Concert for Caring: celebrating how we care for one another
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 12th September 2023
On 10 September, the ALLIANCE hosted its third Concert for Caring, a night dedicated to Scotland's carers and health and social care staff.
In recent years, the burden on unpaid carers, healthcare professionals, and third sector organisations has grown significantly. The challenges they have faced, especially during the global pandemic, have been immense. This Concert was a chance to extend our thanks and celebrate the dedication they continue to demonstrate in helping others live well.
We invited carers and the people they care for along to the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall for a free night of entertainment, celebration and recognition, welcoming carers from Ayrshire to Aberdeenshire, Fife to Shetland – to say thank you for everything you do.
Starting with a reception with stands from our partner organisations, sharing information and support available to carers and healthcare staff; we also hosted speeches chaired by ALLIANCE Director Irene Oldfather, including contributions from Visibility Scotland CEO, Laura Walker, as well as National Clinical Director at Scottish Government, Professor Jason Leitch.
The Concert lineup included legendary Glasgow band Altered Images and album-chart topper Callum Beattie, providing energetic performances and an incredible atmosphere, all hosted by renowned Scottish comedian and radio star, Des Clarke.
Tommy Whitelaw, National Lead for the ALLIANCE Person Centred Voices project, and former carer for his mum Joan, said:
“Music has the incredible power heal us after hard times, and reconnect us to one another.
I can’t think of a better way to honour and recognise Scotland’s carers and health and social care staff after the dedication they have shown, especially over the past three years, and the dedication they continue to show every single day.
What a privilege it has been to invite carers from all across Scotland, speak with you, exchange stories, and tell you how much we value you – all at an incredible evening of joy and celebration.”
Thank you to our Concert for Caring partners, without which we could not have hosted this night of celebration: Visibility Scotland, the National Lottery Community Fund, Social Security Scotland, Dementia Carers Count, Age Scotland, Glasgow City HSCP, Change Mental Health, Playlist for Life, ABPI Scotland, Care Inspectorate, Strata Health, and Tactuum.
And finally to our friends at Regular Music, who supported planning and production of the entire evening, thank you.
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