Charity: Carers of West Lothian

Still very much here for all our carers, young carers and disabled adults

Over the past few months we have adapted how we provide a service to our unpaid carers and disabled adult service users.

We successfully moved all our support groups to Zoom, and have seen service users engage with us who have not in a long time. The groups include our weekly Coffee Morning and Young Carers groups; and our monthly groups include mental health support, our evening support group, bereaved carers and our young adult carers. We have also held our disability social groups through Zoom.

We've introduced a virtual Power of Attorney Clinic and Benefits Advice Clinic. These services had been on hold and we wanted to get them back up and running as they are still very much needed. Our counselling service is also still going strong, also available via Zoom/ telephone.

We recognise that times are tough, and thanks both to people donating their time and through our own donations fund we’ve been able to offer a lot of activities: dancercise, tai chi and mindfulness, fortnightly entertainment such as a magic show, quizzes (where prizes have been won), a silent disco – we have something planned right up until Christmas!

We have held two afternoon tea for 80 service users. It was so nice being able to chat with them in person. Our young carers received activity packs through out the summer and participated in our online ‘Olympic Games’. We provide PPE for unpaid carers and personal assistants providing personal care. Service users just need to call us and if they meet the criteria, and we will deliver it.

For more information please contact Carers of West Lothian: 01506 448005 office@carers-westlothian.com www.carers-westlothian.com