Carers Focus Newsletter: April 2020

Hi everyone,

We hope you’re keeping well and doing okay during these difficult circumstances. We understand Coronavirus (Covid-19) is very worrying for us all, and especially for carers. We wanted to assure you that ECC is still here to support you, even if it’s remotely.

Edinburgh Carers Council is complying with all guidance from the Scottish Government, including working from home. Our office is closed for appointments, but we are still reachable. We are picking up messages daily from our main office phone line, 0131 322 8480.

If you are already working with an advocacy worker, they will keep in regular contact with you. Until further notice, we will only be providing advocacy support over the phone or email. We are still available to provide support at Mental Health Tribunals.

Advocacy Worker Email Contacts

James Arthur (Transitions Advocacy Worker) — james@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk
Paul Flaherty (Advocacy Worker) — paul@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk
Greig Irving (Advocacy Worker) — greig@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk
Ruth Rooney (ECC Coordinator/Advocacy Worker) — ruth@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk

For general enquiries or to make a referral, please email info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk
For information/resources, or if you have a query about our peer support service, please email Information & Resource Worker, rachael@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk

We are happy to help with any issue (or just to talk!) so please do get in touch if you need to. As a reminder, you can still phone us on our landline 0131 322 8480 and if you leave a message we will get back to you as soon as we can.

We’ll keep you updated of further developments and changes by posting on our website, www.edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk/resources/news
We will also post on our Facebook - you can like our page here: https://www.facebook.com/edinburghcarerscouncil/

Collective Advocacy and Carers Forum

All of our collective advocacy groups, including the Carers Forum and Findlay House Carers Group, are postponed until further notice. We encourage anyone who needs support to please get in touch through phone or email, and we’ll take forward any issues raised on your behalf.

ECC Peer Support Service

Unfortunately, our Peer Support Service is also temporarily suspended. This will include one-to-one appointments, and the new Carers Support Group, whose first meeting was scheduled for 14th April. The cancellation of these groups and meetings is very disappointing to us all and we hope to be able to get back together soon.

We will be exploring different options on how to keep these groups going remotely, perhaps through a Facebook group? So, watch this space! To feedback on this please email rachael@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk

NHS Inform

If you’re looking for the latest advice and information on Coronavirus, visit NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus Here you can find information on topics such as what you should do if you or someone you live with develop symptoms, social distancing and staying at home advice, and a symptom checker, which helps you decide what to do if you or the person you’re caring for are feeling unwell.

Mental Health Resources

Health in Mind has a page on their website which lists some great resources with advice for looking after our mental health. Some tips include to plan practical things, staying connected to loved ones, and to talk about your worries. https://www.health-in-mind.org.uk/coronavirus_covid_19/i2274/covid_19_mental_health_resources_26_march_2020.aspx

National Coronavirus Helpline

A helpline in Scotland has recently been launched to offer free and practical advice around a variety of issues such as employment, housing, finance and consumer rights. You can get in touch by phoning their free number 0808 800 9060 during their working hours of Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. You can also speak with an advisor through email, live web chat or social media. For more information, you can visit their website: coronavirusadvice.scot

Like us on Facebook ! You can like our page on Facebook to keep up-to-date with news and events from Edinburgh Carers Council, and other happenings around carers and mental health. https://www.facebook.com/edinburghcarerscouncil/

Change of address? If you have recently moved, would like to update your contact details, or would no longer like to receive this newsletter, please get in touch by calling or emailing (0131 322 8480, rachael@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk). We also update our News page on our website: www.edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk/resources/news