GP Surgeries:

As part of the East Dunartonshire Dementia Network, Ceartas works with local GP Surgeries to offer support, information and access to advocacy to patients living with dementia at the point of their annual dementia review.

Ceartas staff meet with patients and their carers in the familiar surroundings of their GP Surgery, to offer support for some of the non-clinical aspects of living well with dementia. We work to build a relationship with the people meet, so that they trust us to deal with issues like:

  • Applying for Attendance Allowance.
  • Applying for a Council Tax Reduction or -Exemption.
  • Applying for a Blue Badge.
  • Understanding behaviour- and mood changes.
Regent Gardens Medical Centre

Ceartas also welcomes the opportunity to speak with staff at GP Surgeries about how we can support their patients, through independent advocacy, providing information, and referring patients to both statutory and third-sector services. This frees up valuable time for clinical staff, but at the same time enhances the service that patients receive from the GP Surgery.

For more information about how Ceartas can support GP Surgeries, please contact us.

  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • 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.

    Service User
  • Even a ten minute chat on the phone made me feel so much better.

    Service User
  • Absolutely thrilled with the service. I wish my family all stayed in East Dunbartonshire and could access it!

    Advocacy Partner
  • Thank you for all you do for me and my husband.

    Carer & Group Member
    De Café
  • Very interesting and good source of information and good company.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would have done without you and Ceartas. I need to stop talking as I can feel my bottom lip quivering.

    Advocacy Partner
  • He looks forwards to his lunch club and I think his speech and mind benefit from it afterwards having been stimulated.

    Family
    A Bite and A Blether
  • It has been great for her, she has come on so much since starting to come along.

    Family
    A Bite and A Blether
  • I can pick up the phone and advocacy support is always there, ready to listen and help me understand things better.

    Advocacy Partner
  • It’s a lovely wee group from the volunteers to the folks who attend.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • I was out visiting a client yesterday, she comes to both Bishopbriggs & Kirkintilloch groups, she is really struggling but has nothing but praise for you all.

    Local Area Coordinator
  • It’s a really tricky role you’ve had in this case but you’ve done so effectively.

    Social Worker
  • [Staff] do a great job supporting us in many ways especially emotionally when we are having a bad day.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • What a good job you've done focusing and empowering me so many thanks!

    Advocacy Partner
  • I enjoy volunteering and its really good to get to know everyone.

    Volunteer
    De Café
  • I enjoy time with friends.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • I really enjoyed the group yesterday, it was really interesting with lots of good info.

    Group Member
    ABI Café
  • 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 and A Blether
  • For me, it was meeting other, new people that benefited me most.

    Group Member
    Walk 'n' Roll
  • When I call Ceartas everyone is always so kind and helpful. They are all a really good group of people.

    Service User
  • I look forward to writing every week.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • What a team you all are. Thank you to Ceartas. I wish I’d known about you when I cared for my mum. On the way home, [my friend] said she was so happy and felt totally uplifted from her afternoon out.

    Carer & Group Member
    Ceartas Groups
  • 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.

    Service User
  • De Café is essential for families and carers living with dementia alike, it makes both feel not so alone living with dementia.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • After waiting months, you got the ball rolling with a number of things and for that I thank you.

    Advocacy Partner
  • Everyone makes you feel welcome. Staff and volunteers make you feel welcome. They are great.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • I like coming here because I know people’s faces and don’t have to worry about saying the right thing.

    Group Member living with Dementia
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Thanks for discussing things and then sending us some information in the post. We have now started the Power of Attorney process.

    Service User
  • 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.

    Service User
  • 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.

    Advocacy Partner
  • [Staff member] helped me so much when I lost my husband, she made me feel like I was needed again, which is exactly what I needed at the time.

    Volunteer
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Very understanding of my memory issues and love the related activities.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • 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.

    Group Member
    Walk 'n' Roll
  • Thank you for your prompt and informative reply. It’s appreciated more than you will know.

    Advocacy Partner
  • It’s a safe group to come to and nobody judges you for anything.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • Thanks so much, this is almost a miracle!

    Advocacy Partner
  • Before I started [the group], I thought that I could never do this, but as weeks go on, I have found it getting much better

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • Good confidence builder!

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Thanks again, class was really good, lovely people.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • The group is educational and I now see things in different ways.

    Group Member
    Art Project
  • I come here to be cheered up.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • It was wonderful to you see again and be with friends, joining in at Bite and Blether. The loneliness was certainly put aside and replaced with love and laughter being amongst everyone.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • Thank you so much for everything you do. You have no idea how much this means to us.

    Group Member
    A Bite and A Blether
  • I want to express my deepest gratitude for the wonderful experience and the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful cause.

    Volunteer
    A Bite and A Blether
  • I much look forward to the outing every month.

    Group Member
    De Café
  • There is always someone there at Ceartas for me, no matter who takes the call.

    Service User