All events are free of charge and provided by a number of different organisations. Carers, and professionals working with carers, can book online, or contact providers directly by telephone or email.
Illnesses and disabilities
For carers supporting someone who is elderly, has a disability or condition including dementia, MS and Huntington’s.
Caring for someone with Dementia and thinking about their challenging behaviour
Caring for a child with additional needs and thinking about behaviour
Understanding Dementia
Understanding substance misuse and addiction (May)
Understanding substance misuse and addiction (June)
Time for me
Explore ways to maintain a healthy balance between your caring role and life outside caring.
Getting the right support
Courses about adaptations, equipment and other practical support at home for yourself and the person you care for.
Words that change minds
Employment and rights for carers
Understanding the Carers Act
Introduction to Self Directed Support
Caring for yourself
Explore ways to manage your own mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Changing relationships (Westerhailes)
Stress Management (Westerhailes)
Basic Aromatherapy
Stress Management (June)
Vision Boards – Imagining the future
Dealing with loss (June)
Taking care of me
Out and about
Get out and enjoy group visits to art galleries, historic buildings and nature walks.
Money and benefits
Find out more about welfare rights, managing household bills and other financial matters.
Planning for the future
Covering a range of topics including preparing for the loss of a loved one and emergency planning.
Practical skills and bodycare
Learn the hands-on skills and knowledge to support someone else’s bodily care including foot and oral care.
Basic First Aid for Carers (April)
Confidently Me (Midlothian)
Falls Awareness
Sleep Awareness for parent carers
Making an emergency plan
Basic First Aid for Carers (May)
Caring for a child with additional needs and thinking about play
Mindfulness (Midlothian)
Footcare
Continence management
Events
Covering a range of topics including preparing for the loss of a loved one and emergency planning.
Carer Coffee Morning (Drop-in)(Midlothian)(April)
Conversation Cafe: Local support (South Queensferry)(April)
Conversation Cafe: Time away from caring (Gilmerton)(April)
Conversation Cafe: Digital revolution (Cafe Marlayne)(May)
Conversation Cafe: Local support (The Filmhouse)(May)
Carer Coffee Morning (Drop-in)(Midlothian)(May)
FSA Conversation Cafe: Learning – What I know now that I wish I knew before (May)
Conversation Cafe: Time away from caring (South Queensferry)(May)
Conversation Cafe: Friendship (Gilmerton)(May)
Conversation Cafe: Time away from caring (Cafe Marlayne)(June)
Conversation Cafe: Edinburgh, My City (Filmhouse)(June)
FSA Conversation Cafe: Recovery – Things I have done that have been helpful and unhelpful to my loved one’s recovery (June)
Conversation café: Digital revolution (South Queensferry)(June)
Carer Coffee Morning (Drop-in)(Midlothian)(June)
Conversation café: Finding my voice (Gilmerton)(June)
Carer Coffee Morning (Drop-in)(Midlothian)(July)
Common Questions
Are you supporting a family member, partner, relative or friend, of any age, who needs help to manage a long term condition, disability, physical or mental health problem or addiction? Your caring role could be as simple as getting their shopping once a week or you could be responsible for all their every day needs. You can’t always tell if someone is a carer but those providing care and support to family members and friends need support too. You may see yourself as a wife, husband, partner, son daughter, parent, relative or friend. You are also a carer.
To book a course simply use the online booking facility. You will be asked to provide some personal information about your caring situation. Once you have submitted your details the course provider will get in touch (by email, text or post – whatever method you prefer) to confirm your place. Alternatively you can contact the training provider directly, you will find their details in information about the course or event you want to book.
The location of the course will vary and depend on the course provider. Please refer to the course you are interested in – you will find location details on the course content page, along with a map and directions. For more information or to check details, please contact the course provider directly.
The courses, events and activities listed on this website are free of charge and provided by a number of different training providers. The courses aim to meet the needs of carers through weekly sessions and one day seminars and events with expert speakers and professionals. If you would like more information about a course or event listed, please contact the course training provider to get more information and to find out about future dates for the course. For more information about this website please contact VOCAL on 0131 622 6666 or email centre@vocal.org.uk
If you are and professional who is working with a carer and would like to book them on a course, then you can do so with their consent. Simply complete the online booking form which is a safe and secure way to make a booking, and the information you provide goes directly to the relevant course provider. Alternatively you can contact the course provider directly – their details are on the course pages. Please note that the courses and events listed on this website are for unpaid carers and are not open to paid carers.
All carer training courses are free, and in most cases travel and care costs can be reimbursed to enable as many carers as possible to attend. Please contact the course providers directly to discuss and agree this in advance of the course.
If you are interested in a course but can’t attend the listed dates, please contact the course providers to get more information and to find out about future dates for the course.