City launch of new service for disabled

Published on Friday 5 December 2008 09:31

A SUPPORT service run by and for disabled people has been launched in the city.

In what is being used as a national pilot scheme and thought to be a European first, the telephone network involves professional counsellors who happen to be disabled giving advice to callers.

Local health chiefs hope that the fact they share at least one thing in common with the caller will provide additional support they can't find elsewhere.

The NHS Lothian-run scheme, in partnership with the Lothian Centre for Integrated Living, is available to disabled people across the country over 18 and to their immediate family members.

Florence Garabedian, LCIL's interim chief executive, said: "Disabled people in Scotland now have access to free professional counselling support by telephone.

"As far as we are aware, this service is unique in Europe. A large proportion of our clients so far come from Edinburgh and the Lothians and we are looking forward to offering the service to more people throughout Scotland."