One to One Support
Whether you have recently become a carer or have been caring for many years, Carers Link aims to provide you with the support which best suits your individual situation and needs.
We know that caring and/ or work commitments can make it difficult for you to meet us, so we will meet with you whenever and wherever is convenient. And if it’s easier for you to talk to us by phone or email then that suits, too – we aim to support to you in the best way that we can.
Carers Call
Talking with others is a fundamental part of our lives, yet caring can sometimes make us feel a bit isolated. Sharing your thoughts with a trusted friend or family member can help a great deal, but there may be times when you would find it more helpful or appropriate to talk to someone outwith your family who will listen objectively.
Carers Call is our telephone support service where carers are contacted regularly by a volunteer to chat about how things are going. You will get to know the person who calls you, and can talk about anything at all, and ask any questions you may have about your caring role. The volunteers are backed up by our advocacy team, who will follow up any more detailed queries.
If you are a carer and are interested in receiving Carers Call please contact us.
Group support
Our carers groups give you the chance to meet other carers and share experiences and tips. We have a range of groups such as our Carers Choir, chair yoga and crafty carers as well as groups for dementia carers. To find out more information about the groups we run, check our online calendar, read the latest edition of What’s On, or sign up for our weekly e-update
Carers Assessment/ support plan
Carers are entitled to a Carers Assessment (which will become an Adult Carer Support Plan or a Young Carer Statement when the Carers (Scotland) Act comes into force in April 2018. Our advocacy team can explore what help you need to carry out your caring role, complete the assessment form and then discuss your needs with social services. If you want, they can also advocate on your behalf, or help to liaise with Social Work as you go along.
Support for short breaks
Carers Link is pleased to be able to provide some funding for short breaks to help carers sustain their caring role by giving them a break, by reducing stress and/or improving wellbeing. We currently have two funds that you can apply to, both aimed at carers who have a substantial caring role, are less likely to access current support or whose needs are not met by current models of service provision. Carers can apply for a grant to pay for breaks or activities which are very individual, and personalised to their own unique situation.
Anyone living in East Dunbartonshire or caring for someone who lives in East Dunbartonshire can apply to the Drop in the Ocean Fund. To apply for short break funding you need to be supporting a person with a care condition who must be 21 or over unless you are a young carer, when there is no age restriction. Carers Link East Dunbartonshire manages and administers the funds, however all decisions are made by an independent panel of carers which meets quarterly.
A Drop in the Ocean is funded by an anonymous donor, and the Short Breaks Fund is run by Shared Care Scotland on behalf of National Carers Organisations and the Scottish Government.
- You can find out more about the Drop in the Ocean fund by downloading the applicant guidance. To apply, download and complete the application form.
- You can find out more about Creative Breaks funding by downloading the applicant guidance. To apply, download and complete the application form.