Big financial injection for carer groups

Charities working with disabled people and their carers are to receive almost £700,000 in funding from the Scottish Government.

The money will go to 18 organisations which help people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and sensory impairments.

The cash injection is to help the organisations expand and improve the information they provide as they support people to access care services.

The Scottish Personal Assistant Employers Network receives £109,300 – the largest allocation.

Public health minister Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, said the funding was “vital in supporting people who receive social care services to have a real say in how the services they need to live independent lives should be delivered”.

Ministers said the money supports the goals of their self-directed support strategy, which aims to help people live independently and for as long as possible in their own homes and communities.