As the local organisation dedicated to people who look after someone, Carers Link provides a range of services for carers who live or look after someone in the East Dunbartonshire area.

Carers Week 2024: 'Putting carers on the map' takes place between 10-16 June and Carers Link East Dunbartonshire is  urging anyone that is helping to look after a family member or a friend to take the first step and get in touch to ask for help. Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

It also helps people who do not think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

During Carers Week we are holding two carer coffee mornings. One in Kirkintilloch on Monday 10 June and one on Thursday 13 June in Milngavie.   Anyone caring, is invited to find out more about how they can access the services and support that they need or email whatson@carerslink.org.uk. Please note that  Lennoxtown and Milngavie Carer Cafes will be replaced by Carers Week coffee mornings taking place in Kirkintilloch and Milngavie.

Communication Passports & Future Learning Planning
The next Communication Passports & Future Learning Planning Information Session takes place on 3 June  on Zoom or in person. 

The next Legal Clinic will take place on Tuesday 25 June 2024.

The Legal Clinic is free of charge. It gives carers the chance to have a short one to one meeting with a solicitor to ask questions or seek legal advice on issues such as Power 

of Attorney, Guardianship, Wills, Care Home fees and related issues.At each clinic there are a number of 30 minute appointments between 9.30 – 12.30. 

Please note that the appointments are for information and advice only. This service is kindly being supplied by MCM Solicitors. Carers Link are not affiliated to MCM Solicitors and other legal advice providers are available.

The Carers Care Home Forum is for carers who currently have a relative or loved one in a care home. 

This is our first evening meeting. We particularly encourage,  but not exclusively, anyone who has recently had a loved one move into a care home – to join us – we hope to discuss how they found the whole transition process – with a view to using this feedback for both EDC staff and care homes.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers who have given so much to Carers Link over the years. Volunteering with Carers Link is a great opportunity to meet people, learn new skills, gain confidence and join a supportive community. 

We offer various roles that might suit people in between jobs, those looking to return to work, or anyone with extra time to spare. If you are or have been a carer and have some free time volunteering can be a good way to meet new people, and use your experiences to make a difference to others.

Roles at Carers Link include:
Welcome people to our Carer Cafés and other events
Provide telephone befriending or catch-ups with carers
Help raise funds

Help with administration
Help lead our walks
Become a Carers Link Board Member and help ensure the development and governance of the charity.
Find out more by emailing whatson@carerslink.org.uk.

Please Join us to Empower Carers in East Dunbartonshire!! 

Your insights to caring can make a difference! We invite you to a special creative session designed to help Carers Link support and guide carers in accessing essential information when they are ‘asking for help’.

We are offering a £10 Amazon voucher as a thank you to carers that take part in a session. 

With your experience in caring for parents, partners,  other relatives,  young people and friends your valuable perspectives on the images and resources that would have helped you at the start of your caring journey are crucial and will help to inform the development of this resource.  Together, let’s create the images and resource that  meets the needs of carers now.  

How will the Creative Sessions Run? 
1. We are offering  two very relaxed fun sessions with Elena our facilitator.

2. At each session, we will chat through a list of phrases that carers use when they are ‘asking for help’. Supporting material will be provided.

3.Elena will support us by translating the phrases into a visual icon that will be used across our resources.

Session 1- Monday 17 June, 11-1 in Carers Link, Milngavie.This session  is for up to 10 people.
It is open to carers and volunteers to attend.Tea, coffee and a sandwich lunch will be available.

Session 2-Tuesday 18th June, 7-8pm. This will be a 1 hour, Zoom online session.There are 8 spaces for this session.  
This might suit parents who are carers and possibly younger carers that cannot come in person during the day. It will be helpful to bring a pen and paper to jot down your ideas.

We hope that you can join us for one of the sessions. Places  are limited  for each session and will be  allocated on a first come first served basis. Please book  a place by Tuesday 4th June.

Calling all thrillseekers!! Our hugely popular Zipslide the Clyde is back on Friday 6 September 2024 at 5pm.

This is a 100ft high and 1245ft long challenge, launching off from a crane next to the stunning Glasgow Riverside Museum – it’s a challenge not to be missed!!!  A unique and thrilling way to see Glasgow’s cityscape whilst raising much-needed funds for us.

We have 20 places available this year so get your places booked now as they’ll go quick!

Restrictions:
Over 10 years old (10-16 years old must have parent consent)
Over 33kg (5.19 stone) in weight and under 120kg (18.8 stone)

Please note that we pay £92 per person registration fee. We hope that Zipsliders will be able to raise £200-£300 to cover our costs.

Win cash prizes by signing up to our 100 Club! 

Raise vital funds for Carers Link for as little as £5 a month over a year.  Your donations will be used in a variety of ways to support both adult and young carers throughout East Dunbartonshire, from funding activities and outings, to monthly Carers Cafes.

By joining our 100 Club for as little as £5 a month over a year, you can help us raise vital funds for Carers Link as well as participate in a monthly prize draw.  50% of your donation will go towards the prize fund and 50% will go to support carer services at Carers Link.  It’s a win-win! 

Fancy a Champagne Afternoon Tea at Grand Central Hotel? 

Join, or take out another number if you’re already a member, in our 100 Club between 1 June 2024 and 31 July 2024 and your name will automatically be entered into our prize draw to win a Champagne Afternoon Tea for two at the luxurious Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.

Mindfulness can help you understand your emotions better, cope better with difficult thoughts, and feel calmer. 

A Final Bow for our Dance Class


The first dance class took place on Tuesday 25th October 2022, when we welcomed three keen carers to the inaugural session of "let's face the music and dance"!

The class has continued to attract a number of very talented carers in it's time.  And has provided a great platform for making friends and having fun.

Thank you to everyone who attended and enjoyed this activity. Your support, and obvious enjoyment, has been inspiring. 

 A very special thank you to Zoe, our marvellous dance teacher, for her enthusiasm, talent, kindness and professionalism!

Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, it is no longer possible to continue our dance group and our final session will take place on 18th June.

The Take Five Project is still here to provide support, carers cafes and regular social events and activities - so keep in touch with Carers Link and watch for our weekly/regular updates.