Organisation:

Ceartas is a Company Limited By Guarantee, recognised as a charity by HM Revenue and Customs, registered in Scotland with Companies House SC264199, and registered with OSCR SC025369.

Ceartas has a Board of volunteer Trustees, to provide top-down scrutiny and oversight. You can find out more about the Board here.

Ceartas also has a Service User Forum, comprised of volunteers who have used Ceartas’ service, and who provide an invaluable view from the perspective of people who have used the service and want to contribute to our service improvement. You can find out more about the Service User Forum here.

Ceartas is a membership organisation: membership is open to anyone with an interest in our work who supports the values that we promote across East Dunbartonshire. You can download a copy of our membership application form here.

Ceartas staff team has a wide range of skills, and many years of experience to call upon. You can find out more about the staff team here.

Our Mission Statement:

“Ceartas provides an advocacy service for people in East Dunbartonshire irrespective of their cultural background, gender, beliefs or sexuality.

We are committed to providing a service based on the principles of equality, fairness and justice. We strive to ensure that the views and opinions of individuals are heard and respected, affecting in a positive way the lives of people using the service.

We have a responsibility to provide this service, ensuring the rights of individuals are always central, in compliance with national advocacy standards.”

Outcomes:

Our work will be driven by the achievement of the following agreed outcomes:

  1. To ensure more people are involved, in control and able to influence decisions affecting them.
  2. To provide independent accessible services which are responsive to the needs of the people and communities we serve.
  3. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Ceartas services.

For more information about the history of Ceartas or what the name actually means, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.

  • Group Member
    “I was glad it was Monday this morning as I’ve got this group on Mondays. I like this wee group.”
    Group Member
    A Bite & A Blether
  • Group Member
    It was wonderful to you see again and be with friends and joining in at B&B. The loneliness was certainly put aside and replaced with love and laughter being amongst everyone.
    Group Member
    A Bite & A Blether
  • De Café
    Very Interesting and good source of Information and good company
    De Café
    Group Member
  • De Café
    Enjoy time with friends
    De Café
    Group Member
  • De Café
    Very understanding of my memory issues and love the related activities
    De Café
    Group Member
  • Walking Group Member
    For me, it was meeting other, new people that benefited me most.
    Walking Group Member
  • Walking Group Member
    Just a quick message of thanks to you guys.  You’ve made me feel welcome at a low time in my life.  The lowest I’ve ever faced.  I really appreciate it.
    Walking Group Member
  • Ashleigh
    Thank you for your prompt and informative reply. It’s appreciated more than you will know.
    Ashleigh
    Carer
  • Thomas
    Thanks so much, this is almost a miracle! Can you do anything for Partick Thistle while you’re at it?
    Thomas
    Carer
  • Olivia
    Absolutely thrilled with the service. I wish my family all stayed in East Dunbartonshire and could access it!
    Olivia
    Carer
  • Alecia
    It’s a really tricky role you’ve had in this case but you’ve done so effectively.
    Alecia
    Social Work
  • Mark
    I am usually apprehensive about contacting organisations in fear of being passed pillar to post. I was delighted when I contacted Ceartas: although I didn’t need advocacy, you talked me through local services that I needed.
    Mark
    Information enquiry
  • George
    There is always someone there at Ceartas for me, no matter who takes the call.
    George
    Service User
  • Alex
    When I call Ceartas everyone is always so kind and helpful. They are all a really good group of people.
    Alex
    Service User
  • Marie
    Thank you for your support at the last meeting. It’s great having somebody independent in my corner: not sure what I would have done or where I would be otherwise.
    Marie
    Service User
  • Derek
    After waiting months, you got the ball rolling with a number of things and for that I thank you.
    Derek
    Service User
  • Sandra & John
    Thanks for discussing things and then sending us some information in the post: we have now started the Power of Attorney process.
    Sandra & John
    Service User
  • Agnes
    I can pick up the phone and advocacy support is always there, ready to listen and help me understand things better.
    Agnes
    Service User
  • Joanne
    I didn't know that there was anything I could do about my situation, let alone that I had options. I feel so much better knowing that I can turn to Ceartas for information when I need it.
    Joanne
    Service User
  • Richard
    I felt like I was facing a brick wall until I started receiving support and information from Ceartas. The outcome of that has led to a much better relationship with the rest of the family, and now we are all pulling in the same direction.
    Richard
    Carer
  • Sarah
    Even a ten minute chat on the phone made me feel so much better. I was becoming frustrated and annoyed at not getting what I needed from services, but talking to my Advocacy Worker kept me grounded and stopped me from losing the rag with anyone.
    Sarah
    Service User
  • David
    It's really nice to know that someone is listening to me and taking me seriously. Other people seem to think that my problems are trivial and aren't worth bothering about, but that is not true. My Advocacy Worker helped me to make my point in such a way that I couldn't be ignored, and now things are starting to improve as a result.
    David
    Service User
  • Elizabeth
    I live quite a long distance away from my sister. When she needed to get some more support in place for her dementia, the information about local services and support that you were able to give me was invaluable. I can't thank you enough.
    Elizabeth
    Long-distance carer