The public services union UNISON has launched a new project
offering networking, advice and support to personal assistants (PAs) who work
for disabled and elderly clients.
PAs are being invited to a series of meetings in June
around Glasgow to find out more.
Lynne Rankin, organiser for the project, said that PAs
working in the homes of disabled and elderly people can feel very isolated and
may not be aware of their employment rights.
She said: “We are hoping to contact personal assistants in
and around Glasgow.
“We want to offer support with training and development
opportunities and to make sure they know about their rights to join a trade
union and be represented at work.
“They will benefit too just from networking and meeting
others doing the same work. PAs can come to one of the meetings we have
organised around the city, or can contact me for further information.”
Employers’ organisations such as Glasgow Centre for
Inclusive Living (GCIL) Carers Projects, the Scottish Government and Self
Directed Support Scotland (SDSS) have responded positively to the project,
agreeing there should be a support organisation for PAs.
Glasgow City Council is also supportive of the initiative
and welcomes working with UNISON to provide this.
Lynne added: “We are also keen to hear directly from PAs
what matters most to them and what they would like support on.”
More
than eleven meetings have already been arranged at venues including the Pearce
Institute, Penilee and Castlemilk Community Centres and the Glasgow Centre for
Inclusive Living.
ENDS
For information please contact:
Notes to editors:
- UNISON
is Scotland’s largest trade union representing 160,000 members working in
the public sector in Scotland.
- The
PAs project is a new move for UNISON and is working in liaison with a
similar project in Yorkshire and Humberside, sharing good practice.
- PAs
work mainly for disabled people, supporting them to live independently,
paid for by direct payments from social care budgets. Many may formerly
have been employed by councils or are now employed through an agency.
- Training
and development opportunities may include discounts on Open University
courses. UNISON is also working with the Scottish Government and the
Workers Educational Association (WEA) to look at developing local learning
opportunities for PAs.
5.
Meetings details are:
Monday 10th, 17th
& 24th June 10-11am Pearce Cafe, Pearce Institute. Govan
Monday 10th & 17th
June 2-3pm GCIL 117-127 Brook Street, Glasgow
Thursday 13th, 20th
& 27th June 1.30-3.30pm Penilee Community Centre, Glasgow
Friday 14th, 21st
& 28th June 11am-12 noon Castlemilk Community Centre, Glasgow
Further dates and locations will
be added to the website at:
.
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