COUNCILLORS have awarded a ten per cent funding increase to organisations which support carers in Argyll and Bute.

Twelve groups – including Argyll and Bute-based organisations and national charities working in the area – have received a total funding boost of over £70,000 after the council agreed to provide extra assistance for carers’ support services. 

The awards will help to fund a wide range of projects supporting all sectors of the community, including after school clubs and activities for young carers, short breaks for children and siblings affected by disability and support for people living with dementia.

The additional funding has been made possible as a result of reorganisation of homecare and associated cost savings. This has enabled the council to increase payments to carers’ support organisations, with whom they have existing service level agreement/ contracts, by ten per cent.

Lead Councillor for Adult Services, Anne Horn, said: “Carers of all ages make an invaluable contribution to supporting friends and relatives to live within their own communities and enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

“This increased funding is welcome recognition of that and, most importantly, it will help to provide Argyll and Bute’s carers with additional support as they cope with what can be very demanding and difficult situations.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The carers’ support organisations receiving a ten per cent funding increase in Argyll and Bute are listed below. The figure provided represents the ten per cent increase only. In some cases the contracts are jointly commissioned by the council and the NHS – the ten per cent increase relates to the council’s contribution to the overall contract value. Where an organisation has received two award increases, this relates to separate carer support projects that it provides in Argyll and Bute.

Alzheimer Scotland – Action on Dementia: £10,205

Alzheimer Scotland – Action on Dementia: £19,180

Crossroads (North Argyll): £2,800

North Argyll Carers Centre Ltd: £4,500

Carers Networking Board: £400

Carers Networking Board: £528

Crossroads Caring Scotland – Dalriada and the Isles: £4,300

Crossroads Cowal and Bute: £4,300

Helensburgh and Lomond Carers SCIO: £4,300

Achievement Bute: £5,594

Cornerstone: £8,800

Cowal Local Action for Special Projects: £1,000

Scottish Autism: £3,755

North Argyll Carers Centre Ltd: £1,000

Total funding increase value:  £70,662