Carers Week: How GAMH is supporting unpaid carers in north east Glasgow
As part of Carers Week 2026, we sat down with GAMH North East Carers Service Manager Margaret McBride to hear how the service is supporting unpaid carers and why the carers she works with inspire her every day.
“Often, unpaid carers don’t even recognise themselves as carers”
The number of unpaid carers in Glasgow is something approaching 67,000. That’s nearly 67,000 people who are looking after someone who could not manage without their help. That’s nearly 67,000 people juggling their own health, work, education and family lives while caring for others.
“Caring can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also bring many challenges”, says Margaret McBride, Service Manager for GAMH North East Carers Service. “The fact that many unpaid carers don’t know about the support that’s available to them can make life even more challenging.”
Compounding those issues is the way many unpaid carers view what they do, as Margaret explains: “Often, unpaid carers don’t even recognise themselves as carers. They can be struggling on alone, doing what they do out of love, without the support they are entitled to.”
Practical advice, carer breaks and emotional support
GAMH North East Carers Service is one of three commissioned providers offering support, advice and grant funding to unpaid carers in Glasgow. The nature of that support varies, as Margaret describes: “Every carer’s situation is different, which is why we offer a wide range of support tailored to individual needs.”
“This includes practical and emotional support, training opportunities, peer support groups, wellbeing activities, and funding for breaks.”
For Margaret, Carers Week is an opportunity to highlight those opportunities and services for carers who aren’t getting support: “Organisations like GAMH are here to listen, offer practical and emotional support, and help carers take time for their own wellbeing, too.”
Are you caring for someone in an unpaid role and living in north east Glasgow? You could be eligible for support from GAMH. Learn more about GAMH North East Carers Service, complete a referral form, or call us on 0141 404 3769 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
Supporting unpaid carers of all ages
A large number of unpaid carers in Glasgow are young people. Carers are often portrayed as older adults, and by association, support is assumed to be only for them. But Margaret is keen to highlight the dedicated support available to young carers: “Young carers can access their own emotional and practical support, wellbeing activities, training opportunities, and funded breaks. This includes a particular focus on creating opportunities for them to build their confidence and connect with other carers.”
The Young Carers Holiday Hang Out is a great example of that dedicated support in action. Funded by Share Care Scotland’s Short Breaks programme, the Young Carers Holiday Hangout brings young carers throughout the city together with fellow carers for fun days out. Offering the chance to connect and recharge away from caring responsibilities.
Building carer-friendly communities in Glasgow
For Margaret and her team, the theme of this year’s Carers Week – building carer-friendly communities – is very much aligned with their core mission: Helping more carers access support and help in their local communities.
“Recently, we opened an unpaid carers hub within the GHSCP Parkhead Hub. This is a safe, welcoming and easily accessible space for carers to get support, information, and connect with fellow carers”, says Margaret.
“Following its success, we plan to expand this approach with more hubs in local libraries to make support even more accessible in the north east of Glasgow.”
Raising awareness of the challenges unpaid carers face
While connecting unpaid carers with support is their focus, Margaret and her team are also taking on the challenge of raising awareness of unpaid caring. Their Carer Aware sessions are a case in point, providing communities with an insight into the lives of unpaid carers.
“We’re delivering as many Carer Aware sessions within local communities as we can. These can help people better understand the role of unpaid carers and the challenges they face”, says Margaret. “For example, many people aren’t aware that unpaid carers are providing round-the-clock support while trying to manage their own families, education, work and health. That’s a huge undertaking for anyone.”
The level of dedication and generosity that comes naturally to carers is a big part of why Margaret remains so enthusiastic about her role, some twenty years after she first joined GAMH. “The carers we work with inspire me every day”, she beams. “They are so selfless and passionate about caring for others.”
While most of us will never be in the same sort of frontline role as Margaret, we can still help support unpaid carers: “By taking the time to listen, showing understanding, and recognising the important role they play, we can all play a small part”, she explains.
“Though you might not think it, small acts of kindness like checking in regularly, offering practical help, or simply encouraging carers to take time for themselves can make a big difference.”
Dedicated to supporting unpaid carers
To help unpaid carers in the north east of Glasgow feel supported and connected, GAMH provides practical advice, emotional support, and access to funded breaks.
Whether you are looking for emotional support and advice, training for your role as a carer, or a funded break from caring to recharge, GAMH is here to listen, guide and support you.
Get in touch by completing a referral form or by calling us on 0141 404 3769 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
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