Our Mission is:
“To make a positive difference to the lives of unpaid carers.”
This is underpinned by a commitment to place carers at the heart of the organisation; respect and learn from them as experts on their own lives; give them a voice in service design, delivery and review; help them achieve better outcomes; and ensure that services are accessible and effective for all intended users, regardless of their caring situations or personal circumstances.
Our Values are those that might be expected of a voluntary organisation populated by individuals who have dedicated so much of their lives to caring for others. These are reflected in the conduct, behaviour and attitudes of trustees, staff, volunteers and all associated with the organisation who are expected to:
• be accountable for all aspects of the management and operation of the organisation;
• respect and value each other and all members, showing an understanding and appreciation of similarities and differences of those with caring responsibilities;
• be honourable and trustworthy and always strive to do what is right;
• be honest, truthful and open in their interactions with each other and with those who use the services available;
• treat everyone in a fair, sensitive and ethical manner;
• be conscientious, responsible and dependable; and
• work together as a team, making best use of individual skills, abilities, and experiences to achieve the organisation’s aims and objectives.
We have also adopted the following Operating Principles, which describe the way services are designed and delivered:
• maintaining a focus on identifying and supporting carers;
• ensuring that carers are recognised as expert partners in care;
• ensuring support services provided are shaped by carers’ needs;
• ensuring support services are provided at no cost to carers;
• continuously reviewing the quality of services provided to improve performance;
• striving to resolve problems encountered by carers;
• providing a strong voice in relation to issues that affect carers;
• promoting partnership and joint working arrangements within Argyll and Bute and also with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers’ Centres across Scotland and the UK;
• continuously reviewing the performance of the management of the organisation;
• valuing the contribution made by trustees, member of staff and volunteers;
• investing in the ongoing training and development of trustees, staff and volunteers;
• promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of service delivery and employment; and
• recognising and trying to minimise the environmental impact of its activities.