VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian): Support for Carers

Am I an unpaid Carer?
Are you a business or professional who employs or works with Unpaid Carers?
VOCAL’s support team – creating an individual plan of support
Carers courses and events
Additional services – Free will writing, unwanted or unused mobility equipment
Breaks for Carers
Resources
Referral to VOCAL
For more information and how to contact us

Am I an Unpaid Carer?

Are you supporting a family member, partner, relative or friend, of any age, who needs help to manage a long-term condition, disability, physical or mental health condition or addiction? If the answer is yes – you are a carer.

Your caring role could be as simple as getting their shopping once a week, taking them to medical appointments or you could be responsible for all their everyday needs.

You can’t always tell if someone is a carer but those providing care and support to family members and friends need support too. You may see yourself as a doing what any wife, husband, partner, son, daughter, parent, relative or friend would do.

If you have been supporting someone who then moves to a Care Home, your caring role is likely to change, but you do not necessarily stop being a carer.

You may still spend time visiting the person you care for in their care home, help with decisions around their care and provide emotional support.

Are You a Business or Professional Who Employs or Works With Unpaid Carers?

Please see our VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) – for Professionals webpage for more information.

VOCAL’s Carer Support Team

VOCAL’s carer support team works individually with carers to identify a plan of support which can include:

Feedback from carers

The Edinburgh Carers Survey in 2023 provided the following feedback from carers on the support they received VOCAL:

“Lots of help with finance, spend time with other people / let you feel you are not alone with your problem.”

“They stepped up when I was completely drained financially emotionally and physically. They helped me in every way to put my life back together and still help me to keep it that way. I am eternally grateful to them.”

Carers Courses and Events

A range of courses, events and activities are available for carers. Whether you want information, education, support or just a “time-out” there is a huge range of topics to choose from, these include:

Illnesses and disabilities
Practical skills and bodycare
Getting the right support
Money and benefits
Planning for the future
Caring for yourself
Time for me
Out and about
Learning & Social

All courses, events and activities for carers living or caring for someone in Edinburgh or Midlothian are free of charge and are provided by Vocal and a number of other training providers.

Please see the Carer Events and Training for Edinburgh and Midlothian website for full details.

Additional Services

Free Will Writing

VOCAL has created a partnership with Bequeathed to provide a free will writing service for you and your family. For further information please see the Free Will Writing page on the VOCAL website.

Unwanted or Unused Mobility Equipment

Do you or someone you care for have items of mobility equipment you no longer use or need?

VOCAL offer a practical solution to dealing with mobility supplies including specialist equipment which you may no longer need or use. For further information please see VOCAL’s Treasure Tree page.

Breaks for Carers

VOCAL Wee Breaks service supports and encourages unpaid carers to take regular planned breaks from their caring role.

Visit the Wee Breaks website for further details.