Charting the history of services for unpaid carers in Helensburgh and Lomond

Before 2000, there were no dedicated services for unpaid carers in Argyll & Bute. That year, the Scottish Government allocated funding to local authorities to assess and address carers’ needs. In Helensburgh and Lomond, a Steering Group was formed, gathering feedback from carers and confirming the need for an advice service and a Carers' Centre.

The Steering Group launched the South East Argyll Carer’s Project in 2000, employing a Project Coordinator and Administrator. In 2001, the Project joined the Argyll & Bute Carers Networking Board and later became part of the UK Network of Carers Centres under The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

In 2002, the Project became a Scottish charity and moved to larger premises in 2006 to meet growing demand. In 2010, the charity’s governance was reviewed, and in 2011, it became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), officially replacing the previous legal form in 2012.

The charity expanded in 2012, adding services for young carers and growing its staff. By 2016, it relocated to Lomond House and continued to work with the newly formed Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (IJB) for funding.

The 2016 Carers (Scotland) Act established clearer rights for carers, but its implementation was delayed until 2018. Additional Scottish Government funding helped sustain services, and in 2020, the charity secured a contract with the IJB to deliver services in Helensburgh & Lomond.