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November 2019
“It’s hard for me too” – Understanding substance use and addiction
Many family members and friends of people using drugs or alcohol find it hard to know how to respond to and cope with the situation. This short informal course helps to understand concerns others have to understand substance use, the law, services to support people to reduce or stop drug or alcohol use. Duration: 4 weeks (6th - 27th November) Who is this course for? Anyone concerned about a loved one’s substance use. Weekly Breakdown Week one – Understanding substances…
Find out more »Caring for a child with additional needs and thinking about behaviour
Parents of children with additional needs often tell us that they find some of the accompanying behaviour difficult to deal with. This course explores methods of coping with this behaviour and how to develop personal coping strategies. Duration: 3 weeks (7th - 21st November) Who is this course for? This course is designed for parents/carers of someone under 16 with additional support needs. Weekly Breakdown Week 1 - How Do We Feel About the Behaviour Unpredictable or challenging behaviour can…
Find out more »Dealing with Loss (Gilmerton)
Caring brings about many lifestyle changes and at times carers experience losses. In this workshop we look at how loss can affect us and the stages we may go through when we are confronted with different kinds of loss. This workshop would be appropriate for those recently bereaved, carers who are facing bereavement and also carers dealing with other kinds of loss. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to explore and come to terms…
Find out more »Room for Art
Relaxing practical art sessions exploring different techniques and materials. Duration: 6 weeks (13th - 27th November & 4th - 18th December) Who is this course for? Carers who enjoy art or want to relax. No previous experience required. Weekly Breakdown Join professional artist Heather for a series of sessions of relaxing practical art sessions while having the opportunity to explore different techniques and materials. What carers will get from this course A chance to try new things. Relaxation. Art technique…
Find out more »Carer Mindfulness Group (13th Nov)(Midlothian)
Many people use mindfulness to help them lead a calmer and less stressed life and to help improve their sense of wellbeing. Duration: 1 week Who is this group 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 you must have previous knowledge and already practice…
Find out more »Remembering yourself while 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 »Making your money go further (November)
Illness and disability can be expensive and many carers find that it is harder to make ends meet, or that their money does not go as far now they are in a caring role. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who want to check they are receiving all they are entitled to and look at how they could make their money go further. Weekly Breakdown This session will introduce carers to the world of welfare benefits and…
Find out more »Stress Management (Gilmerton)
Modern life can be stressful and caring roles particularly so. Many carers can find it difficult to manage stress levels which can have negative effects. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress. Weekly Breakdown This session is designed to help carers to understand stress and its impact, stress triggers, develop techniques to plan for and manage stress. What carers will get from this course Identified ways…
Find out more »Addiction and The Brain
Many carers are caring for someone with an addiction or have an addiction themselves, find out more about what happens in the brain when someone is addicted to something? Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Anyone who has dealt with or is dealing with the addiction of another person. Weekly Breakdown Come along to hear a Talk by Dr David McCartney, Clinical Lead at The Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP) on “Addiction & The Brain”. What carers…
Find out more »Drama workshop (November)
Would you like to explore the theatre, either on or off stage? As a way to take a break from your caring role or as a way to explore your caring experience. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for anyone regardless of their experience or confidence on or off stage. There will be a role or a job for anyone interested. Weekly Breakdown The group will work together towards a performance piece. What carers will…
Find out more »Smart House visit
Technology can make life easier for people with mobility, memory, or learning issues and their carers. Duration: 1 day Who is this visit for? Any carer but it might be of particular interest to those who are supporting someone with dementia, a child with additional needs, learning disability, mobility problems or a stroke. Weekly Breakdown An information session on smart home technology that supports safe and independent living. Come and try technology such as: Voice-assisted home controls Computer access Digital…
Find out more »Visit to The Dementia Services Centre
A visit to the Dementia Services Centre at Stirling University, Europe’s leading research centre. Duration: 1 day Who is this visit for? Carers who are supporting someone with dementia. Weekly Breakdown The visit to the Dementia Services Centre will focus on a guided tour of the design and technology centre which houses a range of over 100 pieces of equipment and technology to support people with dementia and their carers with all aspects of life. What carers will get from…
Find out more »Peer Support for parents & carers (Midlothian) (November)
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 »Conversation Cafe: (Gilmerton) (November)
So often carers can feel left out of the conversation as their experiences and situation can set them apart from others. VOCAL aims to allow carers to join in and be part of the conversation. Duration: 1 week Who is this conversation cafe for? Carers who would like to come together with other carers for coffee and discussion. Weekly Breakdown Each meeting has a different theme allowing carers to discuss and share a range of topics. What carers will get…
Find out more »Conversation Cafe: (South Queensferry) (November)
So often carers can feel left out of the conversation as their experiences and situation can set them apart from others. VOCAL aims to allow carers to join in and be part of the conversation. Duration: 1 week Who is this conversation cafe for? Carers who would like to come together with other carers for coffee and discussion. Weekly Breakdown Each meeting has a different theme allowing carers to discuss and share a range of topics. What carers will get…
Find out more »Carer Coffee Morning with guest speaker (November)(Midlothian)
Opportunity to meet with other carers. Duration: 1 week Who is this coffee morning for? Unpaid carers who live or care for someone in Midlothian. Weekly Breakdown Come along 10-11am and enjoy a cuppa and blether with other carers in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. From 11am-12noon: Crime/Scam prevention; Midlothian Crime Prevention officer from Police Scotland will attend to chat to carers about how to protect yourself and provide useful information on how to keep yourself safe! What carers will…
Find out more »Carer Mindfulness Group (27th Nov)(Midlothian)
Many people use mindfulness to help them lead a calmer and less stressed life and to help improve their sense of wellbeing. Duration: 1 week Who is this group 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 you must have previous knowledge and already practice…
Find out more »Saving money on your energy bills
Gas and electricity is expensive for everyone and often particularly so for carers and people with health difficulties. Many carers are paying more than they need to. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers interested in reducing the amount they pay on fuel bills. Weekly Breakdown With help from Changeworks learn how to really understand your fuel statements and bills, learn how to use and trust price comparison sites confidently, receive support to make a change to your…
Find out more »Dementia Information Day (Sat)(November)
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 key questions. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This day is ideal for carers who are supporting someone who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. Weekly Breakdown This one day event delivered by a Nurse Specialist will provide information about dementia…
Find out more »December 2019
Stress Management (December)
Modern life can be stressful and caring roles particularly so. Many carers can find it difficult to manage stress levels which can have negative effects. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress. Weekly Breakdown This session is designed to help carers to understand stress and its impact, stress triggers, develop techniques to plan for and manage stress. What carers will get from this course Identified ways…
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