News

Winter preparedness plan for Scotland 2023/24 Scottish Government and COSLA published a joint Health and social care winter preparedness plan for 2023-2024 The purpose of a Winter Plan is to outline the priorities for health boards and local authorities across Scotland over the winter months when pressures on health and social care will increase significantly. In response to the Winter … Read more

We held our Annual General Meeting on 29th November at the Maitlandfield House Hotel in Haddington. We were delighted that lots of members and other interested people could attend. During the meeting, the management of CoEL was explained to everyone present and opportunities were provided for questions before voting on business items occurred. We heard … Read more

With the continuing cost of living crisis, we know that financial matters will be on many carers minds more than ever before. The latest charges applying to social care support for people at home (non-residential care charging) can be found online. We are sharing a link to this information.

At Carers of East Lothian (CoEL) we know that many carers are facing increased costs and additional financial pressure at the moment. That’s why, with funding from East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership, CoEL is making available grants of up to £100* to help those carers who are facing financial insecurity. If you are … Read more

In October 2022, we launched our ‘Time For Me’ carer grants scheme, enabling unpaid carers to take a much-needed break from caring. In its first year the programme has supported 296 carers to take a break. These grants are made possible thanks to funding from Scottish Government (via Shared Care Scotland) and East Lothian Health … Read more

We were thrilled to join Coalition of Carers In Scotland and VOCAL Edinburgh at Edinburgh City Chambers for their event ‘The next Chapter: Making Carers Rights a Reality’.

CoEL have been running a 4-week introduction to mindfulness for unpaid carers. Mindfulness is a gentle and safe way of slowing down our busy lives and can help us in times of stress. The group have been experimenting with focusing on their senses, breath and thoughts as stepping stones to becoming more mindful. The sessions are … Read more

Carers created this beautiful art work whilst trying their hand at gel printing, which was new to all who participated. The art work was showcased in the window of MADE, Community Hub in Haddington where the carers were introduced to the new skill. The purpose was to raise awareness of unpaid care in the local … Read more

CoEL launched a new, regular crafting group ‘Care to Create’ hosted at Haddington Day Centre and led by our wonderful Volunteers Julie and Jenny. Carers will meet monthly to try a new craft or share a craft that they already know with the rest of the group. During the first session, carers made these beautiful … Read more