Impact

Impact: making better things happen

Ecas has been improving the lives of physically disabled people in and around Edinburgh, since 1902. Over the years, our services have evolved in response to those who most benefit from what we do.

A recent review of our Activities

Ecas groups and activities are open to adults with physical disabilities living in Edinburgh and Lothian. All our groups are weekly and take place in accessible venues around Edinburgh. Most are also available online.

All our groups give you a great opportunity to improve your health and wellbeing, learn new skills and meet others. Ecas provides all materials, whether you join us in person or online.

A recent review of our Befriending Service

Ecas operates a befriending service for physically disabled adults in Edinburgh. Our befriending service seeks to provide friendship and companionship for socially isolated adults, providing someone for conversation, friendship and some fun.

Ecas Grant Fund impact

From February 2008 until our latest tally in March 2024, Ecas has awarded more than £454,000 to 668 applicants, providing financial support for a great range of things from powerpacks retrofitted to manual wheelchairs and household items, to student fees, sheds and holidays!

More about our Impact

View or download our most recent Annual Reports for more on the impact we have.

2024-2025 Annual Report >>
2023-2024 Annual Report >>
2021-2022 Annual Report >>
2020-2021 Annual Report >>
2019-2020 Annual Report >>

What our clients say

My befriender brings the outside world in.

Margaret

We feel confident now and realise we can do things we couldn’t do before, but we can do them now!

Barbara

The practising of relaxations and meditations helps to provide a sense of peace when there may be many things in our lives that are out of our control.

Verity

We look forward to the class and the support we get from one another.

Hilda

The swimming group has really helped me with my confidence in the water and has also helped me to get out and be more sociable.

Esther

Having the opportunity to get in the water and stretch my legs has helped me be more comfortable not only when in the pool but in my day to day life. The swimming group has definitely had a positive impact on me.

Colin

The body is more supple and the mind is less busy.

Barbara

Tai chi helps relax me – the tension just melts away. It has helped me regain movement in my left arm.

Danny

After only five weeks, I am surprised. Tai chi is easy to do. The benefits are less tension. It works and fully meets my needs.

Irene

This group is a fantastic way to come together and talk about things: books, our lives, what’s important to us.

David

My carer suggested I join the reading and writing group. Being part of the group has taught me how to write essays and poems. It’s great fun hearing group members read out their written pieces. Outside Ecas, we meet socially and go out for coffees or to the cinema. I am glad to have become a member… I love it.

William

I’ve always thought literary people were above me. But when we read and talk about them, you discover that they are really quite like us.

Eileen

The group is a lot of fun and full of talent. I enjoy playing different instruments, rediscovering songs from a long time ago and also new ones.

Christine

Brilliant.

Kevin

We have a very supportive tutor. She gives us a lot of scope to do painting, art and also pottery. Being part of the craft group is so rewarding.

Ruth

The Friday group is a very important part of the week. I meet friends, have fun and can be creative.

Lesley

The class has given me the ability to use my hands to an extent that I was previously unable to do.

Jack

I hadn’t done any art since primary school and I’m now the proud owner of several nice pictures. A super group.

Christine

Ecas has given me confidence, and the belief that I can achieve what I set out to do.

Bill

The art group has given me the opportunity to fulfil a dream.

Christine

Eilidh loves her trike. Being out and about together with the rest of the family on theirs has made a huge difference and is fantastic exercise for her.

The Anderson family

Thank you Ecas for supporting us to go on a holiday. The cottage has been great – wheelchair accessible with amazing views around.

The Dukan family

I met up again with my Befriender today and had an interesting and enjoyable walk in warm sunshine. I so appreciate his time and kindness. Thank you for making it all possible.

Ruth

It was always a great afternoon chatting with Stuart. I find our friendship to be very rewarding. It was a pleasure to be in the company of his character and good humour. We both shared similar interests and managed to get out to watch his favourite football team play.

Michael

Thanks to the Ecas grant we were able to source and pay for VR (virtual reality) equipment for my son Keir to use daily at home. After first using the headset at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation it was amazing to see how it helped him to get exercise. By exercising while seated, the severe pain that his condition creates is greatly eased. It has been a fantastic resource and helped him so much. We are so thankful and every single day we are seeing the results.

The Wallace family

I very much enjoy the company and all the Tai Chi movements – all very helpful. Socialising is very important when many are isolated.

Marion

The Ecas group motivates me to get out the house and meet new friends, and I enjoy making art.

Bruce

I’ve been coming for a long time and I really do enjoy it. It’s my two hours of the week.

Anne

Ecas is my best day of the week with lovely friends and lovely activities. There’s always something to learn.

Angela

I enjoy collage and jewellery making and being with my friends.

Lesley

I like it because of the people I meet.

Gosha

Good writing exercises, good laughs, and good company.

David

I like writing my stories, it helps me read as well. I get to practice my reading. On Fridays I like to draw my stories, it makes them come to life.

Leeann

Since returning to swimming, I have felt that my physical and mental health has improved with the added bonus of a nice warm pool and a relaxing atmosphere also with an understanding Instructor that is receptive to my physical needs in the pool.

Ian

I’m happy engaging in the Tai Chi movements. Love moving my arms and hands.

Ricco

The Tai Chi movements and awareness of breathing helps to lift my mood, keeps me calm and improves coordination. I am enjoying meeting new people and learning movements I can practice at home.

Rachel

Prior to the Chair Yoga group I was virtually housebound as I suffer from COPD and use oxygen 24 hours a day. The class has made such a difference to my life. I can honestly say that both my mental and physical health has greatly improved over the last 12 months. The group leaders and the class members are all very friendly.
I now feel much more positive about venturing out on my own with my oxygen, and my COPD consultant has informed me that my lung function has increased 100%. She attributes this to the yoga class. Thank you!

Margaret

Music’s fantastic. Akin is a great music teacher. It’s very enjoyable.

Chris

‘I just LOVE it.’

Graham

The last couple of years I have been feeling pretty isolated, so meeting up and spending time with a new friend has been really good.

Rheanan

There’s a comfort in knowing that Ecas supports both the client and the volunteer and are there when you need them, with a personal touch.

Aoibheaan

I find Yoga a very happy and useful tool mentally and physically. We motivate each other to the best of our abilities. The movement is enough that I can feel my body working, nut not so much it triggers PEM (post-extertional malaise).

Helena

Yoga a very happy and useful tool mentally and physically. We motivate each other to the best of our abilities.

Ian

The generosity and support of Ecas helped transform life not just for our dad, Ken, but for our whole family. Through your amazing support, we received two life-enhancing provisions for our dad, Ken: a power pack for his wheelchair and a transport contract with HCL. These may sound like small things – but for Ken, they’ve meant the world.

Ken’s Family

This grant has been amazing for our family. It means we have a dedicated iPad for iPad for Logan’s special programme which means we can have his medical and personal information at hand all the time.

Logan’s Family

Eilidh loves her trike. Being out and about together with the rest of the family on theirs has made a huge difference and is fantastic exercise for her.

Eilidh’s Family

I love it, it makes me feel happy. I’m glad I tried something different.

Impact

Impact: making better things happen

A recent review of our Activities

A recent review of our Befriending Service

Ecas Grant Fund impact

More about our Impact

What our clients say

Margaret

Barbara

Verity

Hilda

Esther

Colin

Barbara

Danny

Irene

David

William

Eileen

Christine

Kevin

Ruth

Lesley

Jack

Christine

Bill

Christine

The Anderson family

The Dukan family

Ruth

Michael

The Wallace family

Marion

Bruce

Anne

Angela

Lesley

Gosha

David

Leeann

Ian

Ricco

Rachel

Margaret

Chris

Graham

Rheanan

Aoibheaan

Helena

Ian

Ken’s Family

Logan’s Family

Eilidh’s Family

Kirsten