Whether juggling family and work commitments to provide care a few hours a week, or caring 24 hours each day, if you provide regular help and support to a partner, relative or friend because they cannot manage without your help, then Carers Link is here for you.
In East Dunbartonshire 1 Person in 8 is a Carer.
On Monday 26th July 2010, ‘Caring Together’ The Carers Strategy for Scotland 2010 to 2015 was launched at Lanarkshire Carers Centre by Shona Robison MSP.
Following years of campaigning, unpaid carers are finally being recognised as equal partners in the provision of care. The commitment to the development of a Carers Rights Charter represents an important start to implementing this.
The Coalition of Carers – of which Carers Link are members – has also welcomed the commitment to engage carers in all aspects of health and social care planning. In future, carers will have a right to direct representation on Scotland’s 40 Community Health Partnerships.
The Coalition are disappointed that there has not been the opportunity for greater investment in carer support. However, we are pleased that the government has delivered a down payment of £5 million over the next 5 years to support and develop new, personalised forms of short breaks and respite care, and £281,000 for carer training, with a commitment to seek further investment in the next Comprehensive Spending Review.
The Coalition is very aware that the impact of this strategy relies largely on local implementation and that it is essential that Local Authorities address the Action Points within ‘Caring Together’ and embed them in their local Carer Strategies and local strategic planning structures.
It also requires strong leadership from all the political parties in Scotland. It is vital that there is further investment in supporting carers through the Comprehensive Spending Review, in order to address the current ‘service postcode lottery’ and ensure the Strategy makes a real difference to the lives of carers.
On the Scottish Government website, you can read a summary of the Strategy and it's main action points or by reading this leaflet from the Coalition of Carers.
You can read the whole Strategy for Adults or the separate Strategy for Young Carers by following this link to the Scottish Government website or download the PDF file below.
Caring Together: The Carers Strategy for Scotland 2010 - 2015
Getting it Right for Young Carers - The Young Carers Strategy for Scotland 2010-2015
