Jackie Baillie is urging unpaid carers in West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond to check what support they are eligible for this Carers Week.

Age Scotland’s #KnowYourRights campaign is aimed at ensuring the 1 million unpaid carers in Scotland are aware of the support to which they are entitled.

The national charity for older people, has found that too often unpaid carers miss out on what they are entitled to or feel they must fight for their rights.

This can include support from their local authority or health board with information, advice, finances, training, or involvement in decisions such as hospital discharge planning. Older carers could have an “underlying entitlement” to Carers Allowance which could increase their Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.

This Carers Week, the charity is launching their #KnowYourRights campaign to direct unpaid carers to their free training courses, information guides and 0800 12 44 222 helpline which are designed to support them to better understand and realise their rights.

The MSP for Dumbarton constituency has added her voice to the new campaign, urging local carers to check in with the charity to make sure they know their rights and are not missing out on any support.

Jackie Baillie said: “Carers in Scotland make an invaluable contribution to our society and we must do all we can to ensure they are supported.

“They should not have to fight for their rights but, unfortunately, they are often forced to do so.

“By supporting Age Scotland’s Know Your Rights campaign, I hope more carers in West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond will be able to use the charity’s useful resources, learn more about their rights, and feel empowered to act on them.”

Age Scotland’s Chief Executive Brian Sloan said: “With carers at the forefront of the lingering pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever that they are aware of their rights and supported to realise them.

“We hear from many unpaid carers who are unsure or unaware about their rights due to exhaustion, isolation, not knowing where to seek support or not being informed about them when in contact with professionals. As such they may only seek help once a crisis occurs. We want to help them access the right information in a way which suits them.

“We also know that many carers don’t actually recognise that they are in this role, feeling that they are just doing the decent thing and helping out. But it means that they are missing the support which should be available to them.

“By understanding more about their rights, carers can be better prepared to tackle the complex and often frustrating challenges they can face.”

Carers can find out more about Age Scotland’s training and workshops, and information guides to support them at www.age.scot/CarersRights or call their helpline on 0800 12 44 222.