A local charity is celebrating 85 years at the heart of local communities – with demand for its services growing by more than 30% across the last 12 months.
LifeCare Edinburgh, the local older people’s care charity, is proudly celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. Established in 1941, LifeCare has spent more than eight decades at the heart of Edinburgh communities, supporting older people and unpaid carers for longer than the NHS has existed.
But while 85 years is a remarkable milestone, the charity says its work is more important than ever as we all face the challenges that an ageing population will bring, with more people living with dementia and multiple health conditions, living alone, living further away from relatives and increasingly living on a low income. On top of this, growing numbers of unpaid carers, often older themselves, are increasingly shouldering the responsibility of caring for loved ones – and this can take its toll on their own health and wellbeing.
A long history of support at the heart of Edinburgh
LifeCare was originally established as the Edinburgh Old People’s Welfare Council by three pioneering local women: Miss Lowe, a chartered accountant; Miss Whigham, a lawyer; and Dr Baxendine, Physician Superintendent of Queensberry House Hospital. Their aim was simple but ambitious – to give older members of the community a “fuller share in community life”.
That idea has remained at the heart of LifeCare ever since. The charity has continually changed and adapted alongside the communities it serves. In 1961, it opened Lamb’s House as an older people’s day centre, providing everything from lunches and social activities to bathing, laundry and physiotherapy.
Its Cheyne Street centre, still home to the charity today, was opened by the Queen Mother in 1975. Many local people will recognise the building by its former name, Stockbridge House. The organisation became LifeCare in 2005, but its purpose remained the same: helping older people live well, stay connected and remain part of their communities.
Continually growing demand
The challenges facing local older people are growing at an alarming rate. Edinburgh, like communities across Scotland, has an ageing population, while increasing numbers of people are living with dementia and multiple health and care needs.
At the same time, unpaid carers are shouldering more and more responsibility for looking after loved ones. Caring can be rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting, leaving people isolated, worried about money and struggling to find time for their own health and wellbeing.
LifeCare provides support that addresses all of these areas, helping older people stay safe and independent at home, access to fresh and nutritious food, maintaining friendships and social connections, and keeping physically and mentally active. Its support for unpaid carers provides a vital opportunity to take a breath, connect with others and look after their own wellbeing too.
Last year, LifeCare supported 1,140 older people and unpaid carers – a 32% increase on the previous year – while its Community Hub welcomed more than 48,000 visits. More than 75% of LifeCare’s clients live alone with the charity’s services often providing the only in-person contact.
Today, LifeCare provides two registered Day Clubs and Outreach, Help at Home, Meals on Wheels, wellbeing support for unpaid carers and a growing programme of free community activities. Its Community Hub and Café on Cheyne Street has become a much-loved local meeting place, where people can enjoy a coffee or lunch, meet others and take part in activities including Chatty Café, craft afternoons, board games, talks, repair workshops, IT support and seasonal events.
Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare, said: “Reaching 85 years is an extraordinary milestone, but for us it is not simply about looking back. It is about everything we have learned from the older people, carers and communities we have supported and how we continue to adapt to what they need today and what they will need in the future.
“LifeCare has survived and thrived for 85 years because we listen. The challenges facing older people can feel enormous, but we are here to make the difference. We understand the importance of connection, dignity, kindness and trusted relationships.
“We are incredibly proud that thousands of people across Edinburgh continue to turn to LifeCare for support. One person recently described us as ‘my happy place’ and another as their “Lifeline” – and after 85 years, that is exactly the kind of difference we want to keep making.
“We’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of the people involved with LifeCare across the last 85 years – all of our dedicated and professional staff, our committed volunteers, our generous funders, everyone who has sat on our board or taken part in a fundraising challenge.
“LifeCare is all about people and we simply wouldn’t be the organisation we are today without each and every person who has supported our work. As we look ahead to the next 85 years, we look forward to welcoming new faces who are keen to support us and help us meet the growing need for our work.”
LifeCare is celebrating its 85th anniversary at a time when demand for its services is growing – but the fundraising climate is becoming increasingly difficult. The charity relies on funders, supporters and the generosity of local people to keep its services running. Without that support, LifeCare cannot continue to meet the growing need in the same way.
This year, the charity has launched Friends for Life(Care), inviting local people to become part of its next chapter and help ensure LifeCare can continue supporting older people and unpaid carers for years to come. Full details are available on the charity’s website, social media or people can speak to someone at the Community Hub.
Supporting LifeCare can also be as simple as choosing to have a coffee and cake, lunch or hiring an accessible room for your next event. Every visit, donation and show of support helps LifeCare continue to be there for local people today and tomorrow.
After 85 years at the heart of Edinburgh communities, LifeCare is looking ahead – and wants to make sure it can be here for everyone when they need it.
