Unpaid Carers advocacy
You can access advocacy without the role of‘carer’ defining you. You’re not alone, you don’t have to be alone.
Unpaid Carers advocacy is for people who are aged 18 or over, who are caring for an adult or child.
Does someone in your family need support with their health and care? Do you live with someone, and help them with everyday tasks?
Even if you don’t think of yourself as a carer, you’re entitled to support.
Make a referral
Request an unpaid carers advocate
What support can an advocate provide?
An advocate can support you and the person you care for to have your rights upheld. That might mean support with:
- Guardianships
- Mental Health Act tribunals
- Communicating with health and social care professionals, including by letter and at meetings
- Making a complaint, for example about a care provider, a care package, direct payments or healthcare
- Housing
- Resolving problems
- Signposting to other services
Who can get unpaid carers advocacy?
Any adult over 18 who is caring for someone in Edinburgh can get support.
VoiceAbility provides unpaid carers advocacy when the person you care for lives within the City of Edinburgh. Another organisation will provide this kind of advocacy if they live somewhere else.
Who can refer an unpaid carer for advocacy support?
You can refer yourself.
A friend or family member can make a referral.
Professionals such as care workers, social workers and health professionals can also make referrals.
Make a referral
Request an unpaid carers advocate
Could you be entitled to some additional support?
2025-2026 applications for carer short breaks are now open. Find out more at Shared Care Scotland.
Find out more about the support available at a drop-in session
Meet an advocate to chat about your situation, and find out what support is available. You don’t need to make an appointment.
When: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month 10am – 12pm
Where: McDonald Road Library, Edinburgh EH7 4LU
When: Fridays weekly, 10am - 4pm
Where: The Thistle Foundation, Centre of Wellbeing, 13 Queen’s Walk, Edinburgh, EH16 4EA
Upcoming events
More events coming soon - please keep an eye on this page.
If you would like to attend any events or find out more, please email groupadvocacyscotland@voiceability.org or call 03003031660.
Get involved
To register your interest in joining a group advocacy event, find out what’s coming up, or to suggest a discussion topic, please:
- email groupadvocacyscotland@voiceability.org, or
- call 0300 303 1660
Feedback and complaints
VoiceAbility provides unpaid carers advocacy in Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.
Who do I contact if I want to make a complaint?
You can access the Council’s complaints process and contact the Social Work Advice and Complaints Service by email on socialwork.complaints@edinburgh.gov.uk.
You can also contact them by telephone on 0131 553 8395.