VOCAL - VOICE OF CARERS ACROSS LOTHIAN 

We plan to provide peer support groups for up to 100 parent-carers looking after children (including young adults) with additional needs such as disabilities, mental health issues, and addictions.

DEVELOPING VOLUNTEERS AS VALUED PEERS AT VOCAL

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This group will use the funding to continue development of their short breaks service for carers which provides respite to people with caring responsibilities. VOCAL will also review their short ....more

This group will use the funding to continue development of their short breaks service for carers which provides respite to people with caring responsibilities. VOCAL will also review their short breaks offer in light of the COVID-19 impact extend the range of short breaks opportunities for carers and develop a social enterprise business proposal for carer holiday accommodation.

Detailed description not provided.

Detailed information not yet available.

Detailed information not yet available.

This group have setup Carer Support Teams working from home while their carers' centres are closed. Teams will provide advice around managing money/claiming benefits to emotional support including ....more

This group have setup Carer Support Teams working from home while their carers' centres are closed. Teams will provide advice around managing money/claiming benefits to emotional support including providing specialist support for carers supporting someone with an addiction.

New methods of carer engagement using video based digital resources to: • Improve self-identification early in the caring role, providing access preventative support • Express complex ....more

New methods of carer engagement using video based digital resources to: • Improve self-identification early in the caring role, providing access preventative support • Express complex information/concepts, increasing awareness of the Carers Act and Self Directed Support for carers • Offer more choice, options and flexibility for accessing support • Diversify methods used to capture impact, providing opportunity to capture non-verbal or non-written impact • Enhance existing training programme with new delivery methods This will include newly developed material, alongside use of existing hardware and video, with the following activity planned: • Produce a carer identification video and distribute through social media, GP practices and training sessions. Carer identification is a well documented challenge, particularly for new carers who often wait until crisis before seeking support. This resource will support early access to preventative support. VOCAL's Communication Officer with support from carer support staff will edit existing carer digital stories to produce a short and engaging film aimed at carer identification. Impact: Increased number of new carers access VOCAL, earlier in caring role. VOCAL captures data on how carers heard about us, and when they started caring and will use this data to measure impact. Additional measurements will include social media engagement and views, and carer feedback. • Produce four videos tailored to capture practice in Midlothian and Edinburgh on Adult Carer Support Plans/Carers Act and Self Directed Support for carers. Both topics are potentially complex concepts for carers, and the videos are opportunities to present information in short, visually accessible formats without the need to read lots of information, recognising that both time and literacy will be barriers for carers accessing this information. VOCAL will recruit an external agency to support the storyboard, filming and production of these videos. Impact: Carers are more aware of the choices and options available. In addition to capturing feedback through regular reviews with carers, carers will have opportunities to comment online and via training on the effectiveness of the videos. • Use existing hardware and video software and testing impact (with 40+ carers) of: o video calls and video information messages (as opposed to voice or SMS) o video recording of outcomes or activity/impact that does not lend itself to words or text. This would take place during ongoing support plan reviews with the carer. o webinars enhancing the content and delivery of VOCAL's existing training programme. Time, transport, rural locations and availability during working hours are all barriers for carers accessing support. Undertaking these small tests of change will enable VOCAL to build staff digital confidence in using new channels of communication; prioritise the most effective video options and enhance the options currently available to carers.

VOCAL is seeking funding to purchase hardware and software which will link with our existing cloud based case management and phone systems, to more effectively and efficiently deliver support to ....more

VOCAL is seeking funding to purchase hardware and software which will link with our existing cloud based case management and phone systems, to more effectively and efficiently deliver support to Midlothian carers, particularly those living in remote and rural locations: • Three laptops (Dell Latitude 5000 5590 39.6 cm (15.6") LCD Notebook) with 3 year warranty and installation costs included. This will enable staff to undertake Adult Carer Support Plans (ACSPs) and emergency plans on an outreach basis within local communities, at co-located desks with partners and in carers homes. • Two iPad Pro tablets to support: efficient completion and upload of ACSPs and emergency plans; document scanning; benefit applications; video conferencing through Attend Anywhere and the use of a mobile app which links to VOCAL's case management system. • DocuSign Business Pro and Tableau software (three licenses each) installed on laptops. The DocuSign software will enable carers to electronically sign plans and forms whilst the Tableau software will enable staff to produce visually appealing and accessible reports for carers based on their data and outcomes. VOCAL is registered with TT Exchange and would benefit from a discounted rate for this software.

Funding will enable us to continue supporting dementia carers and create peer mentor opportunities for other carers, such as parents.

The refurbishment costs of the Edinburgh Carers Hub

We want to be able to secure funding so we can continue to support unpaid family carers in the community at our Conversation Cafés.

This group will expand on an existing pilot ('Wee Breaks Midlothian'), providing short breaks and other respite opportunities to carers in Edinburgh and the Lothians. It will establish a 'Short ....more

This group will expand on an existing pilot ('Wee Breaks Midlothian'), providing short breaks and other respite opportunities to carers in Edinburgh and the Lothians. It will establish a 'Short Breaks and Respitality Hub', which will be an online resource accessible to carers, professionals and projects supporting carers in the Lothians. It will work with around 3,000 people over five years.

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The project will further develop support for carers helping them improve their financial, emotional wellbeing and management strategies. Through personalised support carers will be supported through ....more

The project will further develop support for carers helping them improve their financial, emotional wellbeing and management strategies. Through personalised support carers will be supported through financial support surgeries, individual coaching, support towards self directed support, and home and domiciliary care planning to improve their abilities in their caring role. The award will pay for salaries, staffing costs, beneficiary costs, evaluation, IT costs and overheads.