On the 26th of August 2009 we held a meeting at Perth Concert Hall. At this meeting we brought members up to date on the European Carers Movement and discussed how carers and local carer organisations can influence political parties in the run up to the General Election of 2010.
Dr Hanneli Doehner, a lecturer in medical sociology at Hamberg University, was our guest speaker in the morning. Hanneli has been actively involved in the European Carers movement for many years and has frequently provided evidence on carers to the European Parliament. Hanneli was involved in the EuroFamCare project, which was the largest ever research study into the situation for family carers in Europe. Hanneli provided an interesting insight into the situation for carers in other European countries and explained how the carers movement in Europe has an impact for carers in Scotland. We also received an update from Seb Fischer of VOCAL on the European Carer Conference in Edinburgh planned for May 2010.
In the afternoon our guest speaker was Dr Richard Simpson MSP, Shadow Public Health Minister. Dr Simpson gave a presentation on influencing polictical parties and developing a carer manifesto in the run up to the Westminster elections. This was followed by discussion groups.
The following papers are available
- Agenda
- Minutes of the last meeting
- Dr Hanneli Doehner's presentation
- Seb Fischer's presentation
- Dr Richard Simpson MSP's presentation
On the 27th of May we held a meeting at Renfield St Stephen's Church, Bath Street, Glasgow. The morning session looked at:
'Living with a Long Term Condition & the Self Management Agenda explained'
Speakers included Catherine Hoy from the Scottish Government and Kevin Geddes from the Long Term Conditions Alliance. The session explained the government's strategy for supporting people with long term conditions and looked at practical examples of how people with long term conditions and their carers can be supported to self-manage. Kevin also provided information on the Self Management Fund for Scotland which has £2 million of grant funding available to voluntary sector organisations to progress the self management agenda.
In the afternoon we looked at the theme of 'Carers Rights'
For over a decade the carers movement in Scotland has fought for greater recognition and improved support. Unpaid carers' contribution to health and social care delivery has been acknowledged by government and carers have achieved recognition as 'Partners in Care'. Is it now time to look beyond recognition to establishing rights for carers in law? Seb Fischer from VOCAL outlined the case for increased rights for carers. This was followed by discussion groups.
The following papers are available:
Copies of the following presentations are available:
- The Government' Long Term Conditions Strategy, Catherine Hoy, Long Term Conditions Unit, The Scottish Government
- The work of the Long Term Conditions Alliance, Kevin Geddes, LTCAS
- From Rights to Recognition, Seb Fischer, VOCAL
On the 25th February we held our Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh. The theme of the meeting was ‘The Future of Unpaid Care in Scotland - What Next for Carers?'.
In the morning there was a panel debate, with contributions from Alan Baird, President of the Association of Directors of Social Work, Cathy Peattie MSP, Bill Kidd MSP, Catherine Patterson, a carer from Lochgilphead and the Coalition's Chairperson, Alan Scougal. This was followed by a lively debate, led from the floor.
In the afternoon we held our Annual General Meeting, which included the election of the Executive Committee and a report on our activities. This was followed by an Ideas Fayre.
The following papers are available:
- Nominations to the Coaliton Executive Committee
- Report of our Activities 2008 to 2009.
- Biography of Panel Members