Edinburgh Royal Infirmary played host to an emotional and wellbeing pop-up event for carers last month and is hosting a second one on Thursday 21st March.
Designed as a one stop shop for people who help look after a loved one, the events include stallholders offering expert advice and support and workshops for managing stress and information on the various services available to caregivers.
It follows the results earlier this month of a YouGov survey into carers’ mental wellbeing commissioned by the Carers Trust. The charity’s research found over a third (37%) of young carers felt stressed and that 50% of those who reported stress said they ‘often’ felt that way. But despite that, 51% reported that they were proud of being young carers, and 42% that it made them happy.
Edinburgh’s Carers Champion, Cllr Joan Griffiths, said:
Being a carer is extremely rewarding but it can also be stressful. It can be a massive juggle simply to meet the everyday demands of work, study or home and make time for yourself when also caring for someone close to you.
It is so important that carers feel able to seek help and that they know where to turn to for support. Carers need to be cared for too.
Supported by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, the event has been coordinated by VOCAL, which provides unpaid carers with information, peer support and access to services.
Jane Greenacre, Assistant Director (Carer Support) from VOCAL, said:
All too often carers miss out on the range of support and services available in Edinburgh, because they simply don’t know what help they can ask for. For example, our most recent carer survey identified that only 4 in 10 carers felt that they knew what financial support was available to them.
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, added:
Our vision for carers is that they are able to live healthy, fulfilling lives and for the crucial role they play in their communities to be valued. For this to happen, a range of good quality support needs to be on hand to carers at the right time and place. That is why we have developed the Edinburgh Joint Carers’ Strategy with local partners from the NHS, the Council, the third sector and carers. The plan outlines local priorities and outcomes for young and adult carers in the city over the next three years.
The second pop-up carers hub will take place on Thursday 21 March, 10.00am – 4.00pm at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Image: Edinburgh Council