Support for Unpaid Carers

The South Ayrshire Carers Centre is continuing to follow restricted procedures.

Support will continue to be provided for all unpaid carers including young carers via telephone and social media.

As well as providing practical and emotional support, the Centre is offering support to all unpaid carers to secure priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

For further information please call 01292 236000, email Southayrshire.carers@unity-enterprise.com or visit their Facebook page.

A document setting out the range of supports that are in place specifically for carers/young carers or for more general support can be found here:  Supporting Unpaid Carers During Coronavirus (PDF) [661KB]

All South Ayrshire Carers Centre Newsletters are available here.  

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advice for Unpaid Carers

For the latest national advice for unpaid carers, please visit https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-unpaid-carers/ 

Getting Vaccinated against COVID-19

Getting your COVID-19 vaccination as soon as you can should protect you, and may help to protect your family and those you care for.

NHS Scotland strongly recommends you get the vaccine as soon as it is offered to you.

Full details on the vaccine and available appointments, including drop-in opportunities, are available here: https://www.nhsaaa.net/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-appointments/

Testing for COVID-19

Around 1 in 3 people with Coronavirus don't show symptoms, so can spread the virus without knowing. It is recommended that everyone in Scotland test using a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) twice a week, and before socialising or travelling.

LFDs can be ordered online. They can also be collected from:

• over 1,000 community pharmacies
• at asymptomatic testing sites
• Prestwick Airport between 8am and 8pm (You do not need to book an appointment) 

Pharmacies are regularly restocked with LFD test kits and additional booking slots are added throughout the day for online orders to help with high demand.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for unpaid carers

From 28th April 2020, the Scottish Government has asked that unpaid carers can get access to PPE where appropriate.

In South Ayrshire the main point of contact to request PPE will be through South Ayrshire Lifeline operated by Voluntary Action South Ayrshire.

The main South Ayrshire Lifeline phone number is 0800 432 0510 and is staffed Monday to Sunday from 9am-5pm.

The staff at South Ayrshire Lifeline will ask you some questions to clarify if PPE is appropriate.

These include:

• Your caring arrangements and your particular need for PPE;
• Whether you or the cared for person have coronavirus symptoms;
• How you currently access PPE;
• How much PPE you might need;
• Whether the person you care for is in the 'shielding' category.

If it is agreed that PPE is appropriate for your situation, the South Ayrshire Lifeline staff will deliver a 7 day supply to your doorstep. Arrangements may also be made for access to PPE on an ongoing basis. 

Young Scot

Young Scot has a range of useful information to help and support young people during the coronavirus outbreak. Please visit https://young.scot/campaigns/national/coronavirus