My Story

About Fife Carers Centre

Fife Carers Centre came into being in June 1995 with one part-time worker with the purpose of developing recognition and support for unpaid carers within Fife.

In the year that followed it became clear that the level of support needed for carers in Fife was greater than could be met by one individual and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers along with NHS Fife and Fife Council agreed to joint fund a carers centre for three years.

A small office was located in Commercial Street in Kirkcaldy and a staff of four began work supporting individual carers and raising awareness of the needs of carers in general with Health & Social work in Fife.

They now have 25 staff and deal with around 2500 new contacts from carers each year.

As the MP for North East Fife, I passed the Carer's Leave Act in 2023 via a Private Members Bill, which, for the first time, gave unpaid carers an employment right to request time off work for their caring responsibilities. During the bills' passage I met with the Fife Carers Centre team and carers that they were supporting.

Since then I have joined the Board of the Carers Centre and become a Honorary Vice President of Carers UK. Monies raised from my marathon efforts will go to support the day to day work of the Centre. 

I've never run a marathon before, so any support is very greatly appreciated!