Resources
Accessing timely and accurate information can empower you to make informed decisions about the care you provide. This knowledge can boost your confidence in managing your caring role, understand the needs of the person you care for, reduce feelings of isolation and stress and support your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Carers Rights
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 is legislation in Scotland aimed at improving the support for unpaid carers. The Act acknowledges the significant role that you play in the health and social care system and seeks to enhance your rights and access to support services. You can see a range of information on your rights here…
Health and Wellbeing
Caring for others can be rewarding but at times can also be emotionally demanding. Good health and wellbeing help carers cope with stress, reduce feelings of burnout, and maintain a positive outlook, which is essential for both your wellbeing and the wellbeing of those you care for.
NL Leisure’s Active Health Programme, in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire, provides a range of supported programmes to help individuals and carers realise the benefits of becoming more physically active and assisting those who are recovering from minor or serious illness.
To find out more about the referral process you can contact Melanie Menzies – health and wellbeing manager on 01236 618310, CONTACT US or READ MORE HERE.
It is important to prioritise your own mental health and wellbeing too. Caring for others can be challenging and looking after yourself ensures you can continue to provide the best support. NHS Lanarkshire has a useful resource online which you can VIEW HERE.
Emergency & Future Planning
At NLCT, Future planning is a key focus, where we encourage carers to consider essential legal and financial arrangements, such as Guardianship, Powers of Attorney (PoA), and Wills, including Trusts. We also advocate for the uptake of Adult Carer Support Plans (ACSP), which incorporate future planning as part of their framework. As a carer you have a right to an ACSP. If you or the person you care for has a social worker, they have a duty to undertake this for you. You can also access this service through Lanarkshire Carers, or you can complete it on your own, if you wish.
We also actively promote the use of Emergency Plans and Anticipatory Care Plans, recognising their distinct purposes in supporting carers and their loved ones.
An Emergency Plan, as developed by Enable Scotland, is a document designed to provide essential information and guidance to support someone during unexpected situations. It ensures that the individual’s care and support continue seamlessly if their primary carer or usual support is unavailable due to an emergency.
An Anticipatory Care Plan is a person-centred, proactive approach to planning care and support for individuals, particularly those living with long-term conditions, complex health needs, or frailty. It is designed to ensure that a person’s wishes, preferences, and goals are respected and met as their health changes or during times of crisis.
Carer Support
In North Lanarkshire, carer support refers to the range of services, resources, and interventions designed to assist carers in their role of looking after someone with a disability, illness, or additional support needs. This support aims to improve and sustain carers’ well-being, enable them to continue in their caring role if they choose, and help them maintain a life alongside caring.
Carer support is underpinned by the principles of choice, dignity, and respect, recognising carers as Equal Partners in Care. There are many ways to access Carer Support with a range of providers across the area. Contact us for a tailored, person centred advice on the most suitable support for you and your needs.
Short Breaks
A short break is a form of support designed to provide carers with time away from their caring role, or from the daily routine of caring. These breaks help carers recharge, maintain their own health and well-being, and sustain their ability to provide care. Short breaks are tailored to meet the specific needs and circumstances of both the carer and the person they care for. A break can take the form of a cash grant, time away for the carer alone or with the person they care for, or an activity of their choosing. Short breaks aim to benefit both the carer and the cared-for person, helping maintain their relationship and improve their quality of life. We support various initiatives to provide accessible, flexible, and meaningful short break opportunities. . Contact us for a tailored, person centred advice on the most suitable support for you and your needs.
Income Maximisation & Benefits
The Tackling Poverty Team in North Lanarkshire, Scotland offers free, confidential and practical advice to people experiencing financial difficulties, including unpaid carers.
The team’s services include debt advice, welfare rights, and information on affordable credit options. To contact the Tackling Poverty Team in North Lanarkshire, you can call 01698 332551 or email TPTeam@northlan.gov.uk. Additional resources can be found here…
“Carers are the foundation of the entire social care system, they are providers of services, and until we see a break from their service as a statutory right, we have a moral duty to ensure small, regular, and more substantial breaks are provided in a person-centred manner.”
Education & Training Opportunities
NLCT has a firm commitment to meaningful engagement with carers to ensure your collective voices are heard. It is crucial that carers shape services and policy that affects you both during initial consultation and throughout accessing services. One of the ways we promise to do this is to provide bespoke and customised training to carers. In Autumn 2025 we will be delivering our Recognition to Rights Programme, if you would like to find out more about this or to receive person centred advice tailored to your own circumstances, please contact us.
Advocacy
Advocacy is the process of supporting, representing, or empowering individuals or groups to ensure their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and their needs are addressed. Advocacy can take various forms, ranging from speaking on behalf of someone who cannot advocate for themselves to enabling individuals to express their own views and make informed decisions. There are different providers offering services to different groups, and if advocacy is required, our helpful team can link you or the person you care for into the most appropriate service for your needs. There is also a useful resource, below for carers to support them to self-advocate.
Bereavement Support
Losing a loved one is incredibly painful, and it’s important to know that there are support services available both locally and nationally to help you through this challenging period. Many communities offer local support groups where people can share their experiences and help one another heal.
Please take it one day at a time and remember you’re not alone. Our team are ready to provide information on local supports when you are ready to reach out.
Condition Specific Support
Seeking peer support from condition-specific groups can be incredibly valuable for carers, you can seek support through shared experiences and understanding, emotional support and comfort and can even gain tips and advice from other carers going through similar experiences.
North Lanarkshire host a variety of condition-specific groups ready to help, to find out more please contact us.
Other useful resources
The information provided here is not exhaustive, and there are many local services available that can assist you with any of the topics listed. If you would like to learn more or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact our experienced staff team. We are here for a friendly chat and to provide you with any information or guidance you may need to suit your individual needs.
AIRDRIE SOCIAL WORK LOCALITY
92 Hallcraig Street
Airdrie ML6 6AW
AirdRecServices@northlan.gov.uk
01236 757000
BELLSHILL SOCIAL WORK LOCALITY
95 Main Street
Bellshill ML4 3DZ
BellRecServices@northlan.gov.uk
01698 346666
COATBRIDGE SOCIAL WORK LOCALITY
Buchanan Centre
126-130 Main Street
Coatbridge ML5 3BJ
CoatRecServices@northlan.gov.uk
01236 622100
CUMBERNAULD SOCIAL WORK LOCALITY
Bron Chambers, Bron Way
North Carbrain Road
Cumbernauld G67 1DZ
CumbRecServices@northlan.gov.uk
01236 638700
MOTHERWELL SOCIAL WORK LOCALITY
Dalziel Building
7 Scott Street
Motherwell ML1 1PA
MothRecServices@northlan.gov.uk
01698 332100
WISHAW SOCIAL WORK LOCALITY
Houldsworth Centre
Kenilworth Avenue
Wishaw ML2 7LP
WishRecServices@northlan.gov.uk
01698 348200
If you have an emergency outside of office hours, you can call: 0800 121 4114
Our Partners & Accreditations
Follow Us
North Lanarkshire Carers Together
C/O, Forgewood Community Centre, 49 Dinmont Crescent, Motherwell ML1 3TT
We are open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm
Phone: 01698 404055
Email: enquiries@carerstogether.org
Transparency Statement - Cookie Policy
© North Lanarkshire Carers Together - Registered charity No: SC033795 - Website by Redwing Creative