External Support for Carers

Alzheimer Scotland

Alzheimer Scotland provides services and support across Scotland to help anyone who is worried about their memory, has a diagnosis of dementia, or who is supporting someone with dementia.

Care for Carers

Carer Positive Employers support members of staff with caring responsibilities, and employers in creating supportive working environments for carers.

Carers Scotland

Carers Scotland help carers and professionals, with expert advice on issues such as carers' benefits, community care and services for carers.

Carers Trust

UK‑wide support network offering grants, financial advice, local services, and wellbeing initiatives. 

Citizens Advice Scotland

The CAS Patient Advice and Support Service is an independent service which provides free, accessible and confidential information, advice and support to patients, their carers, and families in their dealings with the NHS. 

Coalition of Carers in Scotland

The Coalition of Carers in Scotland exists to advance the voice of carers by facilitating carer engagement and bringing carers and local carer organisations together with decision makers at a national and local level.

Edinburgh Carers Council

Edinburgh Carers Council is a local charity that provides free, confidential and independent advocacy for carers supporting someone with Mental Health difficulties.

Laughter Club

Macmillan offer a range of booklets for carers helping a friend or family member through cancer. They address the physical, emotional, financial and practical challenges of supporting a loved one who has cancer.

MECOPP Carers Centre

MECOPP works specifically to support Black and Minority Ethnic Carers to access support and services that suit their caring situation.

Shared Care Scotland

Shared Care Scotland aims to improve the short break provision for people with care needs and their carers.

Viva Independent Living

Viva can provide help enabling older people to live the life they want on a regular basis or just occasionally such as when loved ones are on holiday, ensuring peace of mind for all concerned. Their objective is not to replace families but to complement them.
 

The University of Edinburgh is not promoting or endorsing the services advertised on the Viva website and the uptake of services is entirely at the discretion of the employee.

VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian)

VOCAL supports and empowers unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian through individual support, information, training and access to services. It delivers support through two carer centres in Edinburgh and Midlothian and through staff based in the community.

VOCAL’s carer support teams work individually with carers to identify a plan of support.

• VOCAL
• Carer Events & Training - courses, events and activities for unpaid carers

Carer Events and Training

Information about events and training in Edinburgh and the Lothians such as falls prevention, stroke awareness, understanding dementia, understanding finance and benefits.

Government Support – Social Security Scotland

Recent and upcoming financial support improvements and guidance for carers, include:

• Carer Additional Person Payment – People who care for more than one disabled person may be eligible for a new Scotland-only payment. Carer Additional Person Payment, worth up to £520 a year, will be available from March 2026.
• Help if you're a carer - mygov.scot
• Carers' charter - gov.scot
• Helping Hand for Carers Guidance
• The Fair Work Framework - The Fair Work Convention