village Hall
- Riverside: Fri 13th Nov, 1.30-3pm, Riverside Bowling Club
- St Ninians: Mon 16th Nov and 21st Dec, 12-2pm, Mayfield Centre
- Rural Carers Catch-Up
- Fri 20th Nov and 18th December, 2-3.30pm, Trust Housing, Callander
- Male Carers Group
- Due to staffing, there will be no Male Carers Group in November.
- Parent Carers: Multisport Session
- Wednesdays, 4.30-5.30pm, The Peak, Stirling
- Walking Group
- Mon 2nd Nov, 10.30am - 12.00pm
- Yoga Relaxation
- Wednesdays & Fridays, 9.30am - 10.30am, Killearn Village Hall
- Young Adult Carers Group (18-25)
- Complementary Therapies
- Appointments available in Stirling and Callander. Contact the Centre to book.
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| | | Stirling & Clackmannanshire Carers |
| | | Kintail House, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ 01786 447003 |
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