Carers Gateway North Ayrshire

13/06/2026

Did you see the report?

If not, see the full version on the Carers Week website

https://buff.ly/ufyY3On

13/06/2026

Gateway Explorers Family Zoo Trip
We’re so excited to share a fantastic opportunity for a special summer day out!
As part of our new funded Gateway Explorers project, we’re heading to Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder on Friday 17th July (9am–5pm) for a fun-filled family adventure surrounded by amazing wildlife.
What’s included?
Return coach travel
Lunch on the day
A brilliant chance to relax, connect and enjoy time together
Who can join?
This trip is open to carer families who support a young person aged 20 or under with a disability.
This eligibility is part of the funding criteria, and we kindly let families know that a little more information will be requested after you register your interest, just to help us make sure the spaces are allocated fairly and in line with the fund.
To help us include as many families as possible, there is a £3 contribution per person.

Interested?

Scan the QR code on the poster or follow the link to register your interest.
https://CGNAGatewayExplorers5sisterszoo.eventbrite.co.uk

When you follow the link, you’ll be asked to join a waitlist, this is simply to help us ensure that places go to families who meet the fund’s criteria and that we can offer spaces as fairly as possible.
[email protected]
Let’s make some lovely memories together this summer.

Join us for a fun family day surrounded by nature and wildlife. Return Coach travel and Lunch will be provided on the day.

11/06/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have to cancel the session in Largs Library this morning, we apologise for the extremely short notice but unfortunately this has been unavoidable.

Sharon will look to reschedule in the coming weeks.

11/06/2026

Don't forget to get your entries in.

10/06/2026

Our Chief Executive Helen Walker and unpaid carer Sue appeared on GMB this morning to talk about our Carers Week report. She said "There's a huge number of unpaid carers in this country and many don't recognise that they are. What's really important is for people to ensure that the communities around them are friendly to carers."

Talking about our Carers Week report findings, Kate Garraway said: "More than a third say organisations and services they need to access are not carer friendly and their own health and wellbeing is being impacted as a result."

Watch it back here from 0:10 here: https://bit.pulse.ly/rij9f0l4r4

10/06/2026

Time to dust off your walking boots and grab your water bottles, tonight’s the night!

We’ll be meeting at 5pm at the statue of the boy and horse (just outside the main car parks, on the way to the tearoom), and we’ll set off for our walk at around 5.10pm. Everyone is welcome, bring the family, bring the furry friends, lets make it a relaxing evening for all of our community.

Our route will take us along the lovely Eglinton Stem trail, looping around the back of the castle, past the tournament bridge, across the river, and behind the play park. It’s roughly a 45-minute walk, but we’ll keep things relaxed with plenty of chances to stop, chat, and enjoy the surroundings. We’re aiming to be back at the car park between 6.30–6.45pm.

Please bring along a light snack and a drink, and dress for whatever the weather decides to do!

The route is nice and gentle overall, though there may be a few uneven patches. We’ll take things at a comfortable pace and support each other along the way wherever we can, the focus is on enjoying some fresh air, good company, and a positive evening together.

Looking forward to seeing you all there! 😊

09/06/2026

⚽💙 Carers Week: Football Beyond the Pitch 💙⚽

As Scotland takes to the world stage, it’s a powerful reminder that behind the passion, pride and performance, many footballers and their families have faced challenges far beyond the game.

This , we recognise the often-unseen caring roles connected to Scottish football:

Frank & Amanda Kopel
Former Dundee United and Scotland defender Frank Kopel was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at just 59. His wife Amanda became his full-time carer and went on to lead the fight for “Frank’s Law” ensuring free personal care in Scotland for people under 65 with conditions like dementia.

Billy McNeill & Family
Celtic and Scotland legend Billy McNeill lived with Alzheimer’s for nearly a decade. His wife Liz and their children supported him throughout, inspiring a family-led legacy that now helps other footballers and families affected by dementia.

Graham Carey & Rachel Borthwick
Dunfermline player Graham Carey stood by his partner Rachel through her courageous battle with cancer, missing matches to be by her side. Her strength, and the love of her family, touched hearts across the football community.

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland international Pat Nevin has spoken openly about raising his son with autism, highlighting the realities many families face and helping build greater understanding around neurodiversity.

Denis Law & Family
Scotland legend Denis Law shared his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, speaking candidly about the impact on loved ones and the importance of compassion for families navigating care.

Football is about more than what happens on the pitch.
It’s about family, resilience, and standing by one another through life’s toughest moments.

As we cheer on Scotland, let’s also take a moment to recognise the incredible carers – in football and in our communities – whose strength often goes unseen.
Thank you for everything you do.

We’re proud to be supporting !
Find out more here 👉 www.carersweek.org

09/06/2026

❤️This carers week the theme is “Building carer friendly communities” and we are asking local businesses and community champions to get involved.❤️

Unpaid carers do incredible work every day, supporting loved ones through illness, disability, mental health challenges, addiction and more. But many are under significant financial pressure.

That’s where the Carers Appreciation Card comes in.
It connects carers with local businesses offering discounts, special offers, and support.

Over 40 businesses are already involved, will you join them?
Getting involved is simple and flexible:
• Offer a discount
• Provide a free or taster session
• Give priority access
• Or create an offer that works for you

Every small action helps us build a more supportive, carer-friendly community.

Scan the QR code to sign up
Follow the link: https://forms.office.com/e/2mhLZzKsZr
Or email: [email protected]
Let’s make Carers Week count.

08/06/2026

🌟 Get Creative: Designing Carer‑Friendly Communities! 🎨
Let your imagination run wild and join our fun drawing competition – open to ALL ages!
💭 What does a carer‑friendly community look like to you?
Maybe it’s:
✨ Extra support services
👨‍👩‍👧 Quality family time
🎯 Fun activities and safe spaces
🏡 Helpful facilities
…or something totally unexpected like paintball, anyone?! 🎯💥
This is your chance to dream big and show what would make the world a more supportive, understanding place for carers 💙
🖍️ How to take part:

Use the template provided in this post to create your masterpiece
Check out the sample image for a little inspiration (or go completely your own way!)
When you’re finished, email your entry to 📧 [email protected]
➡️ Please use the subject line: “Carers Week Drawing 2026”
You can also upload them straight to Facebook, tag our page and also add the hashtag

📥 Entry forms will also be available right here on our socials and through support workers in schools and the local community.
🏆 Prizes up for grabs!
We’ve got awards for both young carers and adult carers, and the best part? Entries will be judged by carers themselves 👏
So grab your pencils, paints, or markers… and let’s see your vision come to life! 🌈✨

05/06/2026

As you know, Carers Week 2026 is centred on the theme of Building Carer Friendly Communities.



Mobilise helps organisations build these carer-friendly communities through digital carer support that complements existing services and during Carers Week, and are offering a programme of free online events and peer support opportunities covering topics including:



• Caring and equality

• Balancing work and caring responsibilities

• Campaigning and complaining effectively

• Specialist support for neurological carers

• Men's carer meet-ups

• Community conversations and peer support sessions



All of these activities are designed to fit around busy caring lives, with flexible online access and evening options available.



Here is the link to these free events, https://www.mobiliseonline.co.uk/carers-week-timetable. There is something happening every day Monday through Sunday.

See what's on in our timetable for Carer's Week 2025. A chance to join in with our community of carers.