East Lothian Third Sector Update | 15/01/2025
Welcome to the latest Third Sector Update for East Lothian.
Newsletter Categories:
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATION
ORGANISATIONAL UPDATES
VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS
FUNDING & GRANTS
TRAINING & EVENTS
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
OPPORTUNITIES & VACANCIES
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATION
Have Your Say: East Lothian Equality Outcomes 2025-2029
The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies, such as local authorities and health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) to develop equality outcomes every four years.
East Lothian has been working with partners across Midlothian and West Lothian to identify themes on which we can take action.
This is your chance to share your views on the themes and your suggestions for actions to help us understand which things are most important to you.
You can answer for yourself (as a private citizen), as a representative of a group, or as part of your professional role. You can share your views on all equality theme areas, or just the ones most relevant to you or your work.
This pan-Lothian survey is being hosted online by our partners at Midlothian Council.
You will be asked to select which part of the Lothians your answers relate to in the first question of the survey. Please avoid identifying yourself or others in your answers.
Equality Outcomes Survey 2025-2029 - Midlothian Council
Scottish Labour Policy Forum Seeking Feedback
Feedback from the consultation will form a crucial part of their manifesto development process.
Scottish Labour are keen that third sector organisations are involved with the process by feeding in key ideas and expertise from their organisation to help guide the development of their manifesto document. There are a large range of questions across a number of different policy areas in the document; they stress that questions are there as a guide and you only need to respond to what is relevant to you.
Scottish Policy Forum - Focus on the Future
ORGANISATIONAL UPDATES
New Intergenerational Resources for the Education Sector in 2025
To support the growth of intergenerational work within the education sector, GWT are pleased to announce a new package of support available for teachers, staff and volunteers interested in or involved in, delivering intergenerational work with school pupils.
To support the growth of intergenerational work within the education sector, GWT are pleased to announce a new package of support available for teachers, staff and volunteers interested in or involved in, delivering intergenerational work with school pupils.
This is offered through:
A new GWT Education Network which will meet online three times a year from 4pm -6pm. The aim of the Network is to share peer experience, knowledge, and research, through discussion opportunities, bite size training and guest presentations.
A programme of six weekly themed lesson plans linked to the curriculum (by Education Scotland) which prepares primary school children for engaging in intergenerational sessions with older adults in sheltered housing/residential care. The weekly lesson plans can be accessed by GWT members through the GWT online Moodle platform and come with additional downloadable resources to support children’s learning.
Additionally, GWT will release two new best practice handbooks, "Intergenerational Guide for Primary School Education" and "A Teachers Guide to Intergenerational Learning". GWT are also running two Q&A educational sector information sessions on the 23rd and 28th of January. You can book a place here.
Please note: GWT membership is free for individuals living in Scotland.
Launch of New Intergenerational Resources for the Education Sector in 2025 - Generations Working Together
VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS
Nominate Your Youth Work Heroes!
Nominations for this year’s National Youth Work Awards are open until Monday 27th January.
The 2025 National Youth Work Awards are open for nominations! This is your chance to recognise and celebrate the youth workers, projects and youth work organisations transforming young lives across Scotland. From innovative initiatives to inspiring mentors, we want to hear about the impactful work making a difference for Scotland’s young people.
Know someone who deserves recognition for improving the lives of young people? Whether they’re a dedicated youth worker, an outstanding young leader, or part of an extraordinary project, now’s the time to nominate them for the recognition they deserve. Let’s celebrate those who are paving the way for Scotland’s future.
Nominating is simple! Use the nomination form to put a spotlight on the individual, project, or organisation you believe deserves to be recognised in 2025. Don’t miss the deadline of 27th January to ensure your nominee is considered! Use this Nomination Guidance to give your nomination the best chance of being shortlisted.
Nominate Your Youth Work Heroes - YouthLink Scotland
FUNDING & GRANTS
The Royal Countryside Fund ‘Supporting Rural Communities’ Grant Programme is Now Open!
Empowering rural communities to develop community-led solutions that increase their resilience and sustainability.
There is a two-stage application process. Initially, you will need to send a short video and complete the simple ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) form on Royal Countryside Fund's website. These should explain who you are, what you aim to do, why your project is needed and how it will help your community. You should also set out how your project meets RCF's funding priorities. If your EOI is a good fit with the programme, you will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Supporting Local Communities - The Royal Countryside Fund
Stronger Starts North Berwick
Funding for activities with children and young people in east of East Lothian.
The North Berwick Tesco ‘Stronger Starts’ (Blue Token votes) is looking for applications from local groups from the North Berwick Coastal and Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership areas.
This is a rolling programme, where community groups, charities and local authorities can apply for funding all year round. Every three months, after the Blue Token votes have been counted, three local groups are awarded:
Group with the highest number of Blue Token votes - £1,500
Group with the second highest number of Blue Token votes - £1,000
Group with third highest number of Blue Token votes - £500.
If you would like your group to be considered for inclusion in Tesco’s April – June Blue Token customer voting, make sure you apply before the end of January. Awards to successful applicants will be made in August 2025 and awardees have a year to spend the funds.
Applications are open to all local good causes, with the current priority helping projects that support young people’s health and wellbeing as well as local-store-nominated good causes.
This is also a great opportunity for groups to promote the good work that you do locally.
For more info follow this link https://tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/ and don’t hesitate to contact Tamara, Tesco’s local community enabler, who can help you with the application process – tamara@greenspacescotland.org.uk 07825 671 968.
Red House Home Trust
Red House Home Trust’s objectives are to promote education and training of young persons under the age of 22 who are in need of care, are living in deprived circumstances or otherwise require assistance in adjusting to independent living.
With the closure of the Home, the Trust Deed has been revised and the remaining funds invested, the income of which is used to pay out grants. In practice, grants are made to individuals and groups for the education and training of young persons under the age of 22 residing in East Lothian. Around £10,000 is available for distribution each. Grants range from £180 to £1,500.
To apply, complete and return the application form. The Trustees normally meet three times a year to review applications and agree grants. You can find the forms and more information below.
How to Apply - Red House Home Trust
TRAINING & EVENTS
New for 2025! Register to Join Our Volunteer Managers Forum Today
Our Volunteer Managers' Forums are open to anyone who works or volunteers in East Lothian and who is involved in the recruitment and/or management/supervision of volunteers.
The forum will give you the chance to meet other Volunteer Managers, and share ideas and approaches to various issues that are important within the volunteering sector.
Come along on January 30th for the first in-person event.
VCEL Volunteer Managers Forum - Eventbrite
Second Haddington Meeting Centre Workshop
As part of the ongoing conversation about a meeting centre in Haddington, Dementia Friendly East Lothian have booked the Maitlandfield Hotel on January 16th for a second workshop.
Meeting Centres are social clubs which offer on-going warm and friendly expert support to improve the quality of life for people with mild to moderate dementia, families and friends. They help people adjust to living with the symptoms and changes that dementia brings. Meeting Centres are a resource, providing support for people with early to mid-stage dementia and care-partners, based on evidence of what works. Originally developed in the Netherlands, Meeting Centres are now growing around the world.
Please contact Sue Northrop (Sue@dfel.org.uk) to book your place.
A Meeting Centre for Haddington? Starting the Conversation - Dementia Friendly East Lothian
Unboxed Play Sessions Haddington Meeting Centre Workshop
Unboxed is FREE, fun and friendly!
Unboxed is a simple idea inspired by the play value of cardboard boxes! For five days, the Corn Exchange in Haddington will be transformed into a hive of activity as children's imagination, creativity and construction skills are put to use with an abundance of cardboard resources and simple tools. The Choose Play team will be on hand to help you throughout the event.
Several events will run from the 15th to the 19th of January. See the link below for information on quiet and ASN friendly sessions.
Like all Choose Play events, a quieter, low-sensory space away from the hustle and bustle of the main hall will be available to anyone who needs it. If you would like to use it, simply let us know on the day. Look out for 'visual stories' about the event on our social media to share with children so they know what to expect.
Unboxed is free of charge but booking is recommended. Adults and children require a ticket. There may be some space available on the day at the discretion of the organisers.
Unboxed | The Brunton
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
CHEX: Working Across Scotland to Promote Community-Led Health
Community-led health is a way for people to take joint action to improve things for their community, leading to improved health and wellbeing.
CHEX (Community Health EXchange) is a national network, working with community-led health organisations, local authorities, the NHS and Scottish Government to promote the approach as a way to tackle Scotland’s persistent health inequalities.
The network is open to individuals working in or interested in community-led health from across all sectors. Being involved with the CHEX Network provides the opportunity to come together, across all sectors, to share learning and practice as well as influence policy and showcase good practice. You will also receive our popular fortnightly bulletin, Snippets, which features the latest relevant news, events, vacancies, reports and more. You can sign up on our website.
The network is open to individuals working in or interested in community-led health from across all sectors. Being involved with the CHEX Network provides the opportunity to come together, across all sectors, to share learning and practice as well as influence policy and showcase good practice. You will also receive fortnightly bulletin, Snippets, which features the latest relevant news, events, vacancies, reports and more. You can sign up on the CHEX website.
There are also a host of new items available in the resource hub, which provides useful and relevant information on topics such as: how community-led health works in practice, the social determinants of health and health inequalities.
Welcome to CHEX: The Community Health Exchange - CHEX
Eastspace Winter Wellbeing Toolkit
Now that the festive season is behind us, January can feel especially tough. The shorter days, colder nights, and return to routine can bring up difficult emotions, leaving many of us feeling low or overwhelmed.
That’s why the Eastspace Winter Wellbeing Toolkit is here to help. Packed with practical tips, tools, and resources, it’s designed to support you and those around you in navigating this challenging time and finding what helps you feel good, stay strong, and look after your wellbeing all season long.
From arts and crafts ideas to mindfulness and wellbeing techniques, there's a whole array of resources to keep you going this winter.
Winter Wellbeing in East Lothian - Eastspace
OPPORTUNITIES & VACANCIES
Permanent ASN Support Worker
SALARY: £15ph (negotiable)
LOCATION: Pencaitland
This is an opportunity to work with a 15-year-old year girl with a physical disability. She needs support with personal care and sometimes someone to be around in the background while she is out doing normal teenage girl stuff with her friends. She is chatty and engaging to be with. All conversations with prospective carers would involve this young person. She is a wheelchair user, and the family would provide training in all aspects of her care.
The hours are 3.30pm to 6.30pm school term time (in line with East Lothian Council dates) across 4 weekdays. However, the family know that after-school times can be tricky so are happy to be flexible with time and days for the right candidate. The start date is mid January. A car will be provided for the successful candidate, but driving is not a necessity.
Permanent ASN Support Worker - Lothian Childcare Solutions
Project Coordinator
SALARY: £15ph
LOCATION: North Berwick/Portobello
Beach Wheelchairs are looking for a caring and motivated individual for a brand new role of Project Coordinator!
The post is fixed term of 2 years (although the hope is to extend this) and is for an average of 15 hours per week which will be worked flexibly. The Project Coordinator role will cover current projects in North Berwick and Portobello. You will work closely with volunteers, expand the volunteer base, represent the charity and market their services as well as having an active role at both the Beach Hut in North Berwick and the container in Portobello.
Project Coordinator Role - Beach Wheelchairs