January 2019
Weight Management sessions
An opportunity to think about weight, how and what we eat. There is no pressure to lose weight. Duration: 7 weeks Who is this course for? Carers with in an interest in thinking about weight management and health in general. Weekly Breakdown Themed input and support from a Scottish Slimmer’s consultant who provides advice and guidance on diet models suggested followed by a carer focused input from Hazel, one of the carers support team at VOCAL, who will support the…
Find out more »Carer Information Day
Becoming a carer can be a sharp learning curve for many of us. We can find ourselves in the position where we want/need to learn about lots of new things. This training day helps carers answer some of their key questions Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This day is ideal for carers at the beginning of their caring journey or thinking about accessing support for the first time. Weekly Breakdown VOCAL Services – more about what we…
Find out more »February 2019
Book Group
Do you like reading? Do you want to share ideas with others? Join our carers book group. Duration: 4 monthly sessions on the 1st Monday of the month Who is this course for? Carers who enjoy reading or want to read more. Weekly Breakdown Each month we will be discussing the book we have been reading. Emma will introduce the book with some reviews to tell us what other people think and ask some questions to get the discussion going.…
Find out more »Dementia Information Day
Becoming a carer can be a sharp learning curve for many of us. We can find ourselves in the position where we want/need to learn about lots of new things. This training day helps carers answer some key questions. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This day is ideal for carers who are supporting someone who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. Weekly Breakdown This one day event will provide information about dementia diagnosis, treatment, what you may…
Find out more »Understanding Universal Credit
Every year carers and the people they support miss out on millions of pounds as they do not understand what their entitlements are. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are not currently claiming universal credit for themselves or for the person they support. Weekly Breakdown Universal credit is a welfare benefit to assist with living costs, shortly it will replace a number of benefits that carers or the people they support receive including ESA, housing benefit,…
Find out more »Crafty Carers (February)
Craft sessions for fun and relaxation. Duration: 3 weeks Who is this course for? Carers who enjoy craft or want to relax. No previous experience required. Weekly Breakdown Each week there will be the opportunity to try a new craft technique and make items for your home or gifts. What carers will get from this course A chance to try new things. Relaxation. Improved craft skills.
Find out more »It’s hard for me too – Understanding substance use and addiction
Many family members and friends of people using drugs or alcohol find it hard to know how to respond to and cope with the situation. This short informal course helps to understand concerns others have to understand substance use, the law, services to support people to reduce or stop drug or alcohol use. Duration: 5 weeks Who is this course for? Anyone concerned about a loved one’s substance use. Weekly Breakdown Week One – Understanding substances Week Two – Models…
Find out more »Stress Management
Modern life can be stressful and caring roles particularly so. Many carers can find it difficult to manage stress levels which can have negative effects. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress Weekly Breakdown This session is designed to help carers to understand stress and its impact, stress triggers, develop techniques to plan for and manage stressful situations. What carers will get from this course Identified…
Find out more »Caring for someone with Dementia and Understanding Medication
A session exploring how medication is used in the treatment of Dementia and Behaviour associated with Dementia. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is appropriate for anyone caring for someone with Dementia. Weekly Breakdown Lead by a dementia specialist pharmacist this course provides information on how different medications are used to treat Dementia and its symptoms, as well as information about how to safely take medication, side effects and drug interactions. What carers will get from…
Find out more »Emotional Freedom Technique
Carers can often report feeling in poor health. This course will support carers to develop skills in Emotional Freedom Technique to manage stress and support relaxation. Duration: 4 weeks Who is this course for? This course is for anyone who wants to learn an effective relaxation and stress management technique. Weekly Breakdown Emotional freedom technique is a specific form of alternative psychotherapy that involves tapping on specific pressure points on the body. In this course you will learn how to…
Find out more »Adult Carer Support Plans and Carers Rights
As a carer it can sometimes be hard for carers to know about their rights and entitlements. This short seminar provides an overview and signposts carers to further support. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for anyone interested in the law or learning more about their rights as carers. Weekly Breakdown This session gives an overview of the rights of carers and will focus on the newly introduced Adult Carer Support Plans, what information they…
Find out more »Drama Workshop (February)
Would you like to explore the theatre, either on or off stage? As a way to take a break from your caring role or as a way to explore your caring experience. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for anyone regardless of their experience or confidence on or off stage. There will be a role or a job for anyone interested. Weekly Breakdown The group will work together towards a performance piece. What carers will…
Find out more »Your Support Your Choice
The way that services are being provided and arranged is changing as Self-Directed Support is being introduced carers and the people they support will be offered the option to arrange their own packages of care. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are supporting someone who receives a package of care/services to help them live them at home and carers who would like to access a package of care. Weekly Breakdown Would you like more or different…
Find out more »March 2019
Introduction to caring (Sat)
Becoming a carer can be a sharp learning curve for many of us. We can find ourselves in the position where we want/need to learn about lots of new things. This training day helps carers answer some of their key questions Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This day is ideal for carers at the beginning of their caring journey or thinking about accessing support for the first time. Weekly Breakdown Vocal Services – more about what we…
Find out more »A life in Art – Charles Mackie
Art Historian Pat shares her passion for the artist Charles Mackie. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Anyone who enjoys art, history or the spoken word. Weekly Breakdown Former carer and art historian Pat will talk (with visual aids) about the artist, his life in particular and his connections to Edinburgh and Scotland. Pat’s knowledge and enthusiasm brings the subject to life for the audience even if they have no previous experience of the artist or his work.…
Find out more »Break Ready
Many carers feel they need a break from their caring role, to recharge their batteries, pursue interests or to complete chores. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are interested in taking a break for an hour or two or for several days. Weekly Breakdown This seminar looks at how we can access breaks and how we can make sure we are ‘break ready’ and maximise the impact of any breaks we access. What carers will get…
Find out more »Stress Management (Sat)
Modern life can be stressful and caring roles particularly so. Many carers can find it difficult to manage stress levels which can have negative effects. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress Weekly Breakdown This session is designed to help carers to understand stress and its impact, stress triggers, develop techniques to plan for and manage stressful situations. What carers will get from this course Identified…
Find out more »Room for Art
Relaxing practical art sessions exploring different techniques and materials. Duration: 8 weeks Who is this course for? Carers who enjoy art or want to relax. No previous experience required. Weekly Breakdown Join professional artist Heather for a series of sessions. What carers will get from this course A chance to try new things. Relaxation. Art technique skills.
Find out more »Caring for someone with Dementia and understanding behaviour
Caring for someone with dementia can sometimes mean dealing with behaviour we find challenging, confusing or hard to live with. Perhaps someone has become stubborn, aggressive, confused, has hallucinations or is just very different to before. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who want to understand more about what triggers the behaviours we find challenging and how to lessen them or cope with them better. Weekly Breakdown Delivered by a Specialist Nurse this course explores why some…
Find out more »Confidence for carers
Many carers can find themselves without the time to do the things they enjoy, feeling isolated or not listened too. This can impact on their confidence. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on their own confidence levels and think about what would boost them. Weekly Breakdown Think about what confidence is, what helps shape our confidence levels and how to boost them. What carers will get from this course An increased understanding…
Find out more »Dementia and Physical Activity (Carers Hub)
Exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health and can help support good quality of life for people with dementia. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This interactive session for carers and the people they are supporting with dementia and provides tasters of exercise for the carer and the cared for person to do together. Weekly Breakdown Led by experienced activity experts and trainers who have specialist dementia knowledge. Come along with the person you support to try…
Find out more »Understanding Universal Credit (PM)
Every year carers and the people they support miss out on millions of pounds as they do not understand what their entitlements are. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are not currently claiming universal credit for themselves or for the person they support. Weekly Breakdown Universal credit is a welfare benefit to assist with living costs, shortly it will replace a number of benefits that carers or the people they support receive including ESA, housing benefit,…
Find out more »Drama Workshop (March)
Would you like to explore the theatre, either on or off stage? As a way to take a break from your caring role or as a way to explore your caring experience. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for anyone regardless of their experience or confidence on or off stage. There will be a role or a job for anyone interested. Weekly Breakdown The group will work together towards a performance piece. What carers will…
Find out more »Changing Relationships (Sat)
Many carers talk to us about the fact that many of their relationships have changed since they began caring. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to think about their relationships with the person they care for, family and friends. Weekly Breakdown Caring can impact on all our relationships; perhaps how we interact with the person we are supporting has changed, or there are changes in the way we spend time with family and friends.…
Find out more »Confidence for carers (Sat)
Many carers can find themselves without the time to do the things they enjoy, feeling isolated or not listened too. This can impact on their confidence. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on their own confidence levels and think about what would boost them. Weekly Breakdown Think about what confidence is, what helps shape our confidence levels and how to boost them. What carers will get from this course An increased understanding…
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