At VOCAL, we hold monthly peer support groups in local areas. Some groups are about connecting carers, while others focus on a specific condition of the person you care for, such as a mental health condition, or additional support needs.
VOCAL support groups in Edinburgh
Connecting Carers (North East)
- Date and time: Last Wednesday of the month, from 12pm to 1pm
- Venue: Portobello Beach Bistro, 56 Kings Road, Edinburgh, EH15 1DX
Connecting Carers (North West)
- Date and time: Third Tuesday of the month, from 11am to 12pm
- Venue: Either Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway, Edinburgh, EH5 2PW or St Ninian’s Church, 144 St John’s Road, Corstorphine, EH12 8AY
Conversation Cafe (North West)
- Date and time: Last Tuesday of the month, from 10:30am to 12pm
- Venue: Various locations in North West Edinburgh. Please contact Gillian to find out where this month’s meeting is.
Connecting Carers (South East)
- Date and time: Second Tuesday of the month, from 2pm to 3pm
- Venue: Gilmerton Community Centre, 4 Drum Street, Edinburgh, EH17 8QG
Connecting Carers (South West)
- Date and time: Once a month on a Monday (exact date varies each month), from 1:30pm to 2:30pm
- Venue: Usually The Meeting Place, 99 Forth View Crescent, Currie, EH14 5QP. Sometimes another local cafe or venue in Currie
Parent carers peer support group
- For parent carers of a child who is struggling with their mental health or has Additional Support Needs
- Date and time: First Monday of the month, from 12pm to 1pm
- Venue: VOCAL Edinburgh Carers’ Hub, 60 Leith Walk, EH6 5HB
SMART meeting
- This group is for friends and family of someone who uses alcohol or drugs. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training
- Date and time: Every two weeks on a Wednesday, from 2pm to 4pm
- Venue: VOCAL Edinburgh Carers’ Hub, 60 Leith Walk, EH6 5HB
Carer support groups from other organisations
Bipolar Edinburgh
- For carers of someone with bipolar disorder
- Date and time: Last Tuesday of the month, from 7pm to 8:30pm
- Venue: Online, on Zoom
Partners in Advocacy
- For family and friends supporting someone age 16+ with mental illness, eating disorders, dementia, learning disabilities, autism or acquired brain injury
- Group 1: Second Tuesday of the month, from 11am to 12:30pm, at Great Michael House, 14 Links Place, EH6 7EZ
- Group 2: Last Friday of the month, from 2pm to 3:30pm, at SAMH Redhall Walled Garden, 97 Lanark Road, EH14 2LZ
Space @ The Broomhouse Hub
- For any adults with a caring role
- Date and time: Last Wednesday of the month, from 6pm to 8pm
- Venue: Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, 78-89 Broomhouse Crescent, Edinburgh, EH11 3RH
Alzheimer Scotland: Midlothian
- Dementia Cafés are for people living with dementia and their families. You can meet others in a similar situation, develop friendships, and learn from each other and Alzheimer Scotland staff and volunteers. The first half hour is spent together, as a whole group, taking refreshments, and getting to know each other. We then split into an activities group and facilitated carer support group for the remaining hour
- Group 1: Second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 2pm to 3:30pm, at Dalkeith Baptist Church, 8 North Wynd, Dalkeith, EH22 1JE
- Group 2: First and third Thursday of the month, from 1:30pm to 3pm, at Cowan Court, Eastfield Drive, Penicuik, EH26 8BF
- Call Michael on 0131 654 1114
Alzheimer Scotland: Edinburgh
All Alzheimer Scotland Edinburgh groups run at their offices: 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ. Call 0131 551 9350 to find out more.
- Oasis café: Practical and emotional support for people living with dementia (of any age), their carers, and families. The carer support group runs at the same time as the activity for people with dementia
- Second Wednesday of the month, from 1:30pm to 2pm. Booking is required
- Long-term care and bereavement group: Informal peer support for those who are bereaved or whose loved ones are in long-term care
- Fourth Wednesday of the month, from 2pm to 3:30pm
- 160 café: Practical and emotional support for people living with dementia (of any age), their carers, and families. The carer support group runs at the same time as the activity for people with dementia
- Third Wednesday of the month, from 1:30pm to 2pm. Booking is required
- Carer drop-in: Informal session for carers to come together and share experiences. The Dementia Advisor also provides information
- Third Friday of the month, from 11am to 12pm
Heart Meeting Centre, Newhaven
- For carers of someone living with dementia
- Date and time: First and last Tuesday of the month, from 12:30pm to 1pm
- Venue: The Heart of Newhaven, 4 to 6 Main Street, Newhaven, Edinburgh, EH6 4HY
- Spaces are limited, so please contact before attending
VOCAL Facebook groups
Follow the links below and click ‘Join’. You will be asked three questions and your request will be sent for approval. Only the VOCAL administration team will see your answers – this is to ensure that only carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian are admitted to the groups.
Midlothian parents and carers peer support
A closed Facebook group for parent carers in Midlothian to chat, share information and ideas.
Carers @ Work
For working carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian. This is a safe space to connect, share experiences, and access helpful resources.
Community groups in Midlothian
The Midlothian Carer Community Fund is an initiative led by us at VOCAL, and funded by Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership, which distributes direct grants to community organisations. We aim to expand support for local carers and improve the community.
Here are some regular services which have been funded by VOCAL:
Loanhead Community Garden: Art and nature wellness workshops
- Art and nature wellness workshops offering respite for unpaid carers
- Date and time: First and third Tuesday of each month, from 11am to 1pm
- Venue: meet at Loanhead Leisure Centre and Library
The Beacon, Gorebridge: Breather cafe
- Take a break, connect, and recharge at the Breather Care for unpaid carers
- Venue: The Gorebridge Beacon, Hunterfield Road, Gorebridge, EH23 4TT
- Date and time: Saturdays from 12:30pm to 2pm.
Glencorse Centre, Penicuik: Health Walk
- Weekly health walk for carers
- Venue: meet at the Glencorse Centre, 4 Firth Road, Penicuik EH26 0QZ
- Date and time: Tuesdays from 10:30am to 12pm
Woodburn Community Hub, Dalkeith: Art for Life
- Run by your local art group, Dalkeith Arts, this informal supportive class is all about giving you a bit of time and support for yourself
- Venue: Woodburn Community Hub, 10 Woodburn Road, Dalkeith
- Date and time: Tuesdays from 2:15pm to 3:30pm, starting on 16 September
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