Putting carers top of the agenda

Carers in the capital will have the chance to have their say on how support services should be developed in Edinburgh at a series of events – one of which takes place at North Edinburgh Arts this Friday at 2pm.

The current strategy, Towards 2012 – An Action Plan for Carers, is being reviewed by the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Community Health Partnership so a new plan can be introduced next year. As part of the consultation process both organisations are keen to hear how carers feel services can be improved and developed.

The aim of the sessions is to share ideas and thoughts about current carer services, meet other people who are carers for a relative or friend and find out what support there is for carers in Edinburgh. The importance of the Council supporting carers in the city has been emphasised by the recent appointment of Councillor Norman Work (pictured below) as Care Champion. Cllr Work said: “The Capital Coalition pledged to listen to and reflect the public’s views in developing and delivering efficient and effective services. We recognise that we need to continue to build on how we provide support to carers and the people they care for. It is vital that carers tell us their views on what we achieved or what still could be improved in the future. Has it made a difference to their lives? What should the priorities for carers’ support be over the next five years? How can we improve services?

“These drop in sessions are a great way for carers to tell us their views and develop ways for them to become more involved in planning how carer support will be provided in the future. I would urge anyone who is a carer to come along to one of these events and tell us what needs to be done.”

As well as Friday’s event at North Edinburgh Arts Centre, the following sessions are also planned:

26 November: 1.30pm – 3.30pm; Out of the Blue – 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh

28 November: 7pm – 9pm; The Haven – 25B Burgess Road, South Queensferry

4 December: 11am – 1pm; Wester Hailes Education Centre – 5 Murrayburn Drive, Edinburgh

7 December: 10.30am – 12.30pm; Libertus – 20 Gracemount Drive, Edinburgh

10 December: 1.30pm – 3.30pm; Portobello Library – 14 Rosefield Avenue, Edinburgh.

You have until 31 December to make your views known