Three-year grant to benefit carers in West Lothian

Carers of West Lothian, network member of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, has received a life transitions grant of £190,791 over three years from the Big Lottery Fund, to finance its ‘Supporting Older People New to Caring’ project.

West Lothian is predicted to have the fastest growing population of older people of any local authority area in Scotland. The project will reach 500 people over 50 who are new to their caring role or who are experiencing a change in their caring role.

The fund will help carers to receive advocacy, counselling, group support, and skills and confidence training, as well as information on entitlements and other useful organisations. The project, which will employ two new part-time posts, will also help carers who are working to stay in employment.

Allen Jack, 55, resident of West Calder in West Lothian, looks after his mother-in-law Margaret. He finds his caring role difficult at times and has, in the past, not coped despite telling people otherwise. Allen has already benefitted from the services of the Carers of West Lothian – the centre put him in touch with a carers’ group where he could meet people in the same boat and “let off steam” - and will now gain further support from the project which aims to increase confidence and improve self-esteem.

Allen says: “Carers are often the ones who appear to be invisible to the health profession, other agencies and even their families. The focus usually tends to be on the person they are looking after – not the carer themselves.

“The practical advice I got from Carers of West Lothian was invaluable and I doubt I would have survived long without it.”

Mary-Denise McKernan, manager of Carers of West Lothian, added: “I am absolutely delighted that Carers of West Lothian has been given this money. It will allow us to offer much more personalised support to people over 50 who are either becoming carers for the first time or experiencing a change in their caring role.

“We know from our experiences of supporting carers that many people become carers for the first time as they become older. Many are forced to give up work because of their caring responsibilities. This results in severe financial hardship.

“The grant will also allow us to support these carers so they can continue to work while looking after their spouse, parent or other relative. This is really good news for our organisation and for unpaid carers in West Lothian.”

Carers of West Lothian is situated in the Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn EH52 5LH, phone 01506 771750.