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.

Get ready to explore famous landmarks and gritty street art, hear tales of Glasgow’s criminal and macabre past! 
This is not your average tour; it is a tour bursting with dry Glaswegian humour and entertaining tales, dedicated to the people and their thrilling, hilarious, and sometimes terrifying adventures.
The stories told won’t be found in museums, or summed up in a book – they will be

delivered by a professional storyteller who will add their own anecdotes to the historical facts and the mythical imaginings.

Have your say! We want your opinion on holding a monthly Carer Cafe in Bishopbriggs, somewhere to chat and benefit from peer support. It would be very helpful to know what carers in the Bishopbriggs area think – is there a demand for a monthly Carer Cafe?

To find out more, please join us for a tea/coffee and a chat on Tuesday 6th

August at 2.30 pm in the Leven Room in Woodhill Evangelical Church.

We have one ticket available for the Van Gogh 🎨🎨 Experience that combines more than 300 of the post-Impressionist icon's paintings with cutting edge technology and a special musical soundtrack telling the story of one of history's most influential artists. Connect with Van Gogh through personal letters and the Immersive Room where paintings are freed from their frames to envelope you in colourful flowers, cafes and stunning landscapes.

Our groups continue in August, so get ready for a Glasgow Walking Tour,  Carers Cafes, Online Dru Yoga  that are FREE for carers to join. 

We run monthly Carer Cafes in Milngavie, Kirkintilloch and Lennoxtown as well as a Dementia Carer Cafe in Bishopbriggs. These cafes offer an opportunity to take some time out; have a cuppa and chat with other carers - who might even be in a similar situation or can share some support or advice.

If you cannot come in person we offer an Online Dementia Carer Cafe, with a chance to meet up regularly for a friendly catch up over a cuppa.

There's never been a more crucial time to have your say on the state of caring.  Carers UK use the information they get from their annual State of Caring surveys in their policy and campaigning work. This year's survey closes on 11 August, and the results will be used to campaign for change from the new UK and the Scottish Governments.Your opinion counts. Complete the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SQ5CDPG.

With a new 'right to a break' in development, it has never been more important to put carers voices at the heart of decision-making. That’s why Shared Care Scotland, the national carer organisation with short breaks and respite at its core, is undertaking a comprehensive survey on unpaid carers’ experiences of short breaks and respite services in Scotland. The survey will help the organisation understand the needs and experiences of carers which as they build a picture of short breaks and respite across Scotland.The survey closes on 31 July.  
Please click the link to take part:  
https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/policy-practice-development/2024-carers-survey/

The next session is on 13th August, 2-3.30pm.These sessions will cover:
What is Self Directed Support?
What rights do I have?
What about family carers
How do I get an assessment of my needs?
What are the four options? A Zoom link will be sent once you are signed up.

This Sensory Workshop takes place on 30 August from 10-1pm, is a practical session on managing arousal and looks at sensory strategies to regulate and improve function, covering:

Definition of arousal
Sensory processing differences
The importance of regulation
Sensory diets, Brain & Movement break.

The next Clinic will take place on 27 August 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.

For unpaid carers, being able to take up paid employment alongside their caring role can have a substantial impact. However, many unpaid carers face barriers when accessing and sustaining employment often as a result of demanding caring responsibilities and further fuelled by a lack of support considering carer specific needs for securing employment.

Carers Scotland have published a new report called - Unlocking the door - How to make paid employment a meaningful choice for unpaid carers in Scotland.

Carers Link has an Employability Coordinator who can help you with CVs, applications, interview skills and more. Contact Scott@carerslink.org.uk or call 0800 975 2131 to find out about the support he can offer.

Heather McKelvie and Rena Bald were thrilled to represent Carers Link at the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace on 2 July. There were 8000 invited guests from all over the country, representing lots of different organisations.

"It was such a happy occasion.  We also felt very proud to be able to chat to others about the help and support that Carers Link provides to so many carers, and to hear about the other great work that goes on out in communities across the country", said Heather.

"We did not expect to meet any members of the Royal Family! King Charles headed towards us and spent a few minutes chatting.

He was very amused when, after asking an elderly lady in a wheelchair how she was, she replied “Well, I’m still here!”, finished Heather.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a privilege to be there on behalf of Carers Link. Finally, special thanks to Tina who kindly picked us up and brought us home again, and treated us like royalty!"

Rena added, “It was a lovely day and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. King Charles was charming and he wore his top hat and tails. We couldn’t believe it when he appeared in front of us.  It was really kind of Heather’s sister driving us to and from Edinburgh.”

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 just 7 places left so book now!

A big thank you to Josefina Polson age 9, who has designed an inspiring poster encouraging thrill-seekers to sign up to our biggest annual challenge - Zipslide the Clyde!!!

Commenting on the design of her poster, young carer Josefina said: “I love art because it is fun, and I find it relaxing. I get to be creative and find inspiration. 

"I researched photos of the Squinty Bridge, Glasgow and felt inspired to include it in my drawing for Carers Link’s Zipslide poster.The person in my drawing is a made up character called ‘Antony’. He loves adventure and he is not afraid of heights!  I hope people will and take part in the Zipslide. They will have chance to have fun, get outdoors and see some great sights!

"With Carers Link I get to meet other young

carers and enjoy activities and a break from caring. I love Craft Daft on a Raft and really enjoyed the Limbo game. Thank you for helping us!”

Watch this space for a chance to win a fabulous football tour of Celtic Park, going live on 6 August.  

Tickets will be £5 per entry and funds raised will enable us to continue to provide young and adult carers throughout East Dunbartonshire with a range of activities and support. Keep your eyes on our socials on how to take part over the next couple of weeks.