Pasda

Everything we do at Pasda,is for the benefit of our members.
We aim to raise awareness of the needs and aspirations of families of autistic adults, with professional bodies and the public, in order to influence policy and change attitudes.
We were delighted to be recognised by one of those carers we support, who recently contacted Carers Card UK and nominated Pasda as an organisation of the month for September.

Staff members Cath Purdie and John Gannon accepted this certificate of behalf of the charity.

A family caregiver can keep the appointments, manage the medications, and get through the day while struggling privately. Others may see everything getting done and assume you are coping well. They may not see how hard it is to settle at night, how lonely your days have become, or how even one more decision feels like too much. When every conversation centers on your loved one’s health, your own well-being can become an afterthought. Family caregivers deserve space to speak honestly and support that responds to what they are carrying. You should not have to reach a breaking point before your needs are taken seriously.

Follow ParentCare Hub

We are delighted that Joanna Panese External & Consultancy Lead,Scottish Autism is our guest at our West Lothian Support Group Meeting.
Joanna is hoping to hear from Unpaid Family Carers on their lived experience of supporting their Autistic adult children.

We meet tomorrow evening at 7pm until 8.30pm at Sycamore House, Livingston.

John and Cath from Pasda will be present, as will Stephanie from Carers of West Lothian who are our partners in this group.

Today is day 1 of Challenge Poverty Week, focusing on social security.

We support carers with benefits applications, whether you're eligible due to your caring role, age or disability. This is especially important with winter coming up, as heating bills will increase.

This month we have a few online sessions with Lyndsay, our Safe and Warm Carer Support Practitioner, where you can learn about the winter heating benefits you may be entitled to.

Join us on:
- Wednesday 7 October, 6pm to 7pm
- Tuesday 13 October, 2pm to 3pm
- Friday 30 October, 10am to 11am

Book on carer-training.eventbrite.com

With energy costs expected to rise again this winter, it's useful to know the winter heating payments being delivered by Social Security Scotland.

🔺 Child Winter Heating Payment (£265.50): For families of disabled children and young people under 19 who receive the highest levels of disability support. About 48,000 families are expected to benefit. Payments start in the week commencing 5 October. Find out more: https://www.mygov.scot/child-winter-heating-payment

🔺 Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (£105.55 to £316.70): For people of State Pension age. The amount depends on age and household circumstances. About 879,000 pensioners are expected to benefit. Payments start in November. Most people are paid automatically, but a small number will need to apply, so it's worth checking the link below. Everyone eligible is paid, but HMRC recovers the payment through the tax system from those with an individual income over £35,000. Find out more: https://www.mygov.scot/pension-age-winter-heating-payment

🔺 Winter Heating Payment (£62.00): For low-income households receiving certain benefits. About 487,000 people are expected to benefit. Payments start in December. Unlike the UK Government's Cold Weather Payment, it is paid regardless of temperature. Find out more: https://www.mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment

Let's hope that the individual selected has experience of caring.
Lived experience and someone who actually listens are fundamental requirements for this role.

We welcome today’s announcement by Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to appoint a new champion for unpaid carers. It's been almost 20 years since there was last someone appointed by the UK Government to specifically champion the needs of carers , so we look forward to working with them to ensure the voices of carers and services who support them are heard.

Today our Walking group are out and about at The Royal Mile,Edinburgh 🚶‍♂️
Here's hoping the Sun shines for our walkers🌞

Thanks to our friends at COEL for highlighting our East Lothian Support group 🙌

Pasda are a charity that supports Carers of autistic adults (Over 16) throughout the Lothian area. Their East Lothian group meets at the Fraser Centre, Tranent, East Lothian on the 3rd Wednesday of the month (except August and December) between the hours of 7pm and 8.30pm.

If you are a carers of an autistic adult(s) and you would like to join them, you would be most welcome. You can email them at [email protected] for more information, or just go along on the night.