Carers in Edinburgh will be able to access a pop-up emotional wellbeing hub for expert advice on issues such as managing stress and support services.

Two one-day drop-in events will be held at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, supported by the charity VOCAL, which offers unpaid carers information, peer support and access to services.

The health & care partnership hopes it will be a ‘one-stop shop’ for anyone who looks after a loved one.

Edinburgh’s carers champion, Cllr Joan Griffiths, said: “It is so important that carers feel able to seek help and that they know where to turn to for support. Carers need to be cared for too and all of the stallholders will be ready to offer a helping hand.”

A recent survey found more than a third of young carers felt stressed and half of those who reported being stressed said they often felt that way.

Jane Greenacre, assistant director (carer support) from VOCAL, said: “All too often carers miss out on the range of support and services available in Edinburgh, because they simply don’t know what help they can ask for. For example, our most recent carer survey identified that only 4 in 10 carers felt that they knew what financial support was available to them.”

Judith Proctor, chief officer of the Edinburgh partnership, said the body had developed a joint carers’ strategy alongside NHS Lothian, the council, carers and the third sector so carers can access high-quality support “at the right time and place.”

The next pop-up carers hub will take place on Thursday 21^st March.