Support for Unpaid Carers in the Scottish Borders

Caring for someone can be rewarding, but when you're coping day to day and responding to the needs of others, it's easy to forget about your own needs. With the increased pressures carers are under during to the pandemic, it is more important than ever that they know about the practical and emotional support available to them.

Before the pandemic there were an estimated 690,000 carers in Scotland. This included 29,000 who were under the age of 18. A poll undertaken by YouGov suggests the total figure could have increased by an additional 392,000 since beginning of COVID-19 and lockdown. This would take the total potential number of carers across Scotland to around 1.1 million.

There’s a range of support available both nationally and locally to help improve carers’ quality of life, including local carer centres across Scotland.

The Borders Carers Centre, based in Galashiels, offers specialised support to suit adult carers’ individual needs.

Sometimes carers might just need a chat on the phone to somebody who knows what they’re going through. If further help is required Borders Carers Centre can speak with carers about their individual circumstances and put in place more structured support plans. These could include help and support to access funding; training & workshops; emotional support; hospital support; counselling or support groups.

Similar support and advice is available for young carers from Action for Children, Scottish Borders CHIMES service (01896 750173) or by speaking to someone through their school such as a teacher.

Rob McCulloch-Graham, Chief Officer, Health & Social Care, said: “It is important that people in the Borders recognise when they are a carer and that they know how to access the emotional and practical support available to them. You are a carer if you provide, or intend to provide, unpaid help and support to someone who is ill, frail or has a disability, mental health issues or addiction. This could a parent looking after their child who needs extra support or you could be helping to look after your parent, neighbour or spouse.”

Lynn Gallacher, Manager at Borders Carers Centre, said: “Carers have been hit particularly hard as a result of the ongoing pandemic and it is vital that they have access to and know where to get the support they need. The health and well-being of unpaid carers is a priority, without their vital contribution our health and social care system would simply collapse.”

All carers in Scotland have the right to a personalised plan to explore what support would be helpful for them.

For more information on local support available from Borders Carers Centre via their website or by calling 01896 752431 (10am to 4pm Monday to Thursday & 10am - 2pm Friday).

There is further information for carers on the Scottish Borders Council website. The Scottish Borders Council website also has information for young carers.  

For more information on national support available to carers is available on the NHS Inform website or by calling 0800 011 3200 (lines are open Monday- Friday, 9am – 5pm).