Adoption UK Scotland has received funding from the Scottish Government’s Whole Family Wellbeing Fund to provide additional therapeutic and educational support for kinship families in four local authority areas over two years through its new Foundations for Families initiative.
An informal afternoon of coffee, cake and chat is being held at The Storehouse Restaurant, Bridge Street Wynd, Kirkwall on Tuesday 14 March from 1pm-3pm.
The charity is now calling on local authorities to offer support to agencies and carers in those areas who wish to set up their own groups.
The Carer Support Payment will be the 14th benefit to be introduced into Scotland. A pilot project of the new benefit will run towards the end of 2023 with the new payment planned to begin in the Spring of 2024.
90% of unpaid carers said that they are spending more time caring and 82% saying they have had no respite since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Our message is you are entitled to support, we are here to offer that support, and you are not alone.”Olivia Tait, Manager at Crossroads Orkney
“This makes it a very compelling resource and really helps university staff better understand the challenges student carers face in juggling their unpaid care role alongside studying.” Shona Littlejohn OU Scotland
It’s believed there are around 4,000 unpaid carers in Orkney – but only around 300 are registered locally with Crossroads Orkney who work with the Council to provide support to carers.
New Carers Trust Scotland research shows the key challenges for Scotland’s student carer population.
The module will help college practitioners to better understand the challenges faced by many student carers and provides guidance on how to improve support for these students at college.
