Carers Support
Information on the work we do to help carers
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 runs transition support and activities for young carers moving from P7 – S1 and who will be leaving school this year.
Dundee Carers Centre Link Workers are working hard to ensure that we know who all the young carers are who are 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, support to access additional supports such as 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
Each school across Dundee has a named Carer Support worker who works closely with the school. We also support schools to appoint a school staff member as a Young Carer Co-ordinator.
This allows young carers can either contact Dundee Carers Centre or speak to Young Carer Co-ordinator to access support.
School Information Portal
Carers of Dundee website has complete information on support available at each school on their School Information Portal.
Click here for our Young Carers Leaflet which gives more details about the help that can be offered to young carers within schools.
Student Carers
We work in partnership with Dundee & Angus College to provide support to student carers that attend the college.
If you are a carer and a college student then you can contact Student Support Services or Dundee Carers Centre for more information on the support available.
Young Carers Voice & Young Carer Ambassadors
Young Carers Voice is a city-wide group of young carers (aged between 14-18 years old) who get involved in influencing change for young carers in the City.
If you are a young carer who would like to find out more or you know a young carer you think 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, volunteering to support awareness raising, groups, and support in their school or college. We have 24 young carer ambassadors across the City.
If you are interested in finding out more about this role please contact your Dundee Carers Centre link worker or email Alix: [email protected]
Locality Information
Explore local information on our dedicated locality information page. Here you can find information on your local support workers, updates, and list of local services that we work in partnership with.
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
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.
Please keep following our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages for the latest news and updates.
Make a Referral
If you would like to make a referral to Dundee Carers Centre, please download and complete one of the referral forms below
Download Referral in PDF Format
Download Referral in Word Format
Completed forms can be emailed to [email protected]
Having issues with your referral?
If you require assistance with your referral, please call us on 01382 200422 where you can complete your referral over the phone.