A 'fortnight of focus' on carers for Dementia and Carers weeks 

The experiences and needs of local people who look out for others in our community is the focus of the end of May and first fortnight of June, as local organisations mark Dementia Awareness Week and Carers Week.

Orkney’s carers are the focus of the next fortnight as nationally Dementia Week and then Carers Week take place – with local organisations hosting events aimed at highlighting support available locally.

The local link between these two awareness weeks is that many unpaid carers in Orkney are specifically supporting people with dementia.

This is set to increase, with an ageing population growing at a faster rate than much of the rest of Scotland - Orkney’s overall population is projected to increase by 5.5% by 2037 with the largest increase in the age 75+ population. It is projected that, by 2037, the number of local people falling into the 75+ age range will increase by 116%.

To help spread awareness of options available locally to help carers enjoy a high quality of life for themselves and those they care for, free events are taking place across Orkney – ranging from bingo nights, singing sessions and information drop-ins, to a fully fledged Tea Party for all!

Councillor Rachael King is Chair of the local Integration Joint Board which oversees health and social care services: "Carers are the backbone of our community, providing immeasurable hours of support, care and companionship to vulnerable people.

"Without this incredible effort, Scotland’s social care system would crumble under demand for help – which is why carers have the right, recognised by law in Scotland, to seek support for the role they carry out."

Shaun Hourston-Wells is lead of the Carers Strategy Group, a multi-agency group working towards better local support for carers.

“We suspect there are many folk in Orkney who are in fact unpaid carers but don’t recognise themselves as such - or maybe feel they don’t need any support or recognition to do what they do.

“However we always say it’s best to explore options before you need them - because caring is a 24/7 commitment and while it may be manageable now, events such as a sudden change in health for you or the person you support can quickly tip you from calm into crisis.

 “And being familiar with where to go and who to speak to can make such a difference in that moment.”

Gillian Skuse manages Age Scotland Orkney, which each year marks Dementia Week with a series of events organised in conjunction with other local organisations: “We find it’s a really valuable way of helping people realise they, or someone they know, could be a carer, and that there is support there for them – at the same time as getting folk together, meeting old friends and making new ones and having a bit of fun!”

Sheila Ritch is Assistant Manager at Crossroads Care Orkney, which can be a first port of call to help arrange support for carers in the county: “What we hope to see as a result of this fortnight’s focus is a better understanding of just how important carers are, the huge difference they make to the quality of life of vulnerable folk in our community, and the support we can help put together for carers.”

The Carers Act, passed by the Scottish Government in 2018, enables unpaid carers to seek help and support from Councils and other support organisations. In Orkney, Crossroads Carers Orkney is appointed by Orkney Health and Care to coordinate that support.

An unpaid carer is typically someone looking after a loved one or friend who has a long-term health condition. That can include a young person looking after a parent, a person helping a frail neighbour, or someone caring for their elderly parents or a partner who is struggling with their mental or physical health.

All carers in Scotland have a right to a personalised plan to explore what support would be helpful for them. For more information on the support available to carers, you can contact Crossroads Carers Orkney on carers@crossroadsorkneyeco.uk, calling them on 01856870500 or contact thw Council’s Social Work team on 01856873535.

There is also a dedicated email address for young people who care for others (aged under 18 or in full time education) - youngcarers@crossroadsorkney.co.uk 

Or you can visit nhsinform.scot/

Dementia Awareness Week 2025, with Age Scotland Orkney and partners:  

Please check the Age Scotland Orkney facebook page for event updates and changes. 

Friday 30 May:

• Prize Bingo hosted by Dementia Friendly Orkney – at Royal British Legion in Kirkwall. Doors open at 18:30pm, eyes down 7:30 pm! 

Monday 2 June:

• Men’s Hub at Age Scotland Orkney, from 11am to 12:30pm
• Dementia Friendly Singing, at the Life Centre, East Road, Kirkwall from 2pm - 3pm

Tuesday 3 June:

• Tuesday Group Hub, at Age Scotland Orkney from 10:30am to 12pm
• Drop in information session for carers or potential carers, at Kirkwall Library from 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday 4 June:

• Drop in information session for carers or potential carers, at the Pickaquoy Centre, from 10am to 12 pm 
• Ladies Hub at Age Scotland Orkney, from 1pm to 2:30pm

Thursday 5 June:

• Young at Heart Memory Café, at the Life Centre on East Road, Kirkwall – from 2pm to 3:30pm

Friday 6 June:  

• Drop-in information session for carers and potential carers, at Stromness Library – from 1pm to 3:30pm 

Saturday 7 June:

• Tea Party! At Age Scotland Orkney, in Victoria Street, Kirkwall – from 11am to 1pm.

Monday 9 June:

• Drop-in information session at Pickaquoy Centre - from 10am to 12pm

Carers Week (9 to 16 June) with Crossroads Care and partners:

Please check the Crossroads Care Orkney facebook page and Young Carers Facebook page for any updates or event changes.

Monday 9 June - Health and social care theme

• Drop in to Crossroads Care Orkney any time throughout the day 9am to 5pm to learn more about Crossroads, Orkney Young Carers, the Time To Live fund which can help carers take a break and Adult Carer Support Plans.  

Tuesday 10 June - Financial wellbeing theme 

• 10.30-12.30 – Ewan Kennedy from the Council will be in the office to discuss the Digital Switchover and how this will impact people.  He will be able to answer questions and offer advice.

Wednesday 11 June - Work and employment theme 

• From 10.00-11.30am, a member of CAB team will be in the Crossroads office to offer support to anyone wishing to know about benefits, work, debt and other issues. A private room is available. 
• From 12 midday to 2pm, a Carers Support Group will meet in the Crossroads office - come along for a cuppa and a blether. All Carers and those they care for are welcome and the kettle will be on! 
• From 2:30pm to 4:30pm, Employability Orkney’s Ian Robertson will be available for anyone who is keen to know their options about how to get back into work should they find themselves in the position of no longer being an unpaid carer. A private room is available. 

Thursday 12 June: Younger Carers 

• The Picky cinema will be open to every young person who is or thinks they may be a Young Carer. (Late afternoon/early evening, Time TBC). Lynn from Young Carers Orkney will be available to have a chat. 

Friday 13 June: Older carers

• Drop in to Crossroads Care Orkney any time throughout the day 9am to 5pm to learn more about Crossroads, Orkney Young Carers, the Time To Live fund which can help carers take a break and Adult Carer Support Plans.