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March 2019
Basic First Aid (March)
Many carers are supporting someone who has an increased risk of minor injury or accident. We hope not to need to use our first aid skills but if someone needs us we would like to know what to do. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who want to understand what to do in the event of an accident, injury or life threatening incident. Weekly Breakdown The course will teach carers how to respond to a variety of…
Find out more »Confidence for carers (Sat)
Many carers can find themselves without the time to do the things they enjoy, feeling isolated or not listened too. This can impact on their confidence. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on their own confidence levels and think about what would boost them. Weekly Breakdown Think about what confidence is, what helps shape our confidence levels and how to boost them. What carers will get from this course An increased understanding…
Find out more »April 2019
Carer Mindfulness Group (Midlothian)
Many people use mindfulness to help them lead a calmer and less stressed life and to help improve their sense of wellbeing. Duration: 7 Sessions (Wednesday 3rd April - 26th June held fortnightly) Who is this course for? Unpaid carers living or caring in Midlothian local authority. Weekly Breakdown We have a small group of carers who meet fortnightly to participate in group mindfulness together to help them relax and de-stress. Please note that in order to join the group…
Find out more »Accessing support services
It can be hard to know who can provide carers or the people they care for with appropriate support. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This session is ideal for carers at the beginning of their caring journey or thinking about accessing support for the first time. Weekly Breakdown We will look at how can health and social care support carers and people with health problems to live well in their own homes. What carers will get from…
Find out more »Carer Coffee Morning with Guest Speaker (April)(Midlothian)
Opportunity to meet with other carers. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Unpaid carers who live or care for someone in Midlothian. Weekly Breakdown From 10-11am - Come along and enjoy a cuppa and blether with other carers in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. From 11am-12noon - Your Support Your Choice (SDS) - learn more about your choices so that you can have more control over the type of support you or the person you care for receives.…
Find out more »The Habits of Happiness
Caring can be emotionally challenging, this course helps us to explore a range of techniques to help us maintain good emotional health while caring. Duration: 6 weeks (9th April - 14th May) Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their lifestyle, mood and stress levels. Weekly Breakdown An experienced and professional tutor shares techniques and tools taken from the science of happiness and neuroscience, these help with a greater understanding of the power…
Find out more »Poetry Appreciation
A chance of come together read, talk about and write poetry. Duration: 4 weeks (10th April - 1st May) Who is this course for? Anyone with an interest in meeting others and exploring poetry. No previous experience in poetry reading, writing or appreciation is required. Weekly Breakdown The group will look at a wide variety of poetry including song lyrics, modern and classical so there will be something for everyone. What carers will get from this course An opportunity to…
Find out more »Advanced Stress Management
This is a stress management course for carers who have already attended one of VOCAL’s Introduction to Stress Management courses and want to learn more develop their skills further. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress. Weekly Breakdown This course refreshes knowledge of stress management theory and offers the chance to explore new strategies to manage stress. What carers will get from this course Identified ways…
Find out more »Creativity, Interaction and Dementia
It can be hard to help someone with dementia to engage in conversation and activities. This workshop supports carers to develop techniques to make this easier. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers supporting someone with dementia. Weekly Breakdown A workshop designed to support carers to learn tips and techniques to engage someone with dementia in activities using poetry, stories and photos. What carers will get from this course Practical stills to enable carers to interact with someone…
Find out more »Preparing to make a change
Sometimes life can be challenging especially when we have caring roles and we can be unsure what changes would make a difference or how we would go about making those changes. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are interested to making changes and exploring what is involved. Weekly Breakdown Explore what is working well and what is currently challenging. What would make life better and how can we make changes to improve things. Each participant will…
Find out more »Dementia Information Day (Midlothian)
This course aims to provide information on key aspects of Dementia and how it can affect the people we care about. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Unpaid carers who live in or care for someone in Midlothian who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. Weekly Breakdown The focus of the session is to inform carers of people with dementia about the illness, treatment and support available. Understanding dementia. Treatment. The home environment. Support in the community. Support…
Find out more »Finding Balance (April)
Would you like to feel less stressed? Are you interested in finding out more about how to get the best out of other people and conversations? Do you want to make changes to your situation? Do you want more time for yourself? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this course is for you. Duration: 2 weeks (25th April & 2nd May) Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on their lifestyle and…
Find out more »Remembering yourself and caring for someone with Dementia
Caring for a loved one may lead to feelings of guilt, sadness, confusion or anger however, it can be difficult to share these feelings with someone with dementia, leaving carers feeling very isolated. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who want to explore their feelings and stay well while caring for someone with dementia. Weekly Breakdown This workshop led by Heart and Minds has been designed to help carers build their emotional resilience, strengthen and develop coping…
Find out more »Peer Support Group for Parents & Carers (Midlothian)(April)
VOCAL Midlothian and The Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCIL) are jointly hosting a group for parents and carers of disabled children and young people living in Midlothian. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Parents and carers of disabled children and young people with additional support needs living in Midlothian. Weekly Breakdown At the meeting you will: Have the opportunity to share experiences, suggest future topics and guest speakers. Meet other parents and carers. Explore ideas and opportunities…
Find out more »Yoga
Keeping physically and mentally healthy is important for all of us but it is not always easy to make a start with, or maintain exercise on our own. Duration: 4 weeks (29th April - 20th May) Who is this course for? Carers who are looking to de-stress, get fitter or to meet other carers. No previous experience is necessary and the tutor will provide support for all fitness levels. Weekly Breakdown Yoga to build core strength, flexibility and aid relaxation.…
Find out more »May 2019
Your Support Your Choice (Midlothian)
Do you want to learn more about self directed support and how it can benefit you and the person you care for? Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Unpaid carers who live in or care for someone in Midlothian. Weekly Breakdown This session will provide carers with a better understanding of Self Directed Support and the assessment process. What carers will get from this course A better understanding of self directed support. Learn how to get more choice…
Find out more »Introduction to Caring (Libertus)
Becoming a carer can be a sharp learning curve for many of us. We can find ourselves in the position where we want/need to learn about lots of new things. This training day helps carers answer some of their key questions. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This day is ideal for carers at the beginning of their caring journey or thinking about accessing support for the first time. Weekly Breakdown VOCAL Services – more about what we…
Find out more »Gym Buddies (Drumbrae)
Keeping physically and mentally healthy is important for all of us but it is not always easy to make a start with or to maintain exercise on our own. Maybe with a few buddies it would be easier. Duration: 4 weeks (7th May - 28th May) Who is this course for? Carers of any age or fitness level who would like to go to the gym. Weekly Breakdown Each week the group will meet at the gym and be supported…
Find out more »Crafty Carers
Craft sessions for fun and relaxation. Duration: 4 weeks (8th May - 29th May) Who is this course for? Carers who enjoy craft or want to relax. No previous experience required. Weekly Breakdown Each week there will be the opportunity to try a new craft technique and make items for your home or gifts. What carers will get from this course A chance to try new things. Relaxation. Improved craft skills.
Find out more »Help in the home and garden
Caring can be a challenging and time consuming and often we find some day to day tasks we run out of time for or we are no longer able to complete. Many carers are juggling more than one home and garden which can make things particularly difficult. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are interested in getting some help to manage their homes and gardens. Weekly Breakdown The course will look at the kinds of tasks…
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