May 2021
Walking for carers
May is national walking month, this course will introduce carers to the benefits of walking then guide you weekly to reach your own personal walking targets. Duration: 4 weeks (6th, 13th, 20th & 27th May) Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session Each week there will be a short presentation followed by group discussion on individual walking goal setting and…
Find out more »Caring for someone with dementia and your rights
This 4 week course delivered by Age Scotland and VOCAL will inform dementia carers on the rights they have and the support that is available to them. Carers will have the opportunity to meet other carers in a similar position and share experiences. Duration: 4 weeks (7th, 14th, 21st & 28th May) Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Carers caring for someone with dementia.…
Find out more »Bank accounts
This session from Money Advice Scotland, an overview of bank accounts available, the pros and cons of each. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh. The event is being run in conjunction with Carers of East Lothian so there will be some carers from East Lothian in attendance. Outcomes of this online session An overview of the type of bank accounts available, what…
Find out more »Debt and Budgeting
An information session offering sensitive advice on how to manage debt and budget effectively, led by an experienced practitioner who works for a debt advice service in Edinburgh. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who would like help and advice with budgeting and debt for themselves or the person they care for. Outcomes of this online session. By the end of the session you will have an increased understanding of debt and budgeting and the services…
Find out more »Reflection session – Telling your story
Take time to reflect with other carers on how this will be a pivotal moment in history. Think about how the lasting effects of COVID-19 (and the social changes that will come from it) will change us. Life might never be the same again. How do we share that story, learn from it and let it shape who we are? Duration: 2 weeks (12th & 19th May) Who is this online session for? Carers who would like to take the…
Find out more »Poetry appreciation
Explore poetry collections with other carers. No previous experience required, just an interest in poetry. Duration: 4 weeks (13th, 20th, 27th May & 3rd June) Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session Take time out from your caring role to escape into the world of poetry. Join Maureen and others carers as you read pieces of poetry based on the…
Find out more »Stress Management (May)
Learn more about stress and its impact and develop techniques to plan for and manage the symptoms of stress. Duration: 2 weeks (15th & 22nd May) Who is this online session for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress. Outcomes of this online session By the end of the session, you will have: Understood what stress is and how it affects the body. Explored what causes you stress. Discussed the impact of stress on…
Find out more »Fraud, Scams and Financial wellbeing
This session from Royal Bank of Scotland focuses on understanding how you can protect yourself and your family against fraud and scams and how to manage financial wellbeing. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session This presentation touches on both fraud and financial wellbeing, the session focuses on understanding how you can protect yourself, the person you…
Find out more »Craft Workshop
Join us for this special online workshop. You will be guided to produce a craft. All materials and instructions are provided and sent out to your home prior to the workshop. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who have an interest in crafts and would like to meet other carers. No previous experience or skills are required. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only Outcomes of this…
Find out more »Changing Relationships (19th May)
This workshop helps carers understand how relationships work, what they mean to us, and how caring affects them. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who would like the time to reflect on their relationships with the person they care for, family and friends. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session By the end of the session we will have: Looked at relationships…
Find out more »Carer Engagement Event – Care and support at home (19th May)
Does the person you care for receive care and support at home from external agencies. Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership want to hear the experiences of carers. The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership support people who need help to live in their own home, we would like to invite you to come and share your experiences with us and help us to design the best support for the citizens of Edinburgh in the future. Duration: 1 week Who…
Find out more »Carer Engagement Event – Care and support at home (20th May)
Does the person you care for receive care and support at home from external agencies. Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership want to hear the experiences of carers. The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership support people who need help to live in their own home, we would like to invite you to come and share your experiences with us and help us to design the best support for the citizens of Edinburgh in the future. Duration: 1 week Who…
Find out more »Working carers lunch – Knowing your employment rights (May)
Working carers are invited to join VOCAL for a short lunch time workshop. This session is a chance to come together to share ideas about how carers can balance employment and caring. This month’s session will focus on employment rights for carers. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This event is aimed at carers who are in current full time, part time or self-employment. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person…
Find out more »Basic first aid for carers
Many carers are supporting someone who has an increased risk of minor injury or accident. We hope not to need to use our first aid skills but if someone needs us we would like to know what to do. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who would like to understand what to do in the event of an accident or injury in the home. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a…
Find out more »Using digital resources to improve wellbeing
In an increasingly digital era, find out what resources are available online to support your mental and physical wellbeing. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session By the end of the session carers will have: An introduction to different therapeutic approaches including counselling, coaching, individual and group support and alternative therapies. A list of Support and services…
Find out more »Learn to Zoom (May)
Drop into this session to increase your confidence in using Zoom. VOCAL delivers its online training programme via Zoom so coming to the session will let you fully access our other courses. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Any carer who is new to Zoom or has used Zoom before and would like to lean more or increase their confidence using it. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh…
Find out more »Emergency planning
A workshop on options for planning for an emergency. You will be supported to write a personalised Emergency Plan, which is important now more than ever. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This course is for anyone caring for someone with concerns about what would happen in an emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic and after. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session By…
Find out more »Changing Relationships (Face to face)
This workshop helps carers understand how relationships work, what they mean to us, and how caring affects them. Duration: 1 week Who is this session for? Carers who would like the time to reflect on their relationships with the person they care for,family and friends. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this session By the end of the session we will have: Looked at relationships and how becoming…
Find out more »June 2021
Domestic Abuse Information session
Are you worried about the safety and wellbeing of someone? What can you do if you suspect someone is a victim of domestic abuse, without making it worse? This session will help you understand more about domestic abuse and how to support someone you think may be in this situation. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who are worried about the safety and wellbeing of someone who is experiencing domestic abuse or would like more information…
Find out more »Generating money with eBay
Figured out how to buy and sell on eBay? Debbie from Treasure Tree will explain how VOCAL can help you to generate profit for yourself and also be able to give something back. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who just want to know more about Treasure Tree and have been on the session ‘Introduction to buying and selling on eBay'. Carers who have things they would like to sell, and are willing to donate a…
Find out more »Getting a break from caring
A workshop on options for planning a break from caring. Learn about the support and services available. Duration: 2 weeks (3rd & 10th June) Who is this online session for? Carers who would like to find out more about what options are available to enable them to get a break from their caring role. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session By the end of the…
Find out more »Caring for someone with a progressive neurological condition
This course is aimed at carers caring from someone with MS, Parkinsons, MND or other neurological conditions. Join the course to find out more about caring for someone with these conditions. Duration: 3 weeks (4th, 11th & 18th June) Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session The course will cover the following: Week 1 – Impact of caring for someone…
Find out more »Podcast group for carers
Join this group to find out how to access podcasts, listen to chosen weekly podcasts and discuss your thoughts as a group. Open to carers who listen to podcasts or who would like to be introduced to podcasts. Duration: 3 weeks (4th, 11th & 18th June) Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session Each week there will be a short…
Find out more »Benefits for school age children
Information about welfare benefits available to carers and the school age children they care for. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Any carer for cares for a school age child. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session An outline of the benefits available to you and the child you care for including carers allowance and DLA. Delivered by Shirley and Andy, Money Matters…
Find out more »Caring for a child with learning difficulties
Mindroom and VOCAL present this course for parent carers, to learn about the conditions and meet other carers. Duration: 4 weeks (9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th June) Who is this online session for? Parent carers who are caring for a child with learning difficulties. Mindroom define a learning difficulty as any learning or emotional problem that affects, or substantially affects a person’s ability to learn, get along with others and follow convention. This event is open to carers residing or…
Find out more »Introduction to caring in Edinburgh
A course aimed at people new to caring, or carers new to Edinburgh, offering information on accessing support, money and welfare rights and VOCAL services. Duration: 3 weeks (9th, 16th & 23rd June) Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session Over the three weeks we will cover the following: Week 1 – Sharing your caring role and information on VOCAL…
Find out more »Learn to Zoom (June)
Drop into this session to increase your confidence in using Zoom. VOCAL delivers its online training programme via Zoom so coming to the session will let you fully access our other courses. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Any carer who is new to Zoom or has used Zoom before and would like to lean more or increase their confidence using it. This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh…
Find out more »Basic Benefits
Information about benefits available to carers and the people they care for, as well as information on some of the changes to benefits due to COVD-19. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who are not currently accessing benefits but would like to know more information about what they or the person they care for could be entitled to and for carers who think there might be a change in the benefits they or the person they…
Find out more »Taking Care of your Back
Many carers report problems with their backs, learn basic techniques to protect your back in everyday life and in your caring role. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session By attending the Taking Care of Your Back course, carers will: Develop an understanding of what might cause musculoskeletal pain. Be aware of techniques that will help to…
Find out more »‘How to Help Someone Who Doesn’t Want Help’ Video and Discussion Group
Watch a short talk by Life Coach Bernadette Logue on ‘helping someone who doesn’t want help’ and take part in a facilitated discussion. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? For people affected by another’s drug or alcohol use. This is for carers residing in Edinburgh or the person they care for resides in Edinburgh. Outcomes of this online session Learn about how paying careful attention to our energy/emotions and the space we give another can foster openness…
Find out more »Caring for someone with dementia and managing behaviour that challenges
Do you care for someone with dementia? Led by an experienced dementia nurse this webinar will help you understand and manage behaviour you might find distressing or hard to deal with. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who care for someone with dementia and who want to understand more about what triggers the behaviours we find challenging and how to lessen them or cope with them. This session is aimed at someone who has mid to…
Find out more »Working carers lunch – Championing carers in the workplace (June)
Working carers are invited to join VOCAL for a short lunchtime workshop. This session is a chance to come together to share ideas about how carers can balance employment and caring. This month’s discussion will focus on how carers can champion carers in the workplace. We will discuss organisational carers networks and share ideas around helping to create a positive workplace culture for carers. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This event is aimed at carers who…
Find out more »Dealing with guilt (Face to face)
This session will help carers to explore the meaning and purpose of the feeling of guilt and manage the guilt they experience. Duration: 1 week Who is this session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this session By the end of the course we will have explored: The definition and purpose of guilt. The reasons why carers feel guilt and how it affects them. Tips and ideas…
Find out more »Help in the home and garden
Caring can be challenging and time consuming and often we find some day to day tasks we run out of time for or we are no longer able to complete. Many carers are juggling more than one home and garden which can make things particularly difficult. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this online session By the end of…
Find out more »Emergency planning (Face to face)
A workshop on options for planning for an emergency. You will be supported to write a personalised Emergency Plan, which is important now more than ever. Duration: 1 week Who is this session for? This event is open to carers residing in or caring for a person in Edinburgh only. Outcomes of this session By the end of the session carers will have: Learnt what an Emergency Plan is and why it’s important to do one. Completed sections of the…
Find out more »Supporting someone to make decisions
A session to look at formal methods of supporting someone who is unable to or has difficulty making decisions themselves, including Power of Attorney and Guardianship. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers of adults who are supporting someone who struggles with decisions making perhaps due to learning disability, brain injury, stroke or dementia. Outcomes of this online session Explore the reasons behind supporting someone else with their decision-making. Discuss the process of Power of Attorney. Discuss…
Find out more »Introduction To buying and selling on eBay (June)
Decluttering, moving home, emptying the home of a loved one who has passed or gone in to care, or just wanting to raise some extra cash. Treasure Tree may be able to help. Selling online with Treasure Tree via eBay harnesses the power of 183 Million eBay users and gets your preloved items to a new home. Duration: 1 week Who is this online session for? Carers who just want to know more about Treasure Tree. Carers who have things…
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