In honour of Carers Week 2024, Brig spoke to Stirling Carers to find out what support is available for local unpaid carers.
The cost-of-living crisis has rendered this issue extremely important as more and more carers of all ages struggle to cope. Carers Week is an annual campaign running from June 10 to 16, highlighting the vital and unseen role of unpaid carers across the country.
The campaign also helps individuals who may not identify as carers to recognise their own work and access the support available to them.
Caring for someone with a physical or mental illness, addiction, or complication from old age can come with complicated and frequent challenges. Carers report significant impacts on every aspect of life including their finances, relationships, careers, and health.
Stirling Carers has been supporting and uplifting unpaid carers throughout the Stirling Council area since 1991. They provide services and resources, encouraging carers to communicate their needs to further improve how they assist those who need it.
Carley O’Hare, the Young Adult Carer Support Officer for Stirling Carers, commented on the support available to students or those under 25.
“I am based at the student hub at the university on the last Thursday of every month 1pm-4pm to take any questions from students and get them registered with our services. One of the big demands is receiving evidence from us that they are carers whilst studying.
“We would complete a support plan for them and issue a Forth Valley carers card – an ID card to prove they are students. They can use this to access widened support and any other grants that may be available to them through the university.”
She said, “Studying and a caring role can definitely have an impact, especially as students are not eligible for carers allowance whilst in full-time education.
“People struggle with isolation, loneliness, their own mental health and the caring role impacts all of that. Their physical health, if they aren’t getting enough time to look after themselves.”
According to the Carers Trust, an estimated 800,000 people are working as unpaid carers in Scotland. 30,000 of them are under the age of 18. The value of their care is estimated to be £12.8 billion per year. Research shows that as many as one in five children can be considered a young carer.
The financial implications go deeper; the Scottish Government reported that young carers have an increased likeliness of not attending education regularly. This is due to their responsibilities at home but also because of tiredness or bullying. Without adequate support, many children are at risk of finishing school without the needed qualifications to support themselves.
The cost-of-living crisis has made things increasingly more challenging for carers, as necessities as well as things like rent become more difficult to afford.
O’Hare said: “The cost of living has meant we get a lot of carers asking for support. Primarily, we would refer them to Citizens Advice for this, as they are financial advisors, but things like foodbank referrals and such, we can do on carers behalf.”
“There are a lot of organisations out there that can help and getting registered with us means we can help refer you on to different places that can help with more specific needs.
“For example, we refer to Citizens Advice a lot to get individuals a full financial check, which makes sure they are getting everything they are entitled to.”
The Stirling Carers Centre is situated on Forthside Way, Stirling. They offer in-person and at-home services available to all who think they may be considered a carer.
“At the Centre, we offer a grant called Time to Live. This is a grant up to £300 for time away from a caring role.
“It can be used on a physical breakaway or, as we realise a lot of carers can’t do this, people use it on gym memberships, garden furniture, anything really that gives people a respite. This is currently closed due to the amount of applications but will hopefully be back open in April 2024.”
O’Hare offered advice for those thinking of reaching out, “professionals can refer to the website, and carers can phone in themselves to get registered with us.
“We would take an initial registration over the phone then book in with a support officer to have a more in-depth discussion to see how we can best support them.
“Finally, we are here to support carers and ensure their voices are being heard. Sometimes we are just that listening ear to carers to build that relationship with them and ensure they are not alone in their caring role.”
Self-referral can be completed on their website, www.StirlingCarers.co.uk, or contacted on 01786 447 003 from Monday to Friday, 9am until 4pm.
Featured Image Credit: Stirling Carers
Journalism student at the University of Stirling. She/Her. Twitter & Instagram: @DeannaDawnn
