Carers Parliament
The first annual Carers Parliament was held on 1 October 2012 at Holyrood.
Carers Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government and in partnership with the national carer organisations, organise an annual Carers Parliament for carers from all across Scotland.
The first Carers Parliament was held on 1 October 2012 and the most recent on 30 October 2019
In this section, you can download reports and watch video from earlier events.
Carers Parliament 2020
The first ever virtual Carers Parliament took place over three days on the 16, 17 and 25 November, with workshops, a webinar with Professor Jason Leitch, a main event and a range of virtual information stalls and wellbeing sessions. This section will bring together films and feedback from these events.
Video
Main Carers Parliament event on 25 November - watch the video (coming soon)
Message to carers at the Carers Parliament from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon - watch the video
Carers Campaign launch with campaign Ambassador and carer, Jane McCarry and carer, Jill - watch the video
Young Carer Spotlight - watch the video
Webinar with Professor Leitch - watch the video
Workshop presentations and feedback
Carers and Human Rights - open the PDF
Transitions - open the PDF
Self Directed Support and carers - open the PDF
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Carers Parliament 2019
The 7th Carers Parliament was held on Wednesday 30th October 2019 at the Central Halls in Edinburgh. The 2019 Carers Parliament had a theme of the Diversity of Caring. We want to recognise and celebrate the diverse nature of caring in Scotland. Carers have been described as ordinary people doing extraordinary things but fundamentally carers are individuals with their own unique experiences, aspirations and diverse needs. These differences present both an opportunity and a challenge to those tasked with taking forward policy development and delivering support (statutory and third sector) and our Carers Parliament day will be our opportunity to explore what this means in practice.
Information from the Day
We have produced a range of information from the day for those who attended and those who could not. This includes a summary report, workshop notes and films of the day. Click on the links below to view these
- Summary report
- Summary report with full transcript of Ministerial speeches
- Key issues from workshops and the engagement zone
- Evaluation and equalities
Films
- Record of the day
- Judith Robertson, Chair
- Young carers film
- Christina McKelvie MSP Minister for Older People and Equalities
- Joe Fitzpatrick MSP Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing
- Debate (this incorporates response from Joe Fitzpatrick MSP and Alison Evison, COSLA President)
Individual carer films: if one thing could change, what would it be?
Workshop and engagement zone notes
- Adult social care reform
- Carers voices
- Engagement zone
- Food and the person you care for
- Housing and carers
- Human rights and carers
- Parent carers
- Short breaks
- Women and caring
Future ideas for Carers Parliament
We asked carers to give us their ideas about the future format for the Carers Parliament. This document summarises these responses and will inform planning for 2020 and beyond. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute their views.
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Carers Parliament 2018
Carers Parliament 2018 was held on Wednesday 24th October 2018 at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh and will bring the voice of carers from across Scotland to the debate on the future of health and social care.
Carers and young carers from across Scotland came to take part and below are a selection of reports about the day.
- Workshop report
- Evaluation and demographics report
- Report from the involvement of European delegates
- Response to questions raised in the debate
We have also produced films from the day:
- Record of the day
- Opening of debate by Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing
- Social Security and Carers - Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security & Older People
- Full debate
Carers also took the time to record their thoughts on what should the future look like for carers and young carers. Thank you to everyone who contributed
This document summarises the main issues from the debate and provides information on the relevant Scottish Government actions and signposting to sources of support.
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Carers Parliament 2016
Carers Parliament was held on 2 November 2016 in Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
Delegates heard from a range of speakers including the Minister for Social Security, Jeane Freeman MSP and Minister for Public Health & Sport, Aileen Campbell MSP, Marja Tuomi, Chief Executive of the Central Association of Carers in Finland alongside carers and representatives from CoSLA. The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent a video address to welcome carers to the event and Senator Paul Routier, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Jersey came along to hear about support for carers in Scotland.
You can read the full report and watch videos of the day by clicking the file below.
Download report
Watch videos of parliament sessions and workshops here
Download report
Watch videos of parliament sessions and workshops here
Carers Parliament report 2016
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Carers Parliament 2015
Download report
Watch videos of parliament sessions and workshops here
Carers Parliament Report 2015
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Carers Parliament 2014
Download report
Watch videos of parliament sessions and workshops here
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Carers Parliament 2013
Download report
Watch videos of parliament sessions and workshops here
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Carers Parliament 2012
Download report
Watch videos of parliament sessions and workshops here
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