On the lead up to Carers Rights Day on 21 November, our Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership hosted an event to mark a new partnership with Glasgow Carers; a carer’s led group, founded by Marie McGinn in April 2024, to amplify the voices of carers.

The event was held at Glasgow City Chambers and brought together carers, HSCP staff, carers organisations and community representatives.

In 2022, the Glasgow City HSCP Carer Strategy gave an ambitious pledge to make Glasgow a carer friendly city. Glasgow Carers and our HSCP strive for carers to recognise and understand their rights, and challenge when those rights are not available to them - whether that be in accessing health or social care, the workplace or education.

Glasgow Carers is focused on caring and working together, to ensure carers’ voices are heard by services and the support provided is tailored to what matters to them.

Glasgow Carers ethos aligns with the Carers Rights Day theme – recognising your rights. Many carers identify themselves as a family member or friend, consequently, they are unaware of their legal rights and what they’re entitled to in terms of carers’ support and benefits.

Fred Beckett, Carers Lead for our HSCP said: “It’s such a privilege to be here today to mark the launch of this partnership. I look forward to working together with Marie and Glasgow Carers to ensure that the voices of carers are at the heart of service design, delivery and improvement in Glasgow.”

To mark this partnership a ribbon cutting ceremony took place outside the Glasgow City Chambers with Councillor Cunningham, Marie McGinn and Fred Beckett doing the honours. The event was also attended by carers, carer organisations and community representatives all standing in solidarity.

Marie McGinn, Founder of Glasgow Carers, said: “Today is a significant step forward for carers, the Carers Strategy is not just a document; it is a commitment to ensuring that carers’ rights are recognised and upheld. It is about creating a city where carers are valued, supported, and empowered to continue their incredible work. Together, we can create a brighter future for all carers and carer organisations in Glasgow.”

Support and information 
If you want to know more about information and supports available to carers looking after someone in Glasgow, or want to help make Glasgow a carer friendly city, please visit www.yoursupportglasgow.org/carers.