The FlightPath Fund has awarded £4,700 to help a Clydebank-based charity deliver a project to help improve the well-being of dozens of local unpaid carers.
Funds will be used by Carers of West Dunbartonshire to put over 40 local unpaid carers through the SMART (Stress Management And Relaxation Techniques) Thinking programme.
Carers experiencing poor mental health will be able to take part in a series of interactive educational sessions that will provide them with the knowledge, skills and tools to manage their well-being more effectively. As well as practical support, the SMART Thinking programme also offers emotional, psychological and peer support.
A national survey in carried out pre-pandemic estimated that the number of unpaid carers in Scotland is between 700,000 and 800,000 although the actual figure is not known. It was also estimated that nearly 30,000 of these carers were under 16.
Strategy and Development Manager for Carers of West Dunbartonshire Kim McNab said: “Caring for a family member or friend can be very stressful. Thanks to the support of the FlightPath Fund, The SMART Thinking project will allow us to deliver a much-needed programme of learning which helps unpaid carers identify triggers and manage stress.
“The project will give those taking part the opportunity to meet other carers and learn in a safe and supportive environment.”
More than £115,000 is being made available by the FlightPath Fund this year to support community groups, charities and sustainability-themed projects local to Glasgow Airport.
The Fund’s committee is continuing to urge neighbouring groups and organisations to submit applications and is keen to support sustainability-themed projects aimed at improving the environment in the communities local to the airport.
Councillor June McKay, who sits on the FlightPath Fund’s committee on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “It was great to meet with Kim and her team when I visited them at their base in Clydebank recently.
“This charity plays a critical role in offering support, services and advice to the many unpaid carers who devote so much time and effort looking after their friends or loved ones.
“The FlightPath Fund committee was keen to award the outright sum of £4,700 to ensure the carers using the organisation’s services get the support they need.”
The FlightPath Fund was established in 2010 to provide financial support to community groups and charities committed to improving the opportunities, facilities and services available to local people. Funding awards will continue to focus on three key areas:
- Employment - we recognise the importance of making sure the future workplace is equipped with the skills that society and industry demands and, by supporting specific projects, we aim to help young people in the community reach their full potential. Awards will be given to exciting local projects that can break down barriers to employment through skills development.
- Environment - to underpin our commitment to making a positive contribution to the environment, the FlightPath Fund supports projects with a focus on protecting and enhancing our natural environment.
- Education - the FlightPath Fund supports social and educational projects which are designed to bring positive benefits and to change the lives of people in the communities we serve.
The FlightPath Fund’s committee, which includes elected representatives from each of the four local authority areas, meets regularly throughout the year to consider all applications made and to allocate any agreed financial support.
To find out more about applying for funding support, visit: www.glasgowairport.com/community and download the application form and our funding guidelines.
Carers of West Dunbartonshire (CWD) provides support to unpaid carers who are looking after a family member or friend because of that person’s illness, disability, frailty or addiction.
CWD is the key carer support service within the local area and has been supporting unpaid carers for over two decades. The organisation has established a reputation for delivering high-quality support and has built up good partnerships with the statutory services and other voluntary organisations in the area.
To find out more about Carers of West Dunbartonshire visit: Home - Carers of West Dunbartonshire (carerswd.org)