Carers of East Lothian Carers Centre

08/10/2026

We are pleased to share details of some sessions that we are running specifically for parent carers over the next few months.

*****Bookings are open currently for the sauna session which will be held at Hot and Bothy, Archerfield. The sauna will run from 6pm and is a 90 minute session, FREE for parent carers to attend.******

Bookings for all other sessions will open closer to the time.

07/10/2026

Absent Friends Festival is hosted by Coastal Community Connections from the 1st - 7th November. It is a people’s festival of storytelling and remembrance.

Join them in a series of events as they explore the conversations, culture and ways in which we as a society address death and grief.

Click on the link below to see the full line up of events for the week that includes film screenings, talks, an open mic night, their regular Good Grief Cafe and workshops.

https://coastalcommunityconnections.org/pages/absent-friends-week

06/10/2026

Thursdays information hub offers members of the public the opportunity to meet with lots of supportive organisations in East Lothian. East Lothian Information Hubs are ‘one-stop-shop’ events, where members of the public can meet organisations face-to-face, gaining information, advice, support and guidance.

Please note, at this information hub, there will be free cardiovascular health checks by Prestonpans GP Surgery and free ear health checks by East Coast Ear Care.

Staff from Carers of East Lothian were planning to attend this event, but unfortunately, we are no longer able to attend. There will be flyers available detailing our support and if you are popping along, you can speak to the event organisers who can tell you more about how to access local carer support. We are sorry to miss this event.

06/10/2026

We were extremely pleased to find out earlier this year, that we were nominated by customers in the North Berwick Skipton Building Society for their 2026 Community Giving Scheme. Staff at the North Berwick branch then selected Carers of East Lothian as one of three charities to receive a cash donation.

Yesterday we were over the moon to be informed that we won 2nd prize and will receive a donation of £600.00.

Thank you so much to the person who nominated us, everyone who voted in the North Berwick store and Skipton Building Society for this generous gift! We really appreciate your recognition of the importance of local support for unpaid carers.

05/10/2026

Join our Caring Spaces art group for a drop in session to create a special anniversary artwork.

This lovely group, run in collaboration with Art in Healthcare, is inviting carers to join a relaxed drop-in session on Monday 19 October, 10am to 12 noon at the Fraser Centre.

Together we'll create a collaborative artwork celebrating 30 years of Carers of East Lothian, inspired by the theme of the pearl: valuable and often hidden, just like many unpaid carers.

No artistic experience is needed. Come for as little or as long as you like. Please let Gemma know if you plan to attend so we have enough tea and biscuits for everyone! 😊 [email protected]

01/10/2026

East Lothian Works is carrying out a short piece of research to better understand the experiences of people who are not currently in paid employment due to health conditions, caring responsibilities or other life circumstances.

They would like to hear about the challenges people face, what support has been helpful and what could make a positive difference in the future.

The information gathered will help them better understand the barriers faced by East Lothian residents and identify what support and opportunities can help people take positive next steps. Your feedback will also contribute to wider work exploring how best to support people who are currently out of work due to caring responsibilities, health conditions or other circumstances.

There will be a small group discussion tomorrow 2 October, 10.30am to 11.30am at Haddington Library. Teas and coffees will be provided. No need to let anyone know you're coming, just join them at the library.

If you'd like to share your views but you can't make it tomorrow, there's a short survey link below.

All information will be treated confidentially and reported anonymously.

Find and participate in consultations run by East Lothian Council.

01/10/2026

We are pleased to invite carers, members, colleagues and supporters to our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The AGM will be held at the Fraser Centre, Tranent, from 10.00am to 12.00pm on Wednesday 28th October.

Alongside the formal business of the AGM, the morning is an opportunity to come together, reflect on our achievements, hear about our work, and, in this milestone year, acknowledge 30 years of Carers of East Lothian supporting unpaid carers across the county.

And of course, we will have some birthday cake!

We would be delighted if you could join us for this important annual event and celebration. Please let us know by 23rd October if you plan on attending the event.

To book your place, please contact:
📞 0131 665 0135
✉️ [email protected]

30/09/2026

We were thrilled to be informed recently that we have received funding from Shared Care Scotland via their creative breaks fund to continue to run our singing group for carers 'Care to Sing'. The group runs weekly at East Lothian Community Hospital on a Wednesday afternoon and has offered a joyful opportunity for carers to come together and sing.

We have shared this wonderful quote before, but we couldn't put it better than this carer did when they explained the benefits of the group:

"I joined the Care to Sing! Group after a long period of feeling I wasn't a "real" Carer, and therefore should not take up a place which could benefit someone else.
I provide emotional containment, childcare, practical help and financial management for two of my adult children who have chronic ill-health and significant support needs. It is, at times, relentless and exhausting.
The group gives me a weekly opportunity to set aside my worries and use my voice to connect with others in a joyful way. No pressure. No judgement. No baggage.
No one in the group has asked me what my caring responsibilities are. It feels non-intrusive and respectful, caring and warm. We laugh a lot.
I go home, humming, and the world seems a brighter place.
I'm very grateful to Anya, Jenny, COEL and Shared Care Scotland for making it possible."

If you're interested in coming along and joining the singing group, please contact us on 01316650135 or [email protected]. More info is on the poster attached.

29/09/2026

The Occupational Therapy caregivers’ pathway is running a 4-week self-management programme for caregivers (maximum 8 participants) in November 2026. Please see a description from the team about the group:

“The programme offers caregivers the opportunity to step back and reflect on their own needs and preferences and explore small manageable steps they can take to support their own health and wellbeing”.

If you would like to request a space on this programme, please follow the instructions on the image. You can also click the link below to read more about the group on our website where we have shared information about the programme on behalf of East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership.

https://www.coel.org.uk/news-information/occupational-therapy-caregivers-pathway-east-lothian/