VOCAL - the Voice of Carers Across Lothian

VOCAL Carers Centre, 8-13 Johnston Terrace, EDINBURGH, EH1 2PW

T. 0131 622 6666. F. 0131 622 7621. E. centre@vocal.org.uk

   

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Latest News and Information

Subscribe to VOCAL's e-bulletin

VOCAL has set up an email group for carers offering quick access to news and information. We send an e-bulletin every two months, and have special editions which highlight particular events and news. Our e-bulletin features activities, courses and useful publications and resources for carers. To view the latest e-bulletin just click here
How do I join?
Joining the email group is easy - just send an email to centre@vocal.org.uk - say 'I'm a carer and happy to be included in an email group'. If you work with carers or are interested in carer news and information then you can join in the same way.




Carer Information Strategy - summary booklet

A summary booklet outlining the key points of NHS Lothian Carer Information Strategy has been produced. Download a copy by clicking on this link - Carer Information Strategy Summary Booklet. Hard copies of the booklet are also available from VOCAL - please call 0131 622 6666.




Guidance on Short Breaks (Respite)

The Scottish Government, jointly with COSLA, the umbrella organisation for local authorities, published Guidance on Short Breaks (Respite) service development in Autumn 2008. Its main purpose is to improve respite provision through better planning, a shift to preventative support, and by personalising support to improve outcomes for carers and those with care needs.

The guidance supports the government’s commitment ‘to progress towards delivering 10,000 extra respite weeks per year’ for which Ministers made available an additional £4 million from April 2009.

The government is also working towards a manifesto commitment that 'by 2011 carers in the greatest need will have a guaranteed annual entitlement to breaks from caring.'

Download key documents here:
Guidance on Short Breaks (Respite)
Shared Care Scotland's recently published Breakthrough Manifesto
Towards 2012 - joint strategic action plan for carers
Edinburgh CHP’s report on short break services




Online Short Break Information Service

The Online Short Break Information Service (OSBIS) has been developed by Shared Care Scotland and provides easy access to information on all forms of short break and respite care services including: home based and residential breaks, family placements, befriending projects, supported holiday breaks, guest houses and hotels.

The directory is available at: www.carebreaksscotland.org
Carers can use OSBIS to search for respite services according to age, care needs, type of break and location. If you can’t find what you are looking for please contact VOCAL on 0131 622 6666 for more information.

Shared Care Scotland has also developed an Online Short Break Planning Pack. The pack has been developed to help service users and carers to be more in control of all aspects of their short break/respite care by increasing their knowledge about what’s available or possible. To get more information and download the pack visit Shared Care Scotland wesbite.




Carer Poverty Protest - carers demand a fair deal

Over one hundred carers gathered at Edinburgh VOCAL Carers Centre on 22 April for Scotland’s first ever public protest march organised by carers.

Carers and supporters marched from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament carrying banners and placards demanding investment in carers, who currently save the Scottish taxpayer an estimated £7.6 billion per year.

Outside the Scottish Parliament, over 200 carers gathered at a rally where John Swinburne, leader of the Scottish Senior Citizens Party, highlighted the small amounts of money carers and pensioners are expected to live on. Sarah Boyack MSP also spoke and encouraged carers to raise their financial concerns with their local MPs.

Minister for Public Health and Sport – Shona Robison – met with carers at VOCAL before the start of the march, and she heard first hand the financial hardship faced by many carers.

One carer explained her situation:
“As a carer I can work 130 hours a week caring for my son without any entitlement to sick leave or annual leave. I don’t get a day off and I have no right to training or an occupational pension. I love my son and provide this care unpaid – but there is no support or legislation in place to help me”

Speaking to carers outside the Parliament, VOCAL Chief Executive Sebastian Fischer said:
“The carer movement has become a modern ‘trade union movement’ and there are clear similarities to the union demands 150 years ago, seeking basic rights and entitlements to support people in their work”.

Similar carer protests took place across the UK on 22 April with marches in London, Cardiff and Belfast.

Photos of the protest are now available to view at: www.flickr.com/photos/vocal_carers/sets/72157617551064406/detail



Related documents and links:




Don't forget your flu jab this winter

Carers of all ages and anyone over 65 should get the flu vaccination. Check with your local GP practice about an making an appointment. For more information visit www.infoscotland.com/flu or contact the NHS Helpline on 0800 224488. Further advice is also available from VOCAL on 0131 622 6666




Useful publications and resources for carers

The City of Edinburgh Council has updated some of it's social care information leaflets. Copies of the following leaflets are now available to download from the Council's website to order from 0131 200 2324.


Carers UK produce useful publications for carers which are available to download from their website or to order from 0141 221 9141.


Scottish Executive have produced new national guidance on self-directed support which replaces earlier guidance on direct payments issued on 20 June 2003. A copy can be downloaded from the Scottish Executive's website:


The Mental Welfare Commission Scotland has a range of guidance documents available to download from their website. One particularly useful publication is:


The General Medical Council has a range of guidance documents, including guidance for patients on making complaints about GPs:

Key legislation and guidance affecting carers
For more information on the Scottish Executive's response to the Care 21 report: The Future of Unpaid Care in Scotland, see the archived news section of this website. Further information on key legislation affecting carers and disabled people in Scotland is available from the Carers Scotland website


Rooms for hire at VOCAL

Three training and meeting rooms at the Carers Centre are available for hire, particularly in the evenings and at weekends. There is no charge for carer groups without funding, and reasonable charges apply to other groups. The Centre is fully accessible and has kitchen facilities. VOCAL's room hire leaflet is available to download - just click here




Archived News and Information

Please click on the links below:



 VOCAL is the voice of carers across Lothian. This site was last updated: 29 April 2005.

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