Groups

Peer Support Groups in Edinburgh

For more up-to-date information on VOCAL’s and other organisations’ support groups, please visit the VOCAL website. You can also contact us on 0808 196 6666 or centre@vocal.org.uk (Edinburgh) or midlothian@vocal.org.uk (Midlothian).

Local groups for all conditions

SMART Recovery meeting for family and friends

  • SMART recovery family and friends is a secular mutual support programme for family and friends of individuals with addictive behaviours. In our meetings we explore ways participants can look after themselves better, even in stressful circumstances, and establish healthier relationships with their loved one.
  • In person – every 2 weeks, on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
  • Find out more on the VOCAL website or contact Stuart on sbyrne@vocal.org.uk or Heriot on hphilbrick-smith@vocal.org.uk

Conversation Cafe (North West)

  • In person – last Tuesday of the month, 10:30am-12pm
  • Contact – Gillian Smith, VOCAL gsmith@vocal.org.uk

Connecting Carers (North West)

Connecting Carers (South East)

  • In person – the second Tuesday of the month, 2pm – 3pm at Gilmerton Community Centre
  • Contact – Lizzie Ashworth, VOCAL lashworth@vocal.org.uk

Connecting Carers (North East)

  • In person – last Wednesday of the month, 12pm-1pm
  • Contact – Mark Ralton, VOCAL mralton@vocal.org.uk

Connecting Carers (South West) in partnership with The Meeting Place

  • In person – once a month on a Monday, 1:30pm – 2:30pm in Currie
  • Contact – Claudine Davison, VOCAL cdavison@vocal.org.uk

BEMAS Carers Group- Run by The Action Group For Parent Carers from Black Minority Ethnic Communities who have a disabled child/child with support needs (18 and under).

Parents Carewell Group- For Parent Carers of young adults (16+) (Run by The Action Group)

Carers Peer Support Group (Partners in Advocacy Edinburgh Carers Services)

  • In person – second Tuesday of the month from 11am-12:30pm at Great Michael House, 14 Links Place.
  • In person – last Friday of the month from 2pm-3:30pm at SAMH Redhall Walled Garden, 97 Lanark Road.
  • Contact – edinburghcarers@partnersinadvocacy.org.uk or call 07784 922206

One Sixty Group

  • Monthly café offering practical and emotional support for people living with dementia (of any age), their carers, and families. VOCAL have a carer support group which runs during the group, whilst there is an activity group for the people living with dementia.
  • In person – third Wednesday of every month, 2pm-3:30pm at 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh EH11 1DQ.
  • Contact – Alzheimer Scotland on 0131 551 9350

Space Adult Carers (by Space @ The Broomhouse Hub)

  • In person – last Wednesday of the month, 6pm – 8pm at Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, 78-89 Broomhouse Crescent, EH11 3RH
  • Contact – 0131 455 7731 or adultcarers@spacescot.org

Peer support group for parent carers of a child (of any age) with additional support needs or struggling with their mental health

  • In person at VOCAL Edinburgh Carers’ Hub
  • Normally the first Monday of the month 12-1pm
  • Contact – Tammy Davidson at VOCAL: tdavidson@vocal.org.uk to join the mailing list

Mental health carers

Support group for carers of Bipolar (Bipolar Edinburgh)

Mental health peer support group for carers (Eric Liddell Community)

  • In person – third Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm – 7:30pm at the Eric Liddell Community, 15 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH 4DP
  • Contact – Eric Liddell Community, McCarthyl@ericliddell.org.uk