The Princess Royal Trust East Ayrshire Carers Centre has developed significantly over the past ten years and now supports over 4000 adult carers and over 400 young carers. The Princess Royal Trust operates from three premises in Kilmarnock, Cumnock and the Carers Cottage, and is core funded through NHS Ayrshire & Arran and East Ayrshire Council. It also delivers another ten ‘hidden carers’ initiatives such as a young carers initiative, hospital initiative etc, and these have been funded by a variety of sponsors such as Lloyds TSB, Community Regeneration Fund, Big Lottery Fund to name but a few.

The Princess Royal Trust supports local good causes such as providing meeting places on their premises for many single issue groups such as Alzheimers Scotland etc. No charge is ever made for this service. They also act as a signposting centre for other local community groups and are happy to support them where required. Employees are encouraged to carry out voluntary work and are given time off to attend. A new project will allow thirty volunteers the opportunity to work with carers and this is funded by the Volunteer Action Fund. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers receive many letters of thanks from carers. As a local community resource, they endeavour to use local suppliers for all work and materials. The only spend outwith East Ayrshire is for respite breaks. All activities and events are given carer feedback sheets to see how successful they were, and results are discussed by staff on a weekly basis. 

All staff are given a staff handbook at induction and a contract of employment within a month. There is an induction process, and all posts are linked to Local Authority pay grades. There is an awareness of energy efficiency and all appliances are purchased with regard to their energy ratings.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
49 The Foregate
Kilmarnock
KA1 1LU

t:   01563 571533
e:  ea.carers@connectfree.co.uk

Please Note: All Case Studies Are Based On the Award Submission.