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About Us

Originally founded under a tri-partite agreement between The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Borders Regional Council, and Borders Health Board, each partner provided one-third of the funding for the Centre’s first three years. Initially managed by The Borders Voluntary Community Care Forum, the Centre has grown steadily to meet the increasing needs of unpaid carers in our region.

In 2012, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers merged with Crossroads (England & Wales) to form a new organisation, Carers Trust. Today, the Borders Carers Centre is a proud Network Partner of Carers Trust but remains an independent entity, committed to serving the unique needs of carers in the Borders.

Since 2012, the Borders Carers Centre has worked in partnership with the local authority and the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to conduct Carers Assessments, now known as Carers Support Plans. Over the years, our organisation has grown exponentially, expanding from a single small office on Roxburgh Street to our current larger premises at Brewerybrig in 2007.

Today, we are a dedicated team of 14+ staff members, continuing to provide comprehensive support and services to unpaid carers throughout the Borders. Our focus is always on improving the quality of life for carers, offering tailored support to help them in their vital role whilst ensuring they have a strong voice in the design and delivery of our service.

Inclusivity – we involve, we value contributions, we listen

Empathy – we are compassionate, and people centred, we work together as one team and for the well-being of unpaid carers, we value and respect each other

Integrity – we are ethical, open and transparent, we do what we say we will do, we listen and we act

Professional excellence – we have a professional approach, we are positive ambassadors for Borders Carers Centre, we are accountable and responsible for the support and services we provide

Collaboration – we build trusting and professional relationships and are transparent and honest about decision making even when this is challenging

Our Vision

• To raise the profile of carers and the caring role

• To empower and support carers in their caring role

• To strive to improve outcomes for carers       

• To establish and maintain strong collaborative working relationship with carers and all local partners to give carers a strong voice and to shape robust support services for carers

Our Mission

The Borders Carers Centre will become the first port of call for carers and recognised as such by all stakeholders. We will achieve this by working alongside carers and their families throughout the Scottish Borders to ensure that their voices are heard, and that they are recognised, valued, and supported to manage the impact of caring on their lives.

Our History

1995 – 2000

The Princess Royal Trust Borders Carers Centre was set up under a tri-partite agreement between The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Borders Regional Council and Borders Health Board. Each partner provided one third of the funding for a period of three years and the Carers Centre was managed by The Borders Voluntary Community Care Forum. Our Carers Support Groups were launched in 5 areas of the Borders.

2000 – GP initiative launched.

2007 – 2010

2007 – The Borders Carers Centre moved from Roxburgh St to much larger premises at Brewerybrig and Moving and Handling training launched.

2008 – Art of Caring – an exhibition of art by carers in the Borders is held! We also launched our Hospital Liaison Service.

2010 – We launched Carers Emergency Card scheme.

2011 – 2015

2011 – Carefully Does It, an anthology of poetry, prose and art created by carers in the Borders is published.

2012 – The Princess Royal Trust for Carers merged with Crossroads (England & Wales) and a new organisation was formed called Carers Trust, the Borders Carers Centre is a Network partner of Carers Trust, but remains a separate entity.
The Borders Carers Centre began carrying out Carers Assessments (now Carers Support Plans) on behalf of the local authority and Health and Social Care Partnership.

2013 – Opened The Carers Jubilee Garden and we launched the Carers Annual conferences. We were also awarded Gold at the Healthy Working Lives Awards.

2014 – We won Bronze at the Healthy Working Lives Awards.

2015 – PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations, is a performance evaluation system and quality mark for charitable organisations in the UK ) award achieved. We also Silver at the Healthy Working Lives Awards and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commendation Award.

2016 – 2018

2016 – Held our 21st Birthday celebrations which was opened by local carer, Faye Dewar, who was the very first carer to be supported by the Carers Centre

2017 – Launched two programmes, our professional training programme including corporate induction training with NHS Borders and our Staying Afloat programme to help support carers to keep mentally and physically well. We were also awarded the Carer Positive Established and our Annual residential trips for carers was launched.

2017 – The Borders Carers Centre were honoured with a royal reception at the Queen’s garden party at Holyrood House

2018 – Border Carers Centre became a Respitality Partner with Shared Care Scotland to offer carers short breaks through the Time to Live fund. We launched a voucher scheme to give carers free access to treatments and therapies and we were also awarded the Carer Positive Exemplary Award.

2019 – 2021

2019 – We launched our Free counselling service and our Carers First in co-production with Scottish Borders Council to give carers a voice and ensure their needs are represented at Government level.

2021 – We developed new ways of working post-covid following engagement with carers and re-designed support groups.

 

We will work to ensure that Carers are aware of their rights under this legislation and that no carer is disadvantaged due to age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity, race; religion or belief; or sex or sexual orientation, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Meet the Team

Get to know the team members who are dedicated to providing you with the support and guidance you need as a carer.

Meet our Team

Careers

Join the team at the Borders Carers Centre, view our latest vacancies.

View Our Vacancies

Get in Touch

Contact us today to discover the support and resources available at Borders Carers Centre.

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