Celebrating 30 Years of Support

2022 marks our 30th Anniversary. We’ve been looking back through the archives at what’s been achieved in the last three decades.

First newspaper article about Stirling Carers Centre

Stirling District Carers Forum was formed in 1992 by a group of local professionals and Carers who felt there should be more support available for people who found themselves in a caring role. The voluntary group operated a drop in 3 days a week at the Norman MacEwan Centre, with an annual budget of £3000.

On 14th October 1992 the first ‘Carers Conference’ was held in Stirling, with Sir Ferguson Anderson, the world’s first Professor of Geriatric Medicine and an advocate of Carers’ needs, as the key speaker. He was clearly impressed with the group’s work, as a month later he accepted the role of Honorary President.

In 1995 the organisation became a member of the newly formed Princess Royal Trust for Carers, now Carers Trust, and took on the first paid member of staff, May Kirkwood. May continued to be an integral part of the Centre until her retirement in 2020. During an incredible 25 years of service, initially as an admin worker, then support worker, co-ordinator and eventually as our Centre Manager, May’s dedication to and passion for improving the lives of local Carers was key to making the Centre what it is today.

In 1996 we made it formal and became an incorporated charity, and in September 1997 our first proper home at the Norman MacEwan Centre was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, followed by lunch at the Albert Halls with 100 local Carers.

Miss P. Phemister (Chair); Professor Sir Ferguson Anderson (President); Miss M. Baillie (Speaker), June 7th 1993 — 3rd bi-monthly meeting, 7th June 1993 L-R: Miss P. Phemister (Chair); Prof. Sir Ferguson Anderson (President); Miss M. Baillie (Speaker)

HRH Princess Anne with Carers at the opening of Stirling Carers Centre, September 1997 — 3rd bi-monthly meeting, 7th June 1993 L-R: Miss P. Phemister (Chair); Prof. Sir Ferguson Anderson (President); Miss M. Baillie (Speaker)

Two years later the first Strategy for Carers in Scotland was launched. The importance of supporting Carers was beginning to get recognition.

By the time the organisation was 10 years old, we were supporting around 500 Carers per year, and had six paid staff members. There was a need for bigger premises so, in October 2002, the charity moved to Barnton Street, which was to be our home for the next 15 years.

In the following 2 years Carer registrations increased 160%, and in 2004 funding allowed us to trial a new service – Adult Carer short breaks. We started to offer free complementary therapies and a ‘Time Out’ group to give Carers time away from their caring role.

By this point, our Young Carers Service had been running regular groups for over 10 years, but it was identified that support was also needed in schools. So, in 2006 funding was secured to pilot the Young Carers Education Project to work on developing training and resources to help education professionals identify and support Young Carers.

This project has gone from strength to strength, and was recently highlighted as an example of best practice at a national education conference.

Official opening of Barnton Street Centre, October 2002 — 3rd bi-monthly meeting, 7th June 1993 L-R: Miss P. Phemister (Chair); Prof. Sir Ferguson Anderson (President); Miss M. Baillie (Speaker)

Adult & Young Carers visiting Scottish Parliament with Bruce Crawford, Former MSP, March 2013 — 3rd bi-monthly meeting, 7th June 1993 L-R: Miss P. Phemister (Chair); Prof. Sir Ferguson Anderson (President); Miss M. Baillie (Speaker)

The next few years saw demand shoot up, and by 2010 around 1,200 Carers were registered with the Centre. The following 10 years saw the creation of Stirling Carers’ Voice, the development of the Forth Valley Carers Card, and achieving our first PQASSO quality assurance accreditation.

We also ventured into the digital world with a dedicated website, social media pages and online registration and referrals. After a temporary move to Stirling Enterprise Park, made the move to our new permanent home at The Barracks in 2019. Then 2020 threw a curve ball.

We were proud to be able to continue supporting Carers at a time when many services were withdrawn. We had to resort to phone appointments, and the team very quickly learnt how to use Zoom so we could get virtual groups up and running – not ideal, but at least a way to stay in touch, and get vital information out.

After 30 years, 3,300 Carers are now registered with the Centre, with almost 1,400 of these actively getting support – four of which have been registered for over 25 years!

Over the years there has been an increase in awareness of unpaid Carers, and the Carers (Scotland) Act in 2017 means there is now a duty on local councils to provide support for Carers. However, the quote at the start of the article from our Chair in 1992 applies as much today as it did then.

Our 2021 Kiltwalk team raising funds to support the Centre. — 3rd bi-monthly meeting, 7th June 1993 L-R: Miss P. Phemister (Chair); Prof. Sir Ferguson Anderson (President); Miss M. Baillie (Speaker)

There is still a lot to do to ensure that hidden Carers are being reached and getting the right support. We’ll keep working to develop our services, to raise the profile of Carers and to give much needed support and advice to Carers across the Stirling area. Here’s to the next 30 years!