{"id":13237,"date":"2025-11-14T15:03:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T15:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/?page_id=13237"},"modified":"2025-11-14T16:59:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T16:59:35","slug":"draft-vocal-voice-of-carers-across-lothian","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/carehomes\/draft-vocal-voice-of-carers-across-lothian\/","title":{"rendered":"VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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VOCAL supports unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian in all caring situations and relationships, to help identify the issues affecting them and achieve the best possible outcome for carers.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This page provides information for Unpaid Carers<\/a>, Professionals working with Unpaid Carers<\/a>, and referral<\/a> and contact<\/a> details for Vocal – applicable to Edinburgh and Midlothian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Who is an Unpaid Carer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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An individual who provides or intends to provide care for another individual<\/p>\nThe Carers (Scotland) Act 2016<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

An unpaid carer is anyone supporting a family member, partner, relative or friend, of any age, with help to manage a long-term condition, disability, physical or mental health condition or drug and alcohol use.

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

You can\u2019t always tell if someone is a carer but those providing care and support to family members and friends need support too. A carer may see themselves as a doing what any wife, husband, partner, son, daughter, parent, relative or friend would do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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