Carers of East Lothian Carers Centre

22/06/2026

We want to say a huge thank you to our wonderful craft group volunteers Carol and Jenny who ran a macrame plant hanger session last Friday. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and took something beautiful home. Carol led this session and Jenny supported- we are very grateful.

If you're a carer who is interested in coming along to try our craft group, please contact Gemma on [email protected]

People dip in and out of sessions, you don't need to committ to every month. Sessions are on the third Friday of the month in Haddington.

Thank you to our generous friends at Haddington Day Centre for hosting us each month.

19/06/2026

Working Together for Change is a project fromIn Control Scotland. The project is about enabling people to be in control through self-directed support. They are bringing together people in East Lothian for their local programme to make positive change in social care, harnessing the unique skills, insights and knowledge of people using and delivering social care to unlock the potential of self-directed support.

If you are a person using social care or work to deliver social care in East Lothian and would be interested in applying for a place on the Working Together for Change local programme, please get in touch with Brett at: [email protected] for an application pack.

Please follow the link below for more information about how to apply.

https://www.in-controlscotland.org/working-together-for-change-infomation

18/06/2026

The UK Government is seeking the views of unpaid carers and employers for a consultation on workplace rights.

This consultation will explore a range of options to help unpaid carers remain in and return to work, including the introduction of a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave.

Along with national carer organisations, we encourage individuals and employers to take part and share their experiences, to help shape future employment rights and workplace support for unpaid carers. You can click the link below to read more about the consultation.

We are seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.

18/06/2026

Are you a disabled adult 18 years and over, or the parent of a disabled child up to the age of 18? If so, you can apply for a space on In Control Scotland's 'Partners in Policymaking' which is an international leadership and development programme. The closing date for completed applications is 26th June 2026.

What Partners in Policymaking is all about

18/06/2026

Take a Break is Scotland’s short breaks fund for carers of disabled and seriously ill children, young people and their families. Take a Break grants can be used for a break away, towards leisure activities or outings, sports equipment and much, much more.

This national fund is open to applications until Monday 22nd June. Please click the link below for how to apply.

Take a Break is Scotland’s short breaks fund for carers of disabled and seriously ill children, young people and their families. Take a Break grants can be used for a break away, towards leisure activities or outings, sports equipment and much, much more.

16/06/2026

Carer ID Cards.

If you provide unpaid care for a friend, neighbour or loved one, you can now apply for an East Lothian Carer ID Card.

We are pleased to hear about this at Carers of East Lothian because we have heard from many carers that this would be useful.

Why should you apply for a carer ID card?

- Recognition: carers can feel that places and services don't recognise their role and it would be helpful for them to have something to show that recognises the support they provide and encourages others to think carer.

- In case of emergency: carers worry about what might happen to the person they care for if something was to happen to them, the carer ID card will give two emergency contact numbers that should be used in case of emergency.

- Creating a carer friendly community: we already have great relationships with many local businesses and carers would like to use their cards to access discounts or special offers.

For more information and for how to apply, you can read the post below from East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, or you can visit the following web page to apply: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/carer - and click on Carer ID cards.

Launch of East Lothian Carer ID Cards!

If you provide unpaid care for a friend, neighbour or loved one, you deserve the recognition and benefits it can give you!

Our new Carer ID Card is now available for adult unpaid carers across East Lothian.

Why you should consider applying for one:

- Recognition: carers can feel that places and services don't recognise their role and it would be helpful for them to have something to show that recognises the support they provide and encourages others to think carer.

- In case of emergency: carers worry about what might happen to the person they care for if something was to happen to them, the carer ID card will give two emergency contact numbers that should be used in case of emergency.

- Creating a carer friendly community: our local carer support organisations already have great relationships with many local businesses and carers would like to use their cards to access discounts or special offers.

Ready to get yours? Apply here: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/carer

Carers of East Lothian Carers Centre Dementia Friendly East Lothian East Lothian Council Prestonpans News Radio Saltire .6

16/06/2026

East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership are thanking the young people, carers and providers of holiday activities that were involved in an engagement project about the challenges that families with children and young people with additional support needs face during school holidays.

An East Lothian focused report titled “Holidays or Isolation”, produced in partnership with Shared Care Scotland is now available to view online.

Please see their post below which includes a link to the report.

*Holidays or Isolation? Families and carers of children with additional support needs speak out!*

We’d like to say a massive thank you to the young people, carers and providers of holiday activities that were involved in an engagement project about the challenges that families with children and young people with additional support needs face during school holidays.

The East Lothian focused report titled “Holidays or Isolation”, produced in partnership with Shared Care Scotland is now available to view online.

While it was already known that holidays are a difficult time for families of children with additional support needs, what really came across from the engagement was just how hard it is and how this impacts on the whole family.

A number of local actions and commitments have been made following this engagement and the findings will be shared to encourage meaningful change for parents and carers of young people with additional support needs.

View the full report at www.eastlothian.gov.uk/carer

Carers of East Lothian Carers Centre East Lothian Council

16/06/2026

Thursday, 18 June (1:30pm to 3:30pm) - Drop in event at Wellwynd Hub, Tranent.

Are you or someone you know looking for ways to live independently at home?
There are a range of products that can assist you to live independently at home or to make caring for someone else a little easier. However, it can be hard to know where to start.

This Thursday there is a free public drop-in events, where you can speak to East Lothian Rehabilitation Services professionals to find the right solution for yourself or the person you care for.

The next drop-in will be on:
Thursday, 18 June (1:30pm to 3:30pm)
Wellwynd Hub, Wellwynd Sheltered Housing,
6 Loch Square, Tranent, EH33 2JY

15/06/2026

Diane from our Welfare Rights team will be on hand at the next information hub on 24th June from 12 - 2. This time it will be held at The Fraser Centre. Diane will join lots of other supportive, local organisations. Come along and learn more about the support available in your local community.

12/06/2026

While shines a spotlight on caring and encourages communities to recognise the support happening all around them, our involvement in the campaign week is just a small part of what we do at Carers of East Lothian. We also recognise that one week highlights just a fraction of the reality for carers who are providing support each and every day.

Our dedicated and compassionate team is here all year round, providing a wide range of support services for carers, including 1:1 carer support work, training opportunities, supporting carers to understand their rights, grants to help carers access breaks, regular support groups, help with benefits and welfare rights, counselling, telephone befriending and much more.

We’re proud to stand alongside carers every day, not just during Carers Week.

If you are looking after someone, or you know someone who is, we are here to help. Take a look at our website at the support we offer and contact us using the following link: https://www.coel.org.uk/contact-us/online-referral-form/

*Picture of some of us at our last team day. We've had a few additions to the team since then, so we must get a more up to date photo.