Carers can join our 4-week poetry course, where no previous experience is needed! Come along to meet others and get creative on Weds, 10:30am–11:45am, starting Wed 4 Sept: ow.ly/XzQU50T6prx

Unpaid carers wondering how to manage their caring role while looking after themselves are welcome to join our online Coping Strategies event on Thu 5 Sept, 1pm-2:30pm: ow.ly/tB4350T6pEC

VOCAL offers free courses for professionals to enhance their skills in identifying, supporting, and referring carers. Our upcoming session will focus on our Wee Breaks service and how carers can take a break. Join on Thu 5 Sep, 12pm or Tue 1 Oct, 3pm: ow.ly/NJML50T6lRT

Our session on Wed 4 Sep from 6pm - 8pm explores why children and young people can have sensory processing difficulties. To find out more about what to expect from the session, Corrie has created a video: youtube.com/shorts/CDVjgzS… Book your space: ow.ly/gez650T9Kwj

Join us for our next CAM (Carers Action Midlothian) meeting on Tue 10 Sep, 10:30am-12pm! Here carers can have their voice heard, share experiences and provide feedback on local services: ow.ly/6FUh50T6pL0

Parent carers of a child aged 16+ with additional support needs are invited to join our peer support group. Here you can discuss important issues for parent carers and meet others. Our next session is on Wed 11 Sep, 6pm-7:30pm: ow.ly/8lHf50T6pS7

Unpaid carers who have balanced caring responsibilities with paid work will know how difficult this can be. To discuss this and meet other working carers, join our workshop on Wed 11 Sep, 7pm-8pm: ow.ly/MURN50T6q08

Having a child in the hospital can create financial stress for families due to time off work, travel, and food expenses. Support is available to help with some of these costs – find out more on the NHS website: ow.ly/JKgF50T9CkO

Carers are invited to come along to Cousland Village Hall community café on Sat 7 Sep, 10:30am – 12:30pm and find out more about VOCAL services and the support available! No need to book – just pop along!

Come and join us in the ‘Walk the Line’ event on Sat 28 Sep. There are walks of various lengths from Penicuik to Eskbank. Interested? Please get in touch with us on 0131 663 6869 or email [email protected] to sign up!

Carers seeking advice and information on their rights, including Power of Attorney and Guardianship, can come along to our session with the Mental Welfare Scot Commission for Scotland on Thu 12 Sep, 12pm-1:30pm: ow.ly/mept50T6q7l

Last week, we proudly celebrated 30 years of VOCAL! Our event for carers and partners was a great success, filled with reflection on our history and the evolution of the carers’ movement in Scotland. Read full story here: ow.ly/hxiU50TfbVv

The Department for Work and Pensions is urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit in order to secure this year’s Winter Fuel Payment. You have until 21st Dec to apply. For more information: ow.ly/Vpjn50Tf6ry

Self-directed support can allow you more flexibility in the care packages you receive. To find out more about the process and who is eligible, you can join our online workshop on Monday 16 September, 12:30pm to 2pm: ow.ly/eGxA50T6qz9

This year’s National Care Service Forum takes place on Mon 7 Oct at Glasgow Science Centre and online. Tickets are now available to book here: bit.ly/ncsforum You can find out more information about the National Care Service at gov.scot/policies/socia…

Our new printed edition of Carer News will be arriving on doorsteps this week! It’s packed with information, advice, and carer stories. You can read the digital version here: ow.ly/vRoh50Tf676

Our amazing colleagues Wendy, Graeme, Tammy, and Mari are getting ready to lace up their comfiest walking shoes and sport their finest tartan as they take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on Sun 15 Sep for VOCAL! You can donate here: ow.ly/zkeJ50Tfbgy

In partnership with Dynamic Earth, VOCAL is offering carers and their families the chance to attend Dynamic Earth’s Relaxed Hours Opening Day on Wed 11 Sep, 10am-4pm. This includes quiet spaces, fewer visitors, etc. Carers can request their space here: ow.ly/nHjJ50TgeSu

Shubhanna Hussain, Partnership Development Officer Coalition of Carers in Scotland (COCIS), recently did an interview with Carers of Dundee about carers being aware of their human rights. Watch the video: ow.ly/kcla50TgpWk or read more on COCIS website: ow.ly/b9c350TgpWl #MakingRightsReal

The Cerebral Palsy Scotland Annual Conference and Exhibition is on Wed 2 Oct at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. This free event is for anyone with experience of cerebral palsy – directly, through family or professionally. See the programme and register here: ow.ly/UJ2e50TgqvC