Tel. 0131 551 2194
Fax. 0131 551 6428

This purpose-built centre offers daytime placements to disabled adults living on the north side of the city of Edinburgh. Craighall is the location for a physical disability service and two smaller learning disability teams. It is also the management base for some external community-centre based learning disability projects at Craigroyston, the Prentice Centre and the Rannoch Centre.

In addition to the mainstream service a joint project with NHS Lothian now operates at Craighall as the Edinburgh Community Stroke Service. This is aimed at people who have been discharged from hospital but are within one year of having a stroke. Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy input guides the programme, which will be carefully analysed with a view to establishing an effective model for evidence based community rehabilitation.

The building has level access to all areas, wide corridors, spacious and numerous toilets (with fitted grab rails) and automatic front doors. Electric hoists and other specialist items are useful for attenders with more limiting impairments.

Those who use our service have varying degrees, and causes, of disability. Some people being relatively independent, whilst others may require assistance from staff with all daily activities. The great majority of our physically disabled service users have acquired disability in their adult years.

People who attend Craighall are encouraged to participate directly in planning their support. The atmosphere at Craighall bears little relation to that of a medical clinic or hospital service. Any individual planning or review meetings always include service users themselves. Collective views of attenders are also expressed via the Clients' Committee. Every attempt is made to avoid institutionalisation. A significant proportion of our programmme takes place in community settings, away from the Centre itself. Inclusion in mainstream activities is always the preferred option when available.

The flexible approach of the Centre ensures that account can be taken of the different needs and preferences of individual service users.

Placements aim to :

• continue rehabilitation
• promote independence
• promote healthy lifestyles
• provide opportunities to develop new interests
• offer social, educational and recreational opportunities
• provide day-time respite for disabled people and their carers

The Centre has also occasionally been used as a step towards future employment. We try to tailor the service as far as possible to each individual person's needs.

The normal days of operation are Monday to Friday and special door-to-door transport is provided where necessary. There is no charge for attendance, if resident within the City of Edinburgh Council catchment area.

To obtain a place at Craighall contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324. After a visit has taken place and background information has been supplied to the Centre a date for an introductory placement is agreed. This gives people a chance to have direct experience of Craighall before planning any ongoing involvement.

Our building can sometimes be made available to appropriate outside groups, beyond the usual working hours. This means evenings and weekends, though there may be an opportunity of a room during the day on some occasions. If you are part of a group or organisation in the Edinburgh area, involved with health/disability, and would like to discuss such arrangements please call the above telephone number or respond by email.**UNFORTUNATELY THE BUILDING IS NOT AVAILABLE OUT OF HOURS AT PRESENT DUE TO STAFFING LIMITATIONS**