About Us: Membership

Edinburgh Carers Council is an organisation which is carer-led in its developments. It provides independent, individual, collective and peer advocacy to those who support someone with mental illness, eating disorders, learning disabilities, autism, dementia, or acquired brain injury.

Edinburgh Carers Council objectives

• To relieve the poverty and distress of carers of mental health service users in Edinburgh; and
• To advance the education of the public and service providers in the Edinburgh area.

We believe that carers need

• To be respected
• Their views and opinions to be heard
• To be taken seriously
• Recognition of the importance of their contribution
• To be valued
• Opportunities for breaks from caring
• Practical and emotional support at different stages
• Information on things that will assist them to care effectively while maintaining their own health and quality of life
• Information about services which reflect cultural, religious and racial differences and values
• To be consulted at all levels of planning, development and implementation of services

Who can apply for membership?

Membership of Edinburgh Carers Council is open to anyone with an interest in the work of the organisation, carers and professionals alike. The membership offered is to individuals only and therefore while individuals who are employed within mental health services are welcome to apply, we would not consider applications from organisations as a whole. By becoming a member you are giving support to objectives and values as an organisation. PLEASE NOTE that becoming a member does NOT mean that you need to join the Board of Trustees.

How much does it cost and what benefits are on offer?

Membership is free to all.

• You will receive a copy of our quarterly newsletter and other relevant information on events that may be of interest to you.
• You will be kept informed of any consultations that are happening in relation to mental health services and services that affect carers and be offered the opportunity of contributing your views towards them.
• You will be kept informed of any events and training opportunities being held at Edinburgh Carers Council.
• You will have the right to vote at the Annual General Meeting, General and Extraordinary meetings
• You will have the right to elect our Board of Trustees.
• You will have the right to stand for election to the Board of Trustees.

You will be adding strength to the running of Edinburgh Carers Council.

How do I apply?

Please fill in the short application form below.

The Board of Trustees will send you a letter confirming your membership. Membership is for lifetime and members will need to inform Edinburgh Carers’ Council if they no longer wish to be a member and wish to be removed from the distribution mailing list.

Please note: If you are already on our contact list and receive mailings or newsletters, you also still need to fill in the membership form. Thank you.

For more information call 0131 322 8480 or email info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk