Carers Network

 

What is a carer?

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. You don't have to live with your cared for person to be a carer.

Many NHS Lothian staff have a caring role supporting a family member or friend, and the Staff Carers Network has been created to give them a safe and confidential space to make connections and access support. Any member of staff who has an unpaid caring role can join the network.

If you would like to join the confidential mailing list email loth.carers@nhs.scot to receive invitations to the network meetings and notes if you cannot attend.

 
 

Upcoming Meetings

Quarterly Coffee and Cake catch-ups

We've decided to change the format of the network meetings. Instead of drop-in sessions, we'll now be doing Coffee and Cake Catch-ups (BYOCC (bring your own coffee and cake))! This is an opportunity to take a break and speak to other carers about your caring role, how you're feeling, or even just talk about anything but caring.

The first Coffee and Cake Catch-up will be Monday 23 February at 12.30pm on Teams, or you can email the network inbox for the meeting invitation.

Further Coffee and Cake Catch-ups:

  • Monday 25 May

  • Monday 31 August

  • Monday 23 November

Quarterly speaker meeting dates

  • 2026 speaker meeting dates will be shared as soon as possible

 

Carer Passport

NHS Lothian launched the Carer Passport in 2023. The Carer Passport is a record of agreed actions following a conversation about the flexibility needed to combine work and care. This conversation involves balancing the needs of the employee with the needs of the organisation, using existing organisational policies.

You can find the passport and additional information on the HR Online Carer Passport page (intranet page).