Carers Support
Information on the work we do to help carers
On this page. . .
What is a Carer?
The Carers Scotland Act (2016) defines a carer as:
“An individual who provides or intends to provide care for another individual (the “cared-for person”).”
For the purpose of providing the right support we categorise carers into the following groups:
- Young Carer
A carer under the age of 18, or aged 18 if still in full-time education - Young Adult Carer
A carer between the ages of 18-25 years old. They would also be considered an adult carer, but some services work specifically with this group - Adult Carer
A carer aged 18 and over
How do we support unpaid carers?
We offer support to individuals from ages 8 to 90+ years old who find themselves in an unpaid carers role. Our service is designed to cater to the unique needs of carers, ensuring they receive the information, resources, and help they deserve.
Support we offer
- Practical, emotional, and peer support
- Help to access other services within the centres such as groupwork, counselling, short breaks and Self-directed Support
Explore our services page - Offer a variety of groups and events, held within the centre and in local communities
- Offer learning, training, and accreditation opportunities
- Help to access other organisations
- Offer accessible services in Urdu, Punjabi, Mandarin, and Cantonese
Source: https://carers.org/key-facts-about-carers-and-people-they-care
Young Carers Support
Young carers often put the needs of the person they care for before their own, meaning that they can miss out on experiences that other young people get.
Young carers may also experience stress, anxiety, and worry about the person they care for and would benefit from additional support.
These groups help emotionally to get through the hard times, you can relax and share your feelings with new friends I have in the group.
Young carer, December 18
We offer the same support to young carers as we do to adult carers including practical, emotional, and peer support – plus various groups and activities.
Young Carer Transitions
Working in partnership with schools, CLD and D&A College Dundee Carers Centre run transition support and activities for young carers moving from P7 – S1 who will be leaving school this year.
Dundee Carers Centre Link Workers are working hard to ensure that we know all the young carers due to transition this year. If you work in schools please liaise directly with your link worker to ensure that no young carer misses out on these fantastic opportunities.
Depending on the cluster or age of young people a variety of activities are provided including getting to know other young carers, trips, activities, training and accreditation opportunities, and support to access additional supports such as the young carer package and young carer grants.
For both age groups, residential opportunities will be available – to the Scottish Young Carers Festival and an Outward-Bound opportunity in partnership with Camp & Trek.
Support in Schools
We have assigned a link worker to every school in Dundee to work with identified young carers within the school setting.
Additionally, we help schools appoint a staff member as a Young Carer Co-ordinator. This allows young carers to be identified and to access support instantly within a safe school environment.
Click here to download our Young Carers Leaflet that provides information on support available.
School Information Portal
Carers of Dundee School Information Portal is a full list of schools we support and has complete information on assigned link workers, young carer coordinators and contact details.
Student Carers
We partner with Dundee & Angus College to provide support to student carers attending the college.
If you are a carer and a college student, please contact Student Support Services or Dundee Carers Centre for more information on the available support.
Young Carers Voice & Young Carer Ambassadors
Young Carers Voice is a city-wide group of young carers (aged between 14-18 years old) who are involved in influencing change for young carers in Dundee.
If you are a young carer interested in finding out more or know a young carer who would like to join this group, please contact your Dundee Carers Centre link worker or email [email protected]
Young Carer Ambassadors are young carers who take on a leadership role within their school, offering peer support to other young carers as well as raising awareness of young carers within their local community and school body.
If you are interested in finding out more about this role, please contact your Dundee Carers Centre link worker or email [email protected]. [email protected]
Locality Information
The Locality Information Section is based on our locality model of working and outlines information including locality workers, partnership organisations, links to school information and events in your community.
Learning and Accreditation
Dundee Carers Centre offers a range of free and flexible ways for you to gain nationally accredited qualifications that recognise the learning, training, skills, and personal experience you have gained as an unpaid carer. These opportunities are available if you take part in one-to-one support, groups, learning, training, or volunteering.
Some of our awards are available for the whole family to work towards together – so there really is something for everyone.
To find out more we have created an Accreditation Booklet that outlines all the courses available to carers and information on how to apply.
Download our latest What's on
Groups/events taking place in your locality
Our latest What’s On guide is hot off the press and ready for you to explore
Inside, you’ll find a lineup of upcoming events and groups including our Happy Feet Walking group, Carers Groups and Connecting Carers Cafes.
To get your hands on the latest guide, all you need to do is click the button below.
Click here to download the latest copy
To find out more about our other services
Download our general leaflet here
To explore other events for carers click here
Please keep following our Facebook, or Instagram pages for the latest news and updates.