Edinburgh Carers - managed by Vocal

New carers training website

A new carer website promoting local support services and training for unpaid family carers in Edinburgh launches today.

The website – www.carerstraining.co.uk –  is the first dedicated carer training website in the city, and lists details of free events, seminars and training opportunities for carers.

The website is managed by VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian), in partnership with Care for Carers and The Ca(i)re Programme.

The courses listed on the site cover topics such as finance and benefits, rights and entitlements, and emotional support, as well as activities such as exercise classes, walking groups and reading groups.

The launch coincides with Carers Rights Day 2011, and the publication of a new survey by Carers Scotland which says carers are ‘sick with worry’ and are counting the cost of caring both financially and emotionally.

Money worries cause stress, and almost half of the carers who responded to the survey (45%) said they were suffering from anxiety and depression because of concern about finances.

VOCAL Chief Executive, Sebastian Fischer, says;

This Carers Rights Day we are reminded of the additional costs of caring - not just the loss of earnings and serious financial debt facing many carers, but the emotional cost.

Carers need access to the right information and support, at the right time.

This new carer training website is about improving access to information and services, having everything in one place for carers, and for professionals working with carers.

Carers can also use the website's online booking system to book a place on a course. All of the courses listed are free of charge, and most of the training providers offer financial support, for respite or transport, to allow carers to attend.

For more information visit http://www.carerstraining.co.uk/, email rmcloughlin@vocal.org.uk  or contact VOCAL on 0131 622 6666.