Edinburgh has a fairly wide range of support for carers, from one-to-one advice and emotional support through to short breaks, emergency planning, and help with finances and benefits. You can also get support with an Adult Carer Support Plan, hospital discharge, and connecting to local carer groups.
| Support available | What Edinburgh offers | How to access it |
|---|---|---|
| Advice and information | One-to-one advice and ongoing support for unpaid carers | Call the Carer Support Team on 0131 536 3371, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, or use the Ask for support for a carer form |
| Emotional support | Emotional support and counselling | Contact the Carer Support Team or local carer support organisations |
| Practical support | Peer support, befriending, training, and complementary therapies | Contact the Carer Support Team or local partner organisations |
| Financial help | Support accessing grants and benefits, and help with finances | Contact the Carer Support Team or apply through support services such as VOCAL where relevant |
| Short breaks | Short breaks and replacement care (respite), including residential breaks, day trips, activities, and flexible funding | See Short breaks for carers |
| Emergency planning | Emergency planning and a Carer’s Emergency Card | Ask through carer support services |
| Care planning | A Future Care Plan and an Adult Carer Support Plan | Use the Ask for support for a carer form or call 0131 536 3371 |
| Hospital support | Support while the person you care for is in hospital | Ask about Hospital Discharge Carer Support |
| Local groups | Support from local charities and organisations, including group support, carer forums, advocacy, and counselling | Use VOCAL’s Carer Support Finder, iThrive, or the EVOC Red Book |
Edinburgh also says carers don’t have to live with the person they care for, and a worker may be based in the council partnership or one of its partner organisations. If you want to get started, the online form is the simplest route.