Support for unpaid carers

Carers header panel
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Support for adult carers
Support for young carers
Organising breaks from caring
Support with daily living
Dementia support
Arranging power of attorney
Carer - text box

A carer is “anyone who provides care, unpaid, for a friend or family member, who due to illness, disability, or a mental health problem or addiction cannot cope without their support.” 

Caring generally develops out of natural relationships, meaning carers are often family members -  partners, sons / daughters, siblings - or friends and neighbours first. 

Identifying as a carer can help a person access help and support to make their caring role more sustainable and to live a life of their own alongside their caring responsibilities.

Being a carer can have many positive rewards, including strengthening relationships, and offering a sense of satisfaction in contributing to the life of cared-for person.  However caring, especially when the role is more intensive, can have a huge impact on the life of the carer, their general health and well-being, their finances, their relationships and caring can increase social isolation.

See below for support available to unpaid carers in East Lothian.

Adult Carer Id Card - Feature Card
Two purple Adult Carer ID cards

Adult Carer ID Card

If you provide unpaid care for a friend, neighbour or loved one, you deserve the recognition and benefits it can give you!

Our new Carer ID Card is now available for adult unpaid carers across East Lothian.

Click here to read more and to apply for your Carer ID Card.
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Adult carers

As an unpaid adult care, you have a legal right to access help and support to improve your own health and wellbeing, so you can continue to care, and have a life alongside your caring responsibilities. 
 

Information and advice for adult carers
Young carers

Young carers

Are you aged 18 or younger and provide unpaid help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour, who due to illness or disability could not manage to live independently without your help?

Find out more about what it means to be a Young Carer and the support available to you:
 

Information and advice for young carers
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Helpful information for carers

Access further information and advice to help support you in your caring role: 
 

Carers - Holidays or Isolation Report
Thank you message to individuals who provided feedback into Carers 'Holiday or Isolation' research.

Holidays or Isolation Report

East Lothian Carer Research

We’d like to say a massive thank you to the young people, carers and providers of holiday activities that were involved in an engagement project about the challenges that families with children and young people with additional support needs face during school holidays.

The East Lothian focused report titled “Holidays or Isolation”, produced in partnership with Shared Care Scotland is now available to view online. 

While it was already known that holidays are a difficult time for families of children with additional support needs, what really came across from the engagement was just how hard it is and how this impacts on the whole family.

A number of local actions and commitments have been made following this engagement and the findings will be shared to encourage meaningful change for parents and carers of young people with additional support needs.

Click here to download the East Lothian Carer's Insights: Holidays or Isolation Report
Carer Award Podcast Feature Card
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Podcast: How carer aware are you?

Host of 'How Carer Aware of You' Rachel Tainsh talks to East Lothian Occupational Therapists to explore how to better support the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers.   

They discuss the physical, emotional and social impact of caring, the importance of “occupational balance,” and how even small, meaningful changes can strengthen resilience and sustain caring relationships. With practical examples and insights for both carers and professionals, this episode emphasises a powerful message: supporting carers to care for themselves is essential for everyone.