East Lothian Third Sector Update | 26/05/2026
Welcome to this week’s East Lothian Third Sector Update.
We’ve pulled together key funding opportunities, upcoming training, and sector updates to support your organisation – including Carers Week events, new grants, and volunteer opportunities across East Lothian.
Newsletter Categories:
GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATION
Your Duty to Refer
Understanding your legal responsibility to report harmful behaviour
If your organisation has staff or volunteers in regulated roles, you have a legal duty to report harmful behaviour to Disclosure Scotland. This is known as the Duty to Refer.
It is vital to understand when and how to act to ensure compliance and protect others.
The Duty to Refer Process Learning Byte explains:
The background to Duty to Refer
Your responsibilities
The actions you need to take
Practical tips to help you manage this duty confidently
Taking a few minutes to complete this learning will help ensure you are meeting your obligations and safeguarding those you support.
👉Access the learning here: https://www.volunteerscotland.net/disclosure-services/vsds-training-learning#Learning-Bytes
ORGANISATIONAL UPDATES
Carers Week 2026 – Events in East Lothian
Supporting and recognising unpaid carers in our communities
Carers Week 2026 takes place from 8–14 June, raising awareness of unpaid carers and the vital role they play in families and communities.
This year’s theme, “Building Carer Friendly Communities,” highlights the importance of ensuring carers are recognised, supported and able to access the help they need.
What’s happening locally
Carers of East Lothian is delivering a programme of events across the week, offering opportunities for carers to take part in a range of activities.
These include:
Wellbeing and creative sessions
Outdoor and social activities
Opportunities to connect with other carers
Drop-in information sessions
An online “Think Carer” session for professionals
Events will take place in locations across East Lothian to make them as accessible as possible.
Why it matters
Carers Week is an opportunity to recognise the contribution of unpaid carers, highlight the challenges they face, and encourage communities and organisations to provide better support
Find out more
👉View the full programme and book: https://www.coel.org.uk/news-information/carers-week-2026-programme-of-events/
VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS
Strong Demand for Volunteers Continues
Ongoing need for volunteers across East Lothian
There is continued strong demand for volunteers across East Lothian, as local organisations respond to growing community needs.
A wide range of opportunities, training and community activities are available, making it easier for people to get involved in ways that suit their time and skills.
While recruitment and retention remain a challenge, volunteering continues to play a vital role in supporting services and strengthening communities.
👉Find out more: https://www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk/
Wider Governance and Sector Developments
Key updates for the voluntary sector
There are several wider developments shaping volunteering and governance across Scotland.
👉 Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan continues to focus on improving access to volunteering and reducing barriers:
https://www.gov.scot/policies/third-sector/volunteering/👉 Ongoing policy work and engagement is helping shape future priorities for a more inclusive and sustainable volunteering sector:
https://www.volunteerscotland.net/policy/policy-publications👉 A new Governance Wiki offers practical guidance to help organisations manage governance, compliance and good practice:
https://nen.press/governancewiki-a-new-resource-for-scotlands-third-sector/
FUNDING & GRANTS
Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants
Funding to support children’s access to healthy food
Tesco’s Fruit and Veg Grants programme is now open, offering funding to help schools and community groups improve access to healthy food and support children’s wellbeing.
Grants of up to £1,500 are available for projects that include a healthy eating element, such as providing snacks, cooking activities, growing fruit and vegetables, or supporting food access initiatives.
Funding is awarded through Tesco’s blue token voting scheme, where customers vote for local projects in store:
1st place: up to £1,500
2nd place: up to £1,000
3rd place: £500
Across Scotland, over £261,000 is distributed every four months.
Who can apply?
Schools, community and voluntary organisations, charities, youth groups, sports clubs, and public bodies supporting children and young people.
👉 For support, contact Sharon Stoddart at greenspace Scotland:
sharon.stoddart@greenspacescotland.org.uk | 07825 678249
👉 Apply online: https://www.tescoplc.com/fruit-and-veg-grants
Easyfundraising: Turn Everyday Online Shopping into Funding for Your Organisation
Over £2.2 million has just been given to community and voluntary led organisations using easyfundraising. All courtesy of retailers giving donations when people shop online. You can be part of the next funding pay out in August by setting up a free easyfundraising page for your organisation.
👉 Find out more: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/east-lothian/
Simply register your organisation as a good cause with easyfundraising and ask your network (volunteers staff, trustees, family etc) to choose you as the cause they want to support. Then, each time they shop online with over 8,000 well known retailers like Tesco, trainline, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Booking.com, eBay and many more, they’ll raise a cashback donation for your organisation, courtesy of the retailer they shopped with – at no extra cost to anyone.
Every three months, the money raised is paid to your organisation and you can spend it on whatever you like as this classes as unrestricted funding.
👉 Find out more and register your organisation at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/east-lothian/
TRAINING & EVENTS
Booking Opens for Peer Connects 2026/27
Support, learn and grow peer support across Scotland
Scottish Recovery Network has launched its Peer Connects programme for 2026/27, bringing together people from across Scotland through in-person events and webinars.
Sessions will explore what helps peer support thrive, including leadership, lived experience and building a supported peer workforce.
Whether you are new to peer support or already involved, these events offer a chance to connect, learn and share practice.
👉 Book your place and explore the programme: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/a9b7d8163a.html
Headway East Lothian Community Celebration
Join Headway East Lothian to celebrate their community
Headway East Lothian is hosting a celebration event to recognise the dedication and achievements of its community.
The event is an opportunity to come together and acknowledge the contributions that have helped shape the organisation’s work and impact.
Event details
Tuesday 25 August
11.00am – 2.00pm
St Cecilia’s Hall
50 Niddry Street
Edinburgh EH1 1LG
👉 To attend, RSVP to Joyce Cattanach:headwayeastlothian@live.co.uk | 07895193974
Adult Support and Protection Level 3 Training
Inter-agency training for staff working with vulnerable adults
Bookings are open for Adult Support and Protection Roles and Responsibilities (Level 3) training, delivered online via MS Teams.
Dates and times
Tuesday 28 July and Wednesday 29 July 2026
9.30am – 1.00pm
This course is aimed at multi-agency staff and managers in East Lothian and Midlothian who work directly with vulnerable adults and want to build their knowledge of adult protection.
The training will cover:
Policy and legislation
Roles of agencies involved in adult protection
Key processes, including referrals and case conferences
Risk assessment and risk management
Participants should have completed introductory Adult Support and Protection learning or be familiar with EMPPC guidance before attending.
👉 Further information: Find out more about Adult Support and Protection guidance and procedures: https://www.emppc.co.uk/public-protection/adult-support-and-protection/
Summer of Sport 2026 – Free Training for Coaches and Volunteers
Fully funded learning opportunities now available
sportscotland is offering a programme of free online training sessions for coaches and volunteers supporting Summer of Sport activity in 2026.
Sessions cover key topics including person-centred coaching, neurodiversity, managing challenging behaviour, autism awareness and wellbeing—helping volunteers build skills, confidence and inclusive practice
Courses run throughout June and are open to those aged 16+, with limited places available.
View sessions and book:
Person-centred coaching: https://forms.office.com
Neurodiversity awareness: https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/enable-works-neurodiversity-awareness-tickets-1989908859967
Managing behaviour: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-and-managing-behaviour-that-challenges-16062026-tickets-1990158282998
Autism awareness: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/enable-works-autism-awareness-tickets-1989910364467
👉 For more information: Coaching&Volunteering@sportscotland.org.uk
COMMUNITY & WELLBEING
Help Shape East Lothian’s Participation and Engagement Strategy
Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) is hosting a discussion session to gather feedback on the draft Participation and Engagement Strategy.
The strategy looks at how the East Lothian Partnership engages with communities and involves people in decision-making. This session is an opportunity for community groups and organisations to help ensure it reflects local needs and experiences.
What will be discussed
What meaningful participation should look like
Who is least likely to be heard
Barriers to involvement
Support needed for communities and organisations
The role of the third sector
How feedback and changes should be communicated
Input from the session will also inform the Integrated Impact Assessment, ensuring the strategy works fairly for all communities.
Session details
In-person session
9 June 2026
9:30am – 12:30pm
56 High Street, Tranent
In-person session: https://vcel.tfaforms.net/99?eventid=a05P300000OvmBn
Online session
9 June 2026
1:30pm – 4:30pm
Microsoft Teams
Support is available for accessibility, transport, interpretation and other needs.
Online session : https://vcel.tfaforms.net/99?eventid=a05P300000OvovS
Dunbar Submits Town of Culture Bid
Ambition to showcase local culture and community
Dunbar has submitted an expression of interest to become Scotland’s first Town of Culture, highlighting the area’s strong community spirit and cultural offer.
The bid aims to celebrate Dunbar’s arts, heritage and local identity, while creating opportunities to bring people together and strengthen community pride.
If successful, the designation would support a programme of cultural activity, helping to:
Showcase local talent and creativity
Attract visitors to the area
Encourage community participation
Leave a lasting legacy for local groups and organisations
This marks an exciting opportunity to raise the profile of Dunbar and recognise the important role that culture plays in community wellbeing and development.
👉 Find out more: https://dunbarcommunitycouncil.org.uk/
OPPORTUNITIES & VACANCIES
Volunteer Positions: East Lothian Foodbank – Delivery Drivers
East Lothian Foodbank is looking for Volunteer Drivers to help deliver emergency food parcels to people across the county.
Volunteer drivers play a vital role in ensuring people in crisis can access support, particularly those who are unable to travel to collection points.
Shifts are typically weekdays between 12pm – 3pm, with flexible availability.
Location: Across East Lothian (collection from Tranent)
👉 Find out more and apply: https://eastlothian.foodbank.org.uk/support-us/volunteer
Job Opportunity: Service Co-ordinator – East Lothian Foodbank
East Lothian Foodbank is recruiting a Service Co-ordinator to support the delivery of its emergency food service.
This frontline role involves handling referrals, coordinating support for people in crisis, and working closely with partner organisations.
Salary: £26,226 (pro rata)
Hours: Part-time
Location: Tranent
This is a great opportunity to make a direct impact supporting individuals and families across East Lothian.
👉 Find out more: https://www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk/
