To strengthen support for carers now and for future generations, VOCAL actively seeks carer views and engagement to determine what support might be important to carers in the future.

Since 2011, VOCAL has carried out a bi-annual survey of unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Lothian as an opportunity for carer to comment on the impact of caring on their lives, carer support services and the services provided by VOCAL. The findings from previous surveys were shared with NHS and local authority partners to inform the development of the Edinburgh and Midlothian Carer Strategies.

Carer survey 2021

VOCAL conducted the 2021 Carer Survey jointly with partner agencies and Scotinform. Over 1,200 carers caring for someone in Edinburgh and Midlothian shared their views and experiences.

Carers’ responses have been analysed and the findings are outlined in the reports below:
2021 Carer Survey full report (PDF) 2021 Carer Survey Edinburgh report (PDF) 2021 Carer Survey Midlothian report (PDF)

Carer survey 2017

VOCAL commissioned Scotinform to carry out the 2017 carer survey with over 10,300 surveys sent out to carers in Edinburgh (7,984) and Midlothian (2,291). There was a 12% return rate for Edinburgh and 13% for Midlothian, making a total of 1,228 responses.

Carers’ responses have been analysed and the findings are outlined in the reports below:
2017 VOCAL Carer Survey combined report (PDF) 2017 Edinburgh Carer Survey summary report (PDF) 2017 Edinburgh Carer Survey full report (PDF) 2017 Midlothian Carer Survey summary report (PDF) 2017 Midlothian Carer Survey full report (PDF)

Carer survey 2015

In the latest survey in October 2015, nearly 7,000 carers were invited by VOCAL to take part. Questions focussed on carers’ experiences, the quality of VOCAL support and priorities for the future developments.

940 carers responded and the full findings of the survey are available here.

Download the 2015 Edinburgh Carer Survey summary (PDF) Download the 2015 Edinburgh Carer Survey report (full) (PDF) Download the 2015 Midlothian Carer Survey summary (PDF) Download the 2015 Midlothian Carer Survey report (full) (PDF)

You can download the results of the previous 2011 and 2013 surveys below.