Celebrating Carers Week 2024

Carers Week 2024 is celebrated from the 10th to the 16th of June, 2024.

In the last year in Argyll & Bute, Carr Gomm’s Community Contacts has supported and advised 349 carers about SDS (self-directed support) for a person they care for or about their rights as carers.

Millions of people across the UK care, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health condition or addiction, cannot cope without their support.

Community Contacts is there for carers in Argyll & Bute and Highlands, helping to advocate for and empower unpaid carers and the people they support.

In the last year, we have supported people in accessing SDS, recruiting personal assistants, understanding their rights, and funding a number of short breaks for carers.

For Carers Week 2024, we are shining a spotlight on their stories.

Susan’s Story

Susan needed to have emergency surgery and could not manage her caring responsibilities for her son, Nathan, when she came home. Community Contacts helped Susan speak up to the Local Authority to gain an SDS budget. She was then able to recruit personal assistants with Community Contacts’ help to support Nathan during her recovery.

Deidre’s Story

Deidre wanted to care for her mother, Mrs. MacDonald, at home, rather than in residential care where Mrs. MacDonald had been placed by the HSCP. Community Contacts helped Deidre prepare for meetings with her Social Worker and to plan for her mother’s move back home, with SDS in place. Community Contacts helped Deidre recruit a team of personal assistants to help her care for her mother.

Lewis’s Story

Lewis was clear that he wanted a registered support provider to help with caring for his son. Community Contacts supported him to understand his rights around how the support for the family would be organised.

Mary’s Story

Community Contacts helped Mary apply for a small direct payment to cover the costs of a trip to see family and to pay the travel costs for her cousin to stay with Mary’s daughter, Eilidh. Eilidh is physically disabled, and Mary provides all of her support. The short break enabled Mary to restore her energy and gave Eilidh some time to catch with her cousin.

Abbey’s Story

Community Contacts worked with Abbey to help her understand the responsibilities she planned to take on with a new direct payment. She wanted to recruit personal assistants for her young daughter and wanted to make sure she was following best practice. Community Contacts shared the PA Employer Handbook with her and guided her step by step.

Learn more about Community Contacts here.