Summary
The Dundee Carers Centre Summer Programme 2026 provided a range of trips, residentials, family activities for young carers, adult carers and families across Dundee. The programme aimed to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, strengthen peer connections and provide access to opportunities that many unpaid carers would otherwise be unable to experience. A total of 222 attendances were recorded. Activities included the Scottish Young Carers Festival, Honeypot Residential, family trips to Craigtoun Country Park and Brechin Castle, the Five Sisters Zoo trip, Adult carer outing to the Edinburgh Fringe, and an Adult residential wellbeing break at Cray House The programme had a significant positive impact on young carers, who reported increased confidence, new friendships, improved social connections and valuable breaks from their caring responsibilities. Residential opportunities and day trips provided opportunities to relax, try new activities and enjoy positive experiences focused on their own needs. Parents also reported improvements in their children's confidence, wellbeing and happiness following participation. Family activities were particularly well received, enabling unpaid carers and family members to spend quality time together in a relaxed and supportive environment. The provision of transport, meals and organised activities reduced both financial and practical barriers, allowing families to create positive memories and access experiences that many could not otherwise afford. For adult carers, the programme provided vital respite opportunities, wellbeing support and peer connection. Participants valued the chance to meet others in similar situations, take time away from caring responsibilities and focus on their own wellbeing. The residential break at Cray House was especially beneficial, with unpaid carers reporting reduced stress and anxiety, improved wellbeing and increased resilience. Key factors contributing to the programme's success included early planning, strong teamwork, dedicated activity leads and accessible support for participants. Feedback across all activities was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting enjoyment, improved wellbeing, reduced isolation and stronger social connections. The main challenges identified were cancellations and non-attendance, which increased administrative demands. Future improvements will focus on improving attendance, strengthening accessibility, streamlining booking processes and increasing opportunities for families and adult carers. Overall, the Summer Programme 2026 successfully delivered social connection, wellbeing support and memorable experiences for unpaid carers, demonstrating the significant value of dedicated support and recreational opportunities for carers and their families.
What Dundee Carers Centre has learned
Key lesson was the importance of offering a diverse range of activities. The programme included family trips, young carer activities, residential experiences, wellbeing breaks, cultural outings and transition support sessions. Feedback demonstrated that carers have different needs and preferences, and offering a varied programme helped ensure opportunities were accessible and appealing to a wide range of participants. Family activities were particularly effective in creating shared experiences and strengthening family relationships, while residential breaks provided deeper opportunities for confidence building, peer support and personal development.
The project highlighted that removing practical and financial barriers is essential for successful participation. Providing transport, meals, activity costs and staff support enabled carers and families to take part in experiences that many would otherwise have been unable to access. Participants repeatedly stated that not having to worry about planning, travel or costs allowed them to relax, enjoy the activity and focus on spending time together. This was particularly important during a period of ongoing financial pressure for many families.
Another important lesson was the value of peer support and social connection. Across all activities, participants reported that meeting others who understood their caring responsibilities was one of the most beneficial aspects of the programme. Young carers made new friendships and felt less isolated, while adult carers valued opportunities to share experiences and connect with others facing similar challenges. Residential activities were especially effective in fostering these relationships due to the additional time participants spent together.
The programme also demonstrated the importance of creating safe, supportive environments. Many participants, particularly young carers, attended activities feeling anxious or lacking confidence. The presence of trusted staff and well-planned activities helped individuals feel comfortable enough to participate. Feedback from parents highlighted the reassurance they felt knowing their children had access to supportive adults and positive peer groups.
Strong planning and partnership working were central to the programme's success. Staff identified early planning, secured funding, shared responsibility and clear activity leadership as key strengths. The planning subgroup provided effective coordination and budget management, while designated leads ensured activities were delivered smoothly. This collaborative approach reduced pressure on individual staff members and enabled a large and varied programme to be delivered successfully.
The programme also identified several challenges. The most significant was attendance management. While overall attendance was positive at 85%, some activities experienced last-minute cancellations and no-shows, creating additional administrative work and making it difficult to maximise available places. Future programmes would benefit from exploring ways to strengthen confirmation processes, waiting lists and communications to reduce non-attendance.
Accessibility was another area identified for improvement. Although staff worked hard to remove barriers, the project highlighted the importance of continually reviewing accessibility arrangements to ensure all carers can participate fully. Simplifying booking processes and communications was also identified as a priority for future delivery.
Impact on beneficiaries
Making Memories Programme 2026 made a significant positive difference to unpaid carers, young carers, cared-for family members, and whole families by providing opportunities for respite, social connection, wellbeing support, confidence building, and meaningful shared experiences. Through a varied programme of residential breaks, day trips, family activities, and transition support sessions, participants were able to take a break from the pressures of caring, strengthen relationships, improve emotional wellbeing, and access opportunities that would otherwise have been beyond their reach.
A total of 222 attendances were recorded across the programme, demonstrating strong demand for activities that support carers' health and wellbeing. Feedback from participants consistently showed that the programme successfully met its key outcomes of reducing social isolation, improving wellbeing, building confidence, increasing peer support, and creating positive experiences for unpaid carers and their families.
For many young carers, the programme provided a rare opportunity to focus on themselves rather than their caring responsibilities. Activities such as the Five Sisters Zoo trip, Gala Day outing, Honeypot Residential, Scottish Young Carers Festival, and transition support sessions enabled young people to relax, have fun, and spend time with others who understood their circumstances. Many reported making new friends, increasing their confidence, and trying new activities and experiences. One young carer commented that they "probably wouldn't have been out of the house otherwise," demonstrating how the programme encouraged participation and reduced social isolation. Another said, "I didn't need to worry about my brother all day. I could just relax," highlighting the importance of respite opportunities for young people with caring responsibilities.
The impact was also evident in the feedback received from parents. Several reported noticeable improvements in their children's confidence, mood and wellbeing following participation. One cared for parent shared that their daughter, who had been extremely anxious about attending, returned home full of enthusiasm and continued talking positively about her experience for days afterwards. Parents also expressed reassurance knowing that their children had developed trusting relationships with staff and were accessing safe environments where they felt valued and included.
The residential opportunities delivered particularly strong outcomes for young carers. The Honeypot Residential and Scottish Young Carers Festival allowed participants to spend extended time away from caring responsibilities while developing friendships, independence, resilience, and self-confidence. These experiences gave young carers positive childhood memories and opportunities to engage in activities that many would not otherwise have access to. Residential settings also enabled meaningful peer support, helping young carers recognise that they are not alone in their experiences.
The programme also made a significant difference to adult carers' wellbeing. Many participants described the activities as a valuable opportunity to step away from caring responsibilities and focus on their own needs. Adult carers often place their own wellbeing behind the needs of those they care for, and feedback showed that the programme enabled them to take time for themselves without guilt.
The Edinburgh Fringe trip and Cray House Residential provided opportunities for relaxation, personal development, and social connection. Participants reported reduced stress and anxiety, improved emotional wellbeing, and increased confidence. One carer reflected that they would not normally take time out to do something for themselves, while others valued meeting and talking with people who understood the realities of their caring role. The Cray House Residential was particularly impactful, with unpaid carers reporting that wellbeing activities such as breathwork and reflexology helped them feel refreshed, relaxed, and better equipped to continue in their caring roles. Participants left feeling more resilient and more aware of the importance of self-care.
A significant outcome across the programme was the reduction of social isolation. Both young and adult carers consistently highlighted the benefits of meeting others in similar situations. Many participants reported forming new friendships, sharing experiences, and developing supportive relationships that extended beyond the activities themselves. For unpaid carers who often experience loneliness and isolation due to their responsibilities, these opportunities provided a valuable sense of belonging and community.
The programme also had a positive impact on families as a whole. Family trips to Craigtoun Country Park and Brechin Castle enabled carers, children, and cared-for family members to spend quality time together in enjoyable and supportive environments. Feedback showed that families valued being able to enjoy activities without worrying about cost, transport, food, or planning. The provision of organised transport, meals, and activities removed common barriers to participation and ensured families could focus on spending time together.
Many carers reported that the trips reduced stress and financial pressures while creating positive family memories. Families enjoyed opportunities to visit places they may never otherwise have been able to access and appreciated spending uninterrupted time together. Carers frequently described the outings as relaxing, enjoyable, and inclusive. One participant commented that the day gave their family the chance to spend quality time together without needing to be separated, while another described the experience as "a brilliant treat."
The cared-for people who attended family activities also benefitted significantly. Unpaid carers enjoyed access to new experiences, outdoor activities, play opportunities, and social interaction. Families reported seeing children happy, engaged, and excited throughout the day, with several parents commenting that their children talked positively about the experience long after it had ended. These shared experiences strengthened family relationships and created lasting positive memories.