Lanarkshire Carers is celebrating 30 years of delivering information, advice, and support to carers in Lanarkshire

16 June 2025

A 30th Year Celebration Summer Dance was held as part of Carers Week 2025 to mark the occasion.

In 1995, a small group of carers met in a community hall with the shared interest of making things better for people who look after someone else, the people who care. That was the start of Lanarkshire Carers and everything the charity has grown into and developed as a vital, progressive and dynamic organisation. Lanarkshire Carers continues with its core purpose of working with and for carers to make a positive difference to their lives.

Barbara McAuley, CEO of Lanarkshire Carer,s said:

“It was a fantastic evening of food, entertainment and dancing. Many carers spoke about the impact Lanarkshire Carers has on their lives and how much they enjoy being part of the organisation and the 30th year celebration. My colleagues and I are truly fortunate to work for a carer led organisation and thanks must go to that first group of carers in 1995 and to every carer who has contributed to Lanarkshire Carers since then. The evening was a celebration with staff, volunteers, board members, carers and friends coming together to enjoy themselves, make connections and happy memories. Lanarkshire Carers culture and values shone throughout and were reflected in the many comments and emotions shared during the evening. It is a special year for a wonderful organisation and a privilege to be part of this celebration. Carers must be recognised and valued for everything they do and have access to the information, advice and support they need, we know from over 16,000 members the impact of Lanarkshire Carers work.”

The Summer Dance was held at Hamilton Park Racecourse on Friday 13 June 2025 with nearly two hundred guests including carers who are members of Lanarkshire Carers and representatives from North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Carers Trust Scotland. Along with staff, volunteers, board members and others they enjoyed a meal and a variety of entertainment throughout the night linked to this year’s theme for Carers Week, Caring about Equality. It was a chance for carers to take a break, enjoy some time together and celebrate three remarkable decades of Lanarkshire Carers.

The Summer Dance marked the grand finale of Lanarkshire Carers busy programme of activities for Carers Week 2025, which included Laughter Therapy, Crystal Sound Bath, Jewellery Making and Singing Workshops all of which proved to be popular taster sessions with carers. There was also a Woodland Wellbeing Walk in the Morgan Glen Nature Reserve and a Fresh-Air catch up in Drumpellier Country Park, and a visit and tour of the Scottish Parliament, for a group of full members hosted by Jamie Hepburn MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

A Carer said:

“Thank you so much for organising the visit to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. It was a fantastic day, very interesting and informative. Being able to meet and discuss issues with other carers was great as was lunch! [Lanarkshire Carers] provide a fantastic service allowing us carers time to rejuvenate and have the strength to carry on.”

In the weeks leading up to Carers Week, ten carer catch up sessions were held across North and South Lanarkshire localities for carers to take time out from their caring roles, meet Lanarkshire Carers staff, access information and engage with other carers for peer support and connections.

Phil Hughes, Board Member, said:

“Friday night's 30th Year Celebration was outstanding. The night made me even more proud, if that's possible, of our organisation. It was well organised by staff who are caring, pleasant, and professional. They ensured everyone had a really good time and are a credit to our organisation. Carers Week is a busy time for Lanarkshire Carers when the normal daily work also continues. The theme this year highlights our services and approach and it was good to see so many carers supported through the additional Carers week activities.”

Carers Week takes place in June every year and is a UK-wide awareness campaign seeking to increase visibility for carers with decision-makers, services, employers, communities, and businesses. This year, the theme was 'Caring About Equality,' highlighting the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, and poor mental and physical health. Far too often, carers of all ages miss out on opportunities in their education, careers, or personal lives, just because of their caring role.