INFORMATION has been distributed to over 650 households in Dumbiedykes ahead of a series of benefit surgeries, stress management and support sessions for carers living in the area.
Local carer organisation, VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian), has organised the events which start this week – National Carers Week – and run until the end of June at the Braidwood Centre.
The events are for anyone living in the area who is supporting a family member, partner, relative or friend with a physical or mental health problem, disability, long term condition, drug or alcohol problem.
Says a spokesperson: “Nearly 80 per cent of Scotland’s carers are struggling financially and many miss out on benefits, discounts and financial support because they don’t know what they are entitled to. One in five carers suffer from poor health, often as a result of stress, isolation and lack of regular breaks from caring.”
VOCAL chief executive, Sebastian Fischer, says: “National Carers Week recognises the need of thousands of people who care for others without pay and support. VOCAL’s initiative in Dumbiedykes aims to identify carers living in the area and offer individual support to manage the practical and emotional challenges of caring for someone.:
The events in Dumbiedykes have been organised in partnership with the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership.
For more information about this initiative, please contact VOCAL on 0131 622 6666 or visit: http://www.vocal.org.uk/national-carers-week-13-19-june.html
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Notes to Editors
1. Carers and VOCAL
VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian – is an organisation run by carers for carers.
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care to a relative, partner or friend who is elderly or requires help to manage a long term illness, disability, physical or mental health problems or addiction.
VOCAL manages the Edinburgh Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre and supports carers by providing information and advice, training, advocacy, counselling and carer workshops. Further information on VOCAL is available online: www.edinburghcarers.co.uk
2. Dumbiedykes
The Dumbiedykes is a small area of relative deprivation within a largely otherwise affluent neighbourhood of South Central. It has an estimated population of 3,539.
Nearly 200 people aged 60 and over in the area are claiming pension credits, and 300 are claiming income support. 78.82 per cent of the population are of working age. 10.77 per cent of estimated population have a prescription of depression related drugs.
Further details of the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership can be found at: www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/south-central
3. National Carers Week
This year National Carers Week (13 – 19 June) highlights the ‘true face of carers’, with events across the UK. For more details visit http://carersweek.org/
4. Contact
Rosie McLoughlin, Carer Information and Communications manager, VOCAL, 0131 622 6666, rmcloughlin@vocal.org.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by VOCAL. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Rosie McLoughlin
Phone: 0131 622 6666
Email: rmcloughlin@vocal.org.uk
Website: http://www.vocal.org.uk
