Many organisation provide information which is useful for carers. Below are a few examples:
Emergency contacts
Emergency Contact for East Lothian Social Work (out of office hours only)
0800 731 6969
East Lothian Emergency Care Service
Responds to falls, Supporting Carers in Crisis, Alarm Calls, Emergency Personal Care, GP’s can make direct referrals
01875 618 960
NHS 24
If you need medical advice when your GP practice is closed and cannot wait until your surgery is open
111
Breathing Space
A free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety
0800 83 85 87
Samaritans
Talk to us any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you
0845 790 90 90
East Lothian Council / NHS Lothian Contacts
East Lothian Council Adult Wellbeing/Children and Families
0845 603 1576
East Lothian Council Headquarters
01620 827 827
Support for Older People
Age Scotland
Information for older people and their carers across a wide range of topics including money, health and wellbeing, home and care, etc. Sliverline is a free, national helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people.
www.ageuk.org.uk
General Enquiries – 0845 833 0200
Silverline Scotland – 0800 470 8090
Alzheimer’s Scotland
Information for people with dementia and their carers
http://www.alzscot.org/information_and_resources
East / Mid Lothian Office – 0131 243 1453
National Helpline – 0808 808 3000
Dementia Friendly East Lothian
A great source of information about dementia and carer friendly events in East Lothian.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Support
Changes Community Health Project
CHANGES which promotes the positive wellbeing of people living in East Lothian.
www.changeschp.org.uk
Office – 0131 653 3977/38
Eastspace
East Lothian Mental Health and wellbeing information on-line for both people with mental health problems and their carers.
http://www.eastspace.org.uk/
Cruse – Bereavement Care
Support for people who have lost a loved one
http://www.crusescotland.org.uk/Support/resources.html
0845 600 2227
General Advice and Information
Carers Trust
National information service for carers. Carers of East Lothian is the local network partner of Carers Trust
http://www.carers.org/
Citizens Advice
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland/about_this_site/get_advice_s.htm
Musselburgh – 0131 653 2748/2544
Haddington – 01620 824471
National Helpline – 0808 800 9060
Shelter Scotland
Information on housing rights and support.
http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice
National Helpline – 0808 800 4444 / 0131 653 4304
My Power of Attorney
Glasgow City Health & Social Care Partnership has been joined by all councils in the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde area in encouraging local residents to put a Power of Attorney (PoA) in place to ensure they can leave hospital when medically fit
Local Support Services
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living
Support for disabled people, people with long-term conditions and older people to live independently in their communities. Support around SDS and Direct payments.
www.lothiancil.org.uk
Office – 0131 475 2350
Lothian Disabled Living Centre
Free and impartial information and advice about equipment which can assist people who due to age, disability or illness have difficulty undertaking activities of daily living.
www.smart.scot.nhs.uk/services/disabled-living-centre
0131 537 9190
Strive Wellbeing
Provides support for people to stay connected with their communities through volunteering, Men in Sheds, etc
http://strive.me.uk/wellbeing/ 01875 615423
Headway East Lothian
Aims to support and improve quality of life for people following a stroke or who have an Acquired Brain Injuries as well as supporting their families and carers.
www.headway-eastlothian.org.uk/ 07895 193974
Other Local Carer Support Services
East Lothian Young Carers
Support for young carers in East Lothian up to age 18.
www.eastlothianyoungcarers.org
01620 826558
Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP)
Edinburgh based support service for Carers from the ethnic minorities
mecopp.org.uk
0131 467 2994
VOCAL
Edinburgh and Mid Lothian based support service for Carers
www.vocal.org.uk
Edinburgh – 0131 622 6666
Midlothian – 0131 663 6869
Additional Support Needs
GLC Education Law Unit (Govan Law Centre)
Provide a FREE national advocacy service to parents and young people with the right of appeal to the Additional Support Needs Tribunal for Scotland. Parents should feel free to contact directly if they fall into this category on 0141 445 1955. Refusal of placing requests to a special school is the most prevalent area at this time of year. https://www.facebook.com/educationlaw/
Enquire – the Scottish advice service for additional support for learning
Providing independent and impartial advice and information about additional support for learning to parents, carers, children, young people and professionals who work with them.
Scottish Child Law Centre
Free legal advice for and about kids – can help you with any questions about the law.
https://www.facebook.com/ScottishChildLawCentre/info/?tab=overview
Kindred
Supports parents and carers of children with additional support needs aged 0 – 18 years to access the information, services, advocacy and emotional support that they need to care for their children to their best ability.
www.kindred-scotland.org/ 0800 031 5793
Children Inc
Supports children with additional support needs to access activities.
Transport & Practical Help
East Lothian Care & Repair
Practical help with small repairs in the home or advice and assistance with adaptations.
http://www.careandrepaireastlothian.co.uk/contact_us
Office – 01620 828445
RVS – Transport and Good Neighbours schemes
Provides door to door transport for older people and help with practical tasks.
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/directory_record/240993/royal_voluntary_service 01875 811 011
Handicabs (HCL)
Provide Door-to-Door transport in adapted vehicles for people with very limited mobility and their carers.
www.hcltransport.org.uk/ 0131 447 9949
Blue Badge and Taxicard Schemes
Provides access to disabled parking. The Taxicard gives discounted fares for people with physical mobility problems who cannot use public transport. Both administered by ELC Transport.
01875 824305 or 01620 827974
