What We Do

Carers Link provides a range of information, support and advocacy services for people who live or care within the East Dunbartonshire area.

To learn more about our activities and services, you can also use any of the links on the left-hand side of the screen or use our site-map.

Information

Carers Link provides information to Carers, their families and to people who may work with Carers. You can telephone FREE on 0800 975 2131 or visit our website's Information Section for lots of useful information and further sources of help.

Free-Phone Helpline

Whether you have a question that needs answered, are looking for advice or just want to chat about how you feel, you can telephone FREE on 0800 975 2131

1-to-1 Support

Whether on the telephone or face-to-face over coffee, you can meet with a member of the staff team or one of our Peer Support Volunteers to discuss your experiences, feelings or concerns. This can be done on a one-off occasion or over a period of several months – whatever support you think you need, chat with us.

Advocacy

Some Carers prefer that we work with them over longer periods of time to explore different options, resolve issues or complaints or help ensure that your views or concerns are heard. We can also help you with writing letters, attending meetings or completing a Carers Assessment. Carers Link can:

  • Listen to you – talking over your concerns or complaint may help make it clear in your mind what the issues are and what outcome you want to achieve
  • Assist in Letter Writing – once you have decided what you want to say, we can help draft this into a letter
  • Prepare for Meetings – if you have a meeting planned, we will support you to decide what questions you want to ask or what you want to say. This can be written in advance so that you are then fully prepared on the day
  • Attend Meetings – if you prefer, we can go with you to provide moral support or to help take notes. This will allow you to focus on what you want to say. If necessary, we can remind you of issues that you planned to raise or even read out your prepared questions if you are uncomfortable speaking in formal situations. We are not, however, able to interpret your concerns or talk on your behalf if you are not there.

Caring With Confidence Courses

Want to learn more about Caring? Want to learn new skills or try out something new? Why not check out the range of activities and courses available.  For specific dates of events, look in our 'What's On' 

Peer Support Groups

Keen to chat and share experiences, or to learn from others who have a caring role? Want to meet other Carers with similar experiences? Carers Link runs several groups throughout East Dunbartonshire which are listed in Support and in'What's On' . If there is not one that meets your needs, please contact us - all it needs is a few people interested in getting together to start a new group!

Your Voice

You may be a Carer now, you might become a Carer in the future, you may work with Carers or the people they support, or you might be someone that needs the help and support of your family or friends – whatever your background caring is an issue important to us all. This is your chance to affect the development of local services or link with national research. It’s Your Voice – Use It!

Raising Awareness/Outreach

We provide talks or presentations to local organisations, community groups and businesses, explaining how a caring role can affect their family, friends, neighbours and colleagues, and what can be done to be more supportive. If you would like someone to deliver a talk or presentation to your group or organisation, please contact us. Our talks can be tailored to suit your audience and time available. 

Volunteer Opportunities

You might be interested in volunteering to gain work experience, to meet others, to have fun, to learn something new, to fill in time or because of your own caring experiences – whatever your reason, why not find out more about the many Volunteering Opportunities at Carers Link.