The Health and Social Care Personal Assistant (PA) Gathering

Here is an update from Justin Boyes about an event he was involved in.

Our carers' Self-Directed Support (SDS) advisor, Justin, was delighted to be involved in the first ever Health and Social Care Personal Assistant (PA) Gathering at the Civic Hall in Perth on Thursday 27th March. The event was held to recognise the important work that PAs do across Perth and Kinross - which often goes unnoticed within the wider social care landscape - and was organised alongside our partners from Support Choices and the Centre for Inclusive Living Perth and Kinross (CILPK). 

The event was an opportunity for PAs and people using PAs to find out more about the support that is available locally and had stallholders from the Personal Assistant Network Scotland (PANS), Mark Bates Insurance, PKC Training & Development Team, UHI Perth and others. The event culminated with an awards ceremony where 15 local PAs received trophies and certificates for their work. Top prize went to PA Elizabeth Bridge, who was awarded a £50 M&S voucher donated by the Carers Centre and a bottle of fizz donated by Mark Bates Insurance. The Carers Centre also made sure that everyone was provided with teas, coffees and biscuits throughout the day! 

The event was evidence of the success of our partnership with Support Choices and CILPK and it is hoped that it will become an annual fixture in the local social care calendar.