On Thursday 24 November, we marked Carers Rights Day and raised awareness of the unsung heroes of our communities, unpaid carers.

This year, the campaign focused on the many ways in which caring costs affect unpaid carers – from carers’ wellbeing and ability to access health services, to costs to their finances and employment options, to the current cost of living crisis that’s being felt even more acutely by carers throughout the UK. 

Each year, Carers Rights Day is a great opportunity to ensure carers are aware of their rights and to let carers know where to get help and support. 

To mark Carers Rights Day, our Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) Home Care Services played their part in making Glasgow a carer friendly community. 

The teams arranged ‘Carer Aware’ briefings for Home Care staff to help increase the number of carers being identified when the person they look after receives a Home Care Service. 

This new approach is similar to one that has been incredibly successful with Glasgow’s Link Workers. Over the last year, the Glasgow Community Link Worker programme referred 296 people to the Carers Service and signposted a further 381 people to other services.

Fred Beckett, our HSCP’s Carers Lead said: “Today is Carers Rights Day, so it’s important to raise awareness about unpaid carers and their rights. In Glasgow, we’re committed to supporting carers every day of the year, so please take the time to find out what help is available to you”. 

Help and support for Unpaid Carers

If you’re looking after someone in Glasgow and want further information on carers’ rights, news, campaigns and accessing services (including an online carer self-referral form), then visit our HSCP’s Your Support Your Way Glasgow website. Carer Act Resources are available and updated regularly.

You can also contact the Glasgow Carers Partnership Carers Information Line by phoning 0141 353 6504 for information, advice and signposting to relevant services.

As a carer positive organisation, Glasgow City Council supports employees who are carers and has a variety of policies, procedures and guidance to support carers in the workplace. These can be viewed on Connect by staff who have access.

You can also read our Carer Strategy 2022 – 25 to find out more about our commitment to make Glasgow a Caring Community. 

The Scottish Government has also launched a National Wellbeing Hub, which provides information about help and support that’s available to health and social care staff and unpaid carers nationally, locally and within their own organisations.

To find out what help and support is available in Scotland, visit the Carers Scotland website.