Peer Support Service (Edinburgh Carers Council)

Who is this for?

• Carers/relatives of people with mental health difficulties, dementia, autism, learning disability or acquired brain injury.

Who provides this?

• Edinburgh Carers Council

Description

Edinburgh Carers Council (ECC) offers volunteer peer support services for carers, including a one-to-one service and an online peer support group.

Both services are for unpaid carers (family, friends) of people with mental health difficulties. ECC’s peer support workers are all volunteers and carers or former carers themselves. They have undergone training from Health in Mind to build their peer work skills.

Peer support is the sharing of experiences between two (or more) people in a safe environment. Peer support volunteers will not lecture you, give advice, or judge you. It is a mutual relationship where they are there to listen to you and draw from their own similar experiences to help provide emotional and practical support. It aims to help both those giving and receiving support. Each experience is treated as equally important, which gives it a different dynamic to more traditional settings of support such as therapy or counselling. Caring for someone with mental health difficulties is often a lonely and isolating experience.

Taking part in one-to-one peer support with a volunteer means you don’t have to keep repeating your story to a different person each time. A relationship can be formed with one person who can understand what you’re going through.

Peer support can help you to:

• talk about your experiences and work through what you are feeling
• learn coping strategies from someone who has been through similarly difficult circumstances
• understand your loved one’s diagnosis
• learn about what other services are available to support you
• increase self-esteem and confidence
• feel reassured that you are not alone

With this one-to-one service, a trained peer support volunteer will meet with you (or phone you, or video chat with you) on a regular basis and help give you tips to manage your own mental health and wellbeing. They may also be able to provide information about relevant services that may be helpful to you.

In addition to this one-to-one service, ECC facilitates an online peer support group which is available to all unpaid carers of someone with a mental health difficulty. The group takes place on the last Friday of each month from 2.30 – 3.30 pm. It’s currently held online via Zoom. The group is a safe space to share experiences, listen to others and gain support.

If interested in attending or if you have any questions, please do get in touch with ECC.

How do I access this?

• Self-referrals
• Service is appointment only
• Referrals by third parties

Is there a cost?

Free

Is there a waiting list?

Temporary waiting list of 2-4 weeks.

Location information

• Translation service available upon request
• Wheelchair access available around the back of the building
• Private parking available
• Public parking available
• Wheelchair access

Opening times

Monday	9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Tuesday	9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Wednesday	9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Thursday	9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Friday	9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed