UNPAID carers across Clacks and the wider Forth Valley area are set to be celebrated next week.

Carers Week is running from Monday, June 10 to Sunday, June 16 and aims to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution carers make to those in need.

This year, the focus is ‘putting carers on the map’ and looks to highlight the work being done by unpaid carers.

An unpaid carer is someone who supports a family or friend who could not live a full life or live independently without support.

This could cover a whole range of causes including illness or disability, substance abuse or simply just old age.

Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre have a range of events lined up to celebrate Carers Week, including support groups and sessions running in Alva and Alloa over the course of the week.

Drop-in support sessions are available with a carer support worker on Tuesday, June 11 between 10am and 12 noon at Alva Community Access Point, or on Friday, June 14 between 10am and 4pm at the Speirs Centre in Alloa.

A regular support group also takes place within the Hawkhill Community Centre every Tuesday except the first of each month from 1.30pm to 3pm.

Anyone needing more information can contact the carers centre on 01324 611510, by emailing centre@centralcarers.co.uk or via the website at centrealcarers.org/.

The Carers Centre is funded by the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership.