Vocal

Story of Vocal

VOCAL is the Voice of Carers Across Lothian – an organisation run by carers for carers since 1994.

VOCAL’s carer support teams work with unpaid carers to help identify the issues affecting them, and achieve the best possible outcome for carers.

VOCAL delivers support through two carer centres in Edinburgh and Midlothian, and through staff based in the community. VOCAL works individually with carers to identify a plan of support which can include work with other agencies, referral to benefit, legal or power of attorney surgeries and access to a range of training and lifestyle management opportunities.

Accessibility

We want our web site to be as accessible as possible and strive to conform at a minimum to Level 3 compliance as specified by the Web Accessibility Initiative and we aim to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995.

VOCAL Carer Surveys

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.