Colleagues at Lothian Buses with caring responsibilities will have a new resource to support them thanks to the launch of a Carer’s Passport, marking the end of the two-year partnership between the bus operator and VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian).
A Carer’s Passport is a living document which details the support needed to help Lothian employees who have unpaid carer roles and enables the carer and their manager to have supportive, meaningful conversations about their needs. VOCAL have worked closely with Lothian over the course of their two-year charity partnership to develop this tool and have provided training for managers across the business to better support colleagues who provide care for another person.
The charity partnership, which launched in early 2023, has helped raise awareness of the work of VOCAL and the invaluable services they provide in communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Through Lothian’s communications channels and the striking VOCAL bus (pictured), the charity has seen an increase in the number of referrals to their support services.
Helping to further the work they do, Lothian have also raised the fantastic sum of £11,500 through a variety of fundraising events including two Doors Open Days, charity challenges such as the Meadows Marathon and a sponsored skydive, and much more.
Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director at Lothian, said: “Our charity partnership with VOCAL has been really special.
“Knowing that we have helped to amplify VOCAL’s message within our operating area to promote the role of unpaid carers is confirmation that partnerships like this are vital.
“We’d like to take this opportunity, at the close of our partnership with VOCAL, to thank their team and service users for what has been an influential and inspirational two years.”
Rosemary McLoughlin, Chief Executive of VOCAL, said: “Our partnership with Lothian Buses has been incredible. There are over 95,000 unpaid carers in Edinburgh and the Lothians and many have accessed support for the first time because of this partnership. It has encouraged conversations about unpaid care and linked carers to vital support.
“Thank you to Lothian for making such an inspiring partnership possible. While our time as Charity of Choice is coming to a close, we look forward to continuing our work together in the years to come!”
