Carers' Centres

What is a Carers' Centre
What does it do?
How do I get it?
Find out more

What is a Carers' Centre?

Carers' Centres can offer services, information, advice, training and support for carers and are involved in trying to improve the support for carers in their area. They are usually run by voluntary organisations and have trained staff who understand the difficulties involved in caring. Some can also carry out Carers' Assessments. Some Local Authorities fund Carers' Centres and centres can look for extra funding. Some Health Boards also fund Carers' Centres.

There are a number of centres throughout Scotland run by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and these centres are under contract to your local authority. You can find further information on their website below.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

What does it do?

Carers' Centres can provide you with:

information
advice and support
the chance to meet other carers
training in carers' skills
Carers' Assessment
assistance to apply for Carer's Allowance
activities for yourself, for example, relaxation therapies

Carers' Centres have trained staff who can understand the difficulties involved in caring. Your local Carers' Centre may provide training on a range of subjects related to caring. Examples of training provided by some Carers' Centres include:

continence care
finding your way around the system
protecting yourself from harm, stress or depression
finding time and space for yourself
dealing with challenging behaviour
planning for the future
financial planning

How do I get it?

You can drop in to your local Carers' Centre during opening hours. You do not need to be referred to a Carers' Centre, but you can be put in touch with one by a GP, district nurse, health visitor or social worker.

Find out more

Carers Scotland

Provides information on carers' rights and general advice on practical and financial matters for carers. They also provide online services for carers offering information and an opportunity to communicate with other carers in an online forum.

Website: http://www.carersscotland.org/

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

Provides a network of support centres for carers across Scotland, including projects to support young carers.

Website: http://www.carers.org

Crossroads Caring Scotland - Carers Information and Support Line

For information on all matters related to caring, you can also call the Carers Information and Support Line, who accept calls from anywhere in Scotland.

Telephone: 0141 353 6504

Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm and Fridays 9 am to 4 pm. There is an answering service for calls outwith these hours.

Crossroads Caring Scotland also provide short breaks for carers within their own home.

Website: http://www.crossroads-scotland.co.uk

Coalition of Carers in Scotland

The Coalition is a network or alliance of over 80 autonomous local carer-led groups, centres and projects.

Website: http://www.carersnet.org/

MECOPP Carers Centre

MECOPP provides a variety of services to Black and Minority Ethnic carers and communities locally, regionally and nationally.

Website: http://www.mecopp.org.uk

last updated 20/06/2011