Carers’ Voice
Carers’ Voice is a forum where unpaid carers can share their experiences, discuss issues that matter to them, hear from professionals about local and national developments, and help shape services, policies and strategies that affect carers.
Carers’ Voice is open to all current and former unpaid carers. No special skills or experience are needed. Your lived experience is what matters. Whether you’d like to contribute to discussions or simply listen, you’ll be very welcome.
We are currently reviewing the format of our Carers’ Voice meetings in response to feedback from carers. A refreshed programme of meetings will be launched soon, with details shared on our website, and in our e-bulletin and magazine.
For more information, please contact us.
Clackmannanshire & Stirling Integration Joint Board
What is an Integration Joint Board?
The Integration Joint Board (IJB) is the group responsible for planning and funding local health and social care services. It brings together representatives from the local council, the NHS, health and social care professionals, the third sector, unpaid carers, and people who use services.
Most unpaid carers will never have direct contact with the IJB. However, many of the services they use are influenced by the decisions it makes. The IJB helps decide which services are priorities, how funding is allocated, and how support can best meet the needs of local people.
What do the Carer Representatives Do?
Carer Representatives help make sure the voices of unpaid carers are heard when important decisions are being made about local health and social care services.
They speak with carers to understand what is working well, where improvements are needed, and what challenges carers are facing. They then bring these views to the IJB and other decision-making groups, helping to ensure that local policies, plans, and services reflect the real experiences and needs of unpaid carers.
In short, Carer Representatives act as a link between unpaid carers and the organisations that plan and fund local support services.
Andy Witty, Clackmannanshire Carer Rep, has created a helpful short video explaining more about what the IJB is and the role of a Carer Rep.
Your Carer Representatives
Andy Witty
Clackmannanshire
Andy is a carer for his daughter who has complex additional support needs. He has represented unpaid carers in Clackmannanshire for the last year, and understands the challenges of living in area with limited services and public transport links. He also serves as a member of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland.
Moira Carmichael
Stirling
Moira has cared for her daughter, who has Down’s syndrome and Alzheimer’s, for nearly 50 years, and supported her late husband through cancer. She’s also worked with children who have additional needs, giving her a broad understanding of the challenges Carers face.
Contact the Carer Reps
You can contact the Carer Reps for either area by emailing ijbrep@stirlingcarers.org.uk or call us on 01786 447003 to have a message passed on.