More than £9 million is being made available over the next three years to give people who access social care more choice and control over decisions relating to their care.

This funding builds on an additional £2 billion investment in social care and integration, as part of the Scottish Budget for 2024-25, and delivers on the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase spending by 25% over this Parliament – two years ahead of the original target.

The funding for the national ‘Support in the Right Direction’ programme will enable organisations to deliver independent support and advocacy to help people live independently and participate in all aspects of life.

The grants are part of the Scottish Government’s Self-Directed Support Improvement Plan which empowers people to make informed choices about the support they need.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“Through this funding, people and carers across Renfrewshire will be supported to have more choice and involvement in how their social care is delivered.

“The Scottish Government wants everyone accessing social care to feel confident participating in every stage of their social care journey and be equal partners in their care and support decisions, so that they can live a full and independent life.

“The ambition is to have the right independent support available at the right time and place to meet the specific needs of each individual.”

“Carers Week is a great time to highlight the support that carers provide to loved ones”, said Natalie Don MSP (SNP – Renfrewshire North and West), commenting on Carers Week 2022, which runs from the 6th to the 12th June 2022.

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout Renfrewshire, Scotland and the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely. So, during Carers Week, the focus is on coming together to make caring Visible, Valued and Supported.

Natale Don MSP added:

“With experience of being a young carer myself, I can understand that sometimes carers aren’t aware of the support that is available to them and events like Carers Week will help to address this.

“Being a carer can impact on all aspects of life, from relationships to holding down a job. Carers Week will help to promote the role of carers and how others, such as employers, can get to understand what carers do and hopefully provide the support to them.

“Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough. It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces and society, and that they get the support they need.”