VOCAL Midlothian

02/09/2026

With the autumn school holidays coming up, why not plan a family day out?

For parent carers in Edinburgh or Midlothian, we have family passes to Almond Valley available for two adults and up to four children!

Your pass includes admission to Almond Valley during normal opening hours. Rides, soft play, out-of-hours events and any other activities not included in the standard admission price are not covered. Passes can be used seven days a week.

Spend the day scaling, climbing, racing, leaping, jumping and exploring a fantastic range of indoor and outdoor adventure zones, trampolines, zip lines, woodland trails and more. There's something for adventurers of all ages!

You can sign up on our Wee Breaks website: weebreaks.com/event/almond-valley/

31/08/2026

Our next monthly paper art and crafting club is on Monday 7 September at 10:30am. Join Isabell for a relaxing start to your week drawing, doodling and creating simple crafts for wellbeing.

Book your space now:

31/08/2026

Are you interested in volunteering with VOCAL? We will be at the Volunteer Edinburgh recruitment fair tomorrow, sharing information about our volunteering opportunities.

Where: St Paul's and St George's Church, York Place, Edinburgh
When: 10am - 5:30pm, Tuesday 1 September

Visit the VOCAL stall and say hello - we'd love to tell you more about what it's like to volunteer with us!

31/08/2026

Into the Blue cold water swimming sessions, run by the Cold Water Therapist as part of the Midlothian Carer Community fund, are restarting on Friday 4 September.

Cold water can have numerous benefits, from reducing anxiety and physical relaxation, to reducing isolation and building a supportive community. In these sessions, you’ll receive support and guidance on how to swim safely.

- Venue: Harlaw Reservoir, Balerno
- Date and time: Every other Friday, starting 4 September (8 sessions total)

Hear from carers who have taken part previously on the positive impact that these sessions had for them. Visit the Cold Water Therapist website to register: https://ow.ly/hB5a50ZHg3Z

https://ow.ly/YG1750ZHg3X

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

27/08/2026

Edinburgh Community Food's next REHIS Eating Well for Older People course takes place on Wednesday 9 September, from 9:30am–1pm.

This is a certificated, non-examined course that aims to provide participants with knowledge and an understanding of the importance of good nutrition for older people, as well as how to support them to eat well.

For more information, please visit: https://ow.ly/TwJT50ZFwYx or email [email protected]

Join us for REHIS Eating Well for Older People. This course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and appreciation of the importance of good nutrition for older people and how to support them to eat well.

25/08/2026

The weekly carers' group at Newtongrange Community Garden is restarting on Wednesday 2 September. Come along to potter in the garden, do some planting, or simply enjoy a chat or a cuppa with other carers.

No gardening experience is needed, and there's no pressure to get involved – you're just as welcome to sit, relax, and enjoy spending time with others. A member of VOCAL staff will be on hand to answer any questions about our services.

25/08/2026

When you’re caring for someone, it can be easy to put your own wellbeing to one side. Join our workshop on Thursday 3 September from 11am to explore how compassion-focused therapy can be incorporated into your everyday life and learn practical techniques to develop self-compassion and mindfulness.

Book your free space on Eventbrite: https://ow.ly/rheF50ZBrWv

24/08/2026

Art for Life is a weekly art session for carers in Dalkeith. It's a great opportunity to relax, connect with others, and do something positive for your wellbeing.

If this sounds like something that appeals to you, come along to the drop-in session on 1 September at One Dalkeith.

We will soon be celebrating One Year of the Art for Life project for Carers in the Dalkeith area. Please come and join us if you can in our new venue at One Dalkeith.

24/08/2026

Beat the winter blues with a relaxing stay at a VOCAL holiday home.

Our properties in Seton Sands Holiday Park are now open for funded carer breaks in November and December. Enjoy coastal walks, fresh air, and the park’s programme of entertainment and activities.

Or if you prefer a quieter break, you can select dates with no entertainment programme so you can switch off completely.

However you want to spend your break, VOCAL can help. Visit our website to find out more about the dates available and how to apply for funding: https://ow.ly/FXPA50ZEqvo

21/08/2026

Health in Mind is running a free 5-week course on ways to improve your mental health and wellbeing. They will cover mindfulness, breathing techniques for anxiety, working with unhelpful thought patterns, setting personal boundaries, and building resilience.

You can also chat to other people going through similar things.

It's on Mondays from 1:30pm to 3pm, at Saint John’s and Kings Park Church, 31 Eskbank Road, Dalkeith EH22 1HJ.

To sign up, contact 0131 225 8508 or [email protected] or fill in their online enquiry form.