Lothian is delighted that our Charity of Choice Partnership with VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian – recently received a commendation in the ‘Inspiring Partnership’ category at this year’s Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

The award recognises the strong partnership between both organisations and the benefits that a dedicated charity partnership can bring to a business. Lothian’s partnership with VOCAL has led to the charity reaching more unpaid carers than ever before.

As part of the partnership, a Lothian bus carries VOCAL’s branding and messaging along various routes in Lothian’s network across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director for Lothian said:

“We are absolutely delighted that our Partnership with VOCAL was highly commended at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards this year.

“Recognition in this category provides an opportunity to showcase the benefits of charity partnerships in the business sector.  From the outset we have been determined to ensure that the partnership work we do with VOCAL has a positive impact on the lives of unpaid carers, both among our own people and across our operating area.”

Andrew Warburton, Partnership Development Officer at VOCAL, said:

“We are enormously grateful to the judges of this year’s Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Awards for recognising the huge impact of VOCAL’s partnership with Lothian Buses in raising the profile of unpaid caring and helping carers to access support.

“Receiving a commendation in the Inspiring Partnership category will help us to build on the impact of this partnership and is further testament to the growing recognition of the issues faced by unpaid carers in Scotland.

If you, or someone you know is an unpaid carer, VOCAL have a number of services to help manage your caring situation. Please visit www.vocal.org.uk for more information.