The Mobile Emergency Care Service (MECS) provides a response to calls from our service users. An alarm is installed in people's homes. The alarm connects through the  telephone line to our control centre. Alarm calls are made through a pull-cord system, an alarm unit with a trigger device or telecare equipment, such as door sensors or pressure mats. This means you can call for emergency help when you need it - for example, if you have fallen and can't get up. When you set off the alarm, it will ring in our control centre, which is open 24 hours a day.

The help you get will depend on what your emergency is. We may:

• Contact your GP or next of kin
• Send a warden to your home
• Talk with you to reassure you

For more information or to find out about getting a MECS  system, please visit: www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/social-care/care-at-home

Strathcarron Compassionate Communities Team help people get to know others in their local area and to be part of their local community. Anyone can access the support that we offer, we have no criteria and no previous connection with Strathcarron Hospice is necessary. Our hope is that if people are part of their local community, with a network of people who live nearby, they will have good support if they were to become unwell or bereaved.                                                                                                     

Within Falkirk we can support people to be more connected with those around them in a range of ways:

• Providing information about other groups and activities that are taking place in their area and providing community support to access these groups.
• Putting a person in touch with someone else who may be able to visit, telephone or write letters.
• Learning more about a person’s skills and talents and how they would like to use these to be more of a part of their community.
• Providing ways to connect people who are not able or who have lost confidence in going out. E.g. by hosting online gatherings centred around interests, e.g. Storytelling and Musical Memories
• "Snow Drop Cafes" operating in different areas of Falkirk, when covid restrictions allow. These are open to all and provide tea, biscuits and the opportunity to meet with other local people.

There are a range of ways that we can provide support, tailored to suit the ways you would like to connect with your neighbours and community. 

Please contact us by emailing: fv.compassionatecommunities@nhs.scot

Cyrenians’ Falkirk projects provide safe spaces for those feeling isolated from their community to gain confidence and plan for a more positive future. Arnotdale House in Dollar Park is home to our charitable work in Falkirk supporting the local community and tackling the causes and consequences of homelessness. With our family-friendly café and beautiful walled garden, Arnotdale House is a visitor hotspot.                                                                                                                                       

Our services are separated into three main components:

• Employability Services: This includes supporting individuals engaging with the Employment and Training Unit at Falkirk Council, providing 1-1 support to link those touched by the Justice System to volunteering, training and employment opportunities and providing individuals on a Community Payback Order the opportunity to gain a qualification as well as developing listening, communication and work etiquette skills and self-confidence.
• Outreach Services: Including a project based in the Camelon/Tamfourhill area, supporting both individuals with a justice background looking to get back into work, and the local employers who would like to employ them. Also includes a Community Link Worker based in Kersiebank Medical Practice and Bo’ness Road Medical practice who provides support overcoming any barriers they may have preventing them from living a healthy lifestyle or achieving their goals, help identify personal outcomes and priorities and, where appropriate, link to other services in the local area.
• Walled Garden: It was brought to life by individuals undertaking unpaid work as part of their Community Payback Order, alongside the third, public and private sectors and community groups. Provides work for those carrying out Community Payback Orders as well as volunteering opportunities, also allows linking into other Falkirk Services for support. The walled garden is utilised by the general public as a place to go, attend events or an opportunity for Wedding Photographs and Weddings.

You seem to be feeling lonely and might find services at FDAMH of use.

FDAMH is a registered charity that provides a range of services including counselling for people aged 14 years +, a befriending service, carers and family support service, social prescribing, a health and wellbeing ‘drop in’ service, a third age befriending service, women’s only group and a range of activities designed to enhance skills and boost confidence and morale.

An Immediate Help Service is available to people without a prior appointment. FDAMH also offers volunteering opportunities across many of its services. Some FDAMH Services need a referral from a Health or Social Care professional, some can be by self-referral.

Contact Information:

Organisation: FDAMH

Website: www.fdamh.org.uk/

Phone: 01324 671 600

Email: admin@fdamh.org.uk

If loneliness is having a negative effect on your mental health, you might want to consider getting involved in exercise. Regular exercise has an excellent evidence base, for a variety of mental illnesses particularly depression. It is also a safe and effective way to deal with stress and unhelpful emotions e.g. anger.

The GO pass from Falkirk Council allows a low cost way to exercise.

Contact Information:

Organisation: Falkirk Community Trust

Address: Falkirk Community Trust, Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk, FK2 9EE

Phone: 01324 590900

Website: www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/fitness/go-card.aspx

If you are feeling lonely and it is affecting your life, there are different things you can try that may help.

Visit the following NHS websites for numerous suggestions on how you can try to overcome loneliness: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/feeling-lonely/ or www.nhsinform.scot/self-help-guides

If you are feeling lonely or isolated after a bereavement Quiet Waters provides supportive counselling, specifically regarding bereavement as well as issues relating to pregnancy (unwanted pregnancy, support after termination).

Note this organisation is staffed by those who are actively practicing Christians and its ethos reflects this. Services are open to those of any faith, or none.

Contact Information:

Organisation: Quiet Waters

Website: www.quiet-waters.org

Phone: 01324 630643 / 01324670 600

Address: 2 Glasgow Rd, Camelon, Falkirk FK1 4HJ

If you are feeling lonely and it is affecting your life, the Scottish Association for Mental Health offers online advice and information for those experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.

For more information see the website at www.samh.org/

If you are feeling lonely or isolated and want to link with other people with similar interests to yours, U3A (University of the Third Age) is a UK movement of retired and semi-retired people who come together to continue their educational, social and creative interests in a friendly and informal environment.

Members of local U3As draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other. It’s all voluntary, run in informal activity sessions covering hundreds of different subjects. Visit the website, where you can be directed to specific regions and local contacts: www.u3a.org.uk/

If you would like to meet new people and learn a new skill, the Wider Access to Schools Project can help. There are a wide range of classes from exercise to cooking to learning a new language.

WASP classes are suitable for adults of all ages, accessing education of any level.

Contact Information:

Website: www.dennywasp.org.uk/

Phone: 01324 822895

Address: Denny High school, Herbertshire Park, Mydub Road, Denny, FK6 6EE