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Carers Programme

Young carer pushing man in wheelchair

Carers Programme

The role of a carer can be isolating and stressful. A Carers UK survey found that 8 in 10 carers feel lonely and anxious on a regular basis. Finding ways to cope with the demands of the role while getting respite can help to extend the time carers can manage with their loved ones at home.

Personalised support

The Eric Liddell Community is here to support unpaid carers.

Here at The Eric Liddell Community, we recognise that unpaid carers have different experiences and diverse needs.

Our programme reflects this and provides both personalised support and a range of options for unpaid carers to choose from, to best suit their needs and circumstances.

Young smiling person exercising in class
Young carer smiling with man in wheelchair

Support we offer
to carers

Carers Programme

A programme of wellbeing classes and support, free of charge, to all unpaid carers across Edinburgh.

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Dementia Inclusive Lunch for Carers

Two weekly Lunch Break Programmes to support carers and the people they care for.

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Eric’s Escapes

Overnight and day breaks for carers, with or without the person they care for.

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Befriending

The Befriending Service pairs carers with trained volunteers to provide one-to-one companionship offering friendship and support to help reduce isolation.

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Carers Programme

Our Carers Programme offers meaningful support, educational and fun activities for unpaid and informal carers.

Our wide range of free health and wellbeing classes along with a range of free courses and activities offer carers the chance to meet and talk with others in a relaxed and informal setting. The programme also provides vital opportunities for carers to take a short break from their caring role as well as opportunities for carers and the person they care for to jointly take part in activities that help revive and sustain their relationship.

Our Carers Programme is being delivered as part of the Carewell Partnership and it is funded by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.

The programme is updated every quarter and generally includes the following activities

  • Music
  • Art
  • Dancing
  • Holistic Wellbeing
  • Outings
  • Talks
  • IT Support

 “This service is one of the best, helpful services I have used as a carer”

Quote from a carer

Our Current Programme
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Smiling elderly woman being passed a coffee from younger carer

Dorothy’s story

“I had a great time yesterday [at the Liddell Lions Lunch breaks Programme]. I could not stop smiling on my way home. I don’t really have belly laughs anymore but I did yesterday. It was great to feel that feeling again.”

Dementia Inclusive Lunch for Carers

Liddell Lions Lunch Breaks Programme
The Liddell Lions Lunch Breaks Programme is a weekly lunch group attended by carers and people living with dementia. Participants share lunch together and participate in a variety of activities. These activities aim to bring people together and improve health and wellbeing.

Wellbeing Lunch
The Wellbeing lunch is a two-course meal prepared by our fantastic community café chef. This meal is open to anyone and is a great opportunity for people to come together, meet others and find out more about the different activities that happen in the building. The wellbeing lunch is an inclusive space that encourages dialogue and social interactions whilst aiming to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Community Programme
Two people smiling over coffee

Eric’s Escapes

Carers Breaks can mean different things to different people; for example – ironing and cleaning, gardening, club membership, holiday, even going for fish and chips once a week.

The aim of Eric’s Escapes is giving you time away from caring to give you time to recharge your batteries. It’s easy to convince yourself that everything is fine, but is it healthy? Everyone needs a break – carers more than anybody as you’re responsible, and you’re taking care of somebody who is important to you. You can become trapped by feeling guilty if you take some time out.

It’s important to take some time out to look after yourself. After all, if your health fails, who will take over your caring duties in the longer term? We hope by going on one of our breaks you may find that it helps you stay well and feel better able to cope with caring.

If you would like to know more about Eric’s Escapes, please contact Fiona Brown at brownf@ericliddell.org

Befriending Service

Friendship is commonly held to be one of the key relationships in life that gives it richness, value and meaning. Everyone needs other people, but not everyone has someone.

A befriender at The Eric Liddell Community provides a friendly face to chat to for carers to meet people with similar interests to connect with. Flexible to fit around the needs of the ever-changing life as a carer. This is a free service and is offered to all unpaid carers and care partners across Edinburgh.

Care to Chat

Meeting regularly, 1 to 1, in person. This can be meeting at the ELC hub for a coffee and chat, to going for a walk, playing pitch and put, or meeting at the carer’s home.

Transition Talking

Our new short-term service is for carer partners transitioning after their cared for has moved into a care home and/or has died. Partnerships last for 3-6 months to support through these challenging times.

Common Threads Craft Group

Carers can come along and join our fortnightly group to crochet, knit and mend, with no prior experience necessary. Get together and socialise within a safe and friendly space.

Case Study

P. is a carer for their partner with dementia. They were referred to the Befriending Service after concerns about their mental health. P.’s befriender D. is a retired nurse, working predominantly in surgery. Both are interested in museums and gardens, which led to the match. Regularly, the pair visit museums and art galleries in Edinburgh, enjoying a pot of tea and chat in the cafes too. P. enjoys these breaks as a respite from their caring responsibilities. In their own words – I have got someone to chat to. It’s good for me and the person I care for too.

As their partnership has developed, P.’s cared for’s health has declined. However, they found that due to the partnerships they’re better able to cope. Through contact with the Service Coordinator, P. has also enjoyed one of our Eric’s Escapes, overnight and daybreaks for carers. As well as referred to other services within Caring Services and from our partner organisations.

An additional quote from P.: “My befriender is kind and thoughtful and always makes time to listen and understand, which is WONDERFUL, as many times I’ve felt overlooked, and now, I feel more able to say what I need to say, and know that it will be heard.”

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Volunteering

If you are able to give some time on a regular basis and you want to help us make a difference to the lives of carers and their cared for, we would love to hear from you.

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