CARERS OF WEST LOTHIAN 

This group will use funds to continue their carers support service through peer support social groups workshops one-to-one sessions and counselling. The project will support people with disabilities ....more

This group will use funds to continue their carers support service through peer support social groups workshops one-to-one sessions and counselling. The project will support people with disabilities and unpaid carers through a blended delivery model offering both online and in-person options for participants.

Detailed description not provided.

This group will use funds to conduct some research into the impact of COVID-19 on unpaid carers from BAME backgrounds and to establish what type of support these carers would benefit from within ....more

This group will use funds to conduct some research into the impact of COVID-19 on unpaid carers from BAME backgrounds and to establish what type of support these carers would benefit from within their communities.

Detailed information not yet available.

To purchase new laptops and upgrade the telephone system to enable more effective home working and a better service for carers and people with disabilities across West Lothian.

We want to develop a more place-based approach to supporting carers, removing barriers and therefore enabling people to identify as a carer, seek help and be involved in care planning. To do this, we ....more

We want to develop a more place-based approach to supporting carers, removing barriers and therefore enabling people to identify as a carer, seek help and be involved in care planning. To do this, we will roll out our existing service in localities in West Lothian which are more remote, are more affected by poverty (SIMD rankings) or are in areas where a higher number of people from BME communities live. Currently services are offered from Livingston; through this project, staff will spend more time out of the office working in the communities of Polbeth, West Calder, Fauldhouse and Bathgate' Resources: Existing staff will lead the project with support from locally recruited volunteers with lived experience as a carer. Staff will train and support volunteers, co-ordinate all workshops and training, and will be the main point of contact with both carers and the partners we work with. Volunteers will be responsible for talking to carers about local services, introducing them to community groups, linking beneficiaries together where appropriate, through technology and facilitating or being present at groups and making them feel welcome. Volunteers will be there to offer "lived experience" support in group situations. The above staffing and volunteer costs will be met from existing funding under our IJB Contract. However to enable us to optimise staff time and effectively reach remote communities, we want to make use of technology and provide equipment for remote working. Funding will be used to purchase Smartboard technology for our Livingston Centre from which we will run training or groups, connecting virtually with groups located in the targeted communities or to individuals in their own homes. The Smartboard will remain in Livingston but enables workshops, groups and training to connect real-time to remote locations through a "room-chat" environment. Carers in different locations can then participate virtually in these sessions, being able to contribute when appropriate - being as interactive as they want. This gives us a way to reach carers both using rooms in community centres and linking in from their own homes. We will also purchase 3 laptops enabling staff to work remotely. These will be set up on the network, allowing real-time access to our server and CRM system. By working in this way, staff will be able to spend more time raising awareness, running local groups and supporting local peer volunteers in specific communities developing the profile of COWL to local volunteers, groups and beneficiaries. How we will measure impact: We will measure the impact of this project through KPIs to track carers registering in each community, demographic profile, uptake of support (type) in specific communities (both geographical and from BME communities), source of referrals, referrals we make to local partners, and how beneficiaries interact with our support (i.e. information provided and groups, workshops or training attended).

This group will use the funding to pilot a variety of support for adults with disabilities in West Lothian. Activities will include mindfulness sessions, laughter workshops, counselling, and drop-in ....more

This group will use the funding to pilot a variety of support for adults with disabilities in West Lothian. Activities will include mindfulness sessions, laughter workshops, counselling, and drop-in social gatherings.

Towards the costs of the Counselling Service

The current CoWL website was upgraded 3 years ago on the back of the previous website no longer being fit for purpose. The website we have at the moment has a number of restrictions and limitations ....more

The current CoWL website was upgraded 3 years ago on the back of the previous website no longer being fit for purpose. The website we have at the moment has a number of restrictions and limitations which means that rather than upgrading we propose to start from scratch which will enable us to link it directly into our new database which was partly funded by the first round CATS funding. This funding request is to cover the design, build and delivery of a new website which will: Give carers online access to our whole service The funding will allow us to create an effective web design that is user-centric for carers, allowing carers easy access to CoWL's services such as completing a self assessment online to identify the areas where they most need support, to self refer, or to apply for short breaks funding. These online activities will link directly to our new database which will trigger support staff to make contact with the carer. Carers will also have access to information on all the services provided by CoWL including a calendar of courses, groups, drop-ins, events etc. with the ability to book online or express an interest. Create a website that is responsive to mobile phone users We want to improve our online conversation rates with carers as we know that much of our website traffic will be coming from mobile users. If our website is optimised for mobile use it will make it easier for carers to get in touch with CoWL as they will be able to make a phone call with the click of a button. Online carer training The website will provide a platform for CoWL to translate existing training material for carers into e-learning module format. Our current Mindfulness and Understanding Stress training materials could be easily adapted for this use. Promote and raise awareness of the services we provide for professionals We will create easy access for statutory, private and third sector professionals. Professional staff will have access to the types of support available to carers, and will have a direct route to referring carers, with their consent, to CoWL. We will develop online awareness training such as the adaptation of our existing Think Carer training session into e-learning format. Enable CoWL to track and analyse data and metrics gathered from digital marketing techniques such as google analytics By tracking the digital journey of carers using our website, we will find out what pages or information they are most interested in or want to find out about first. This will help CoWL to understand better what carers are looking for, allowing us to optimise our website to have the most relevant information, content and layout, improving their access to support. The funding request to source external expertise to create this new website and any associated costs to link to our database. We would also look to fund staff training to enable us to do much of the ongoing updates ourselves, rather than costly development work in the future to maintain.

This three year project will deliver wide-ranging support to approximately 3000 people with caring responsibilities. It will provide advice and assistance to adults who have become a carer for the ....more

This three year project will deliver wide-ranging support to approximately 3000 people with caring responsibilities. It will provide advice and assistance to adults who have become a carer for the first time, who have experienced a change or an end to their caring role, or if they are caring for an adult with a long term condition.

Towards the costs of the Counselling Service.