News & Updates

For organisations, individuals and volunteers

Keep up with local community news, events and helpful insights across East Lothian. Always a good read! Even better, you can stay one step ahead by signing up for our e-bulletin to get the latest information. Free, convenient and straight to your inbox!

Featured News and Updates

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TSI Network Scotland Response to Programme for Government
TSI Network Scotland Response to Programme for Government

We stand with TSI Network Scotland’s calls for greater investment in communities.

Indian Cultural Event Fundraiser - In aid of Our Community Kitchen
Indian Cultural Event Fundraiser - In aid of Our Community Kitchen

Join Our Community Kitchen on Sunday, 8th June 2025, from 12pm to 5pm at Maitlandfield Hotel, Haddington, for a delightful day filled with Indian culture, food, and entertainment.

Celebrate Volunteers' Week 2025 with Us!
Celebrate Volunteers' Week 2025 with Us!

Volunteers' Week (2 - 8 June 2025) celebrates the contributions of volunteers across East Lothian. We're hosting a social media campaign and need your help with videos, case studies, and sharing posts.

VCEL Newsletter Survey
VCEL Newsletter Survey

We Want to Hear from You!

All News and Updates

All News & updates
Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations: Consultation 2025
Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations: Consultation 2025

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has opened a consultation on updates made to their code of practice for services, public functions and associations, following the Supreme Court’s judgment of 16 April 2025 in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers.

TSI Network Scotland Response to Programme for Government
TSI Network Scotland Response to Programme for Government

We stand with TSI Network Scotland’s calls for greater investment in communities.

East Lothian Third Sector Update 01/05/2025
East Lothian Third Sector Update 01/05/2025

Welcome to the latest Third Sector Update for East Lothian.

Indian Cultural Event Fundraiser - In aid of Our Community Kitchen
Indian Cultural Event Fundraiser - In aid of Our Community Kitchen

Join Our Community Kitchen on Sunday, 8th June 2025, from 12pm to 5pm at Maitlandfield Hotel, Haddington, for a delightful day filled with Indian culture, food, and entertainment.

East Lothian Parking Management Review
East Lothian Parking Management Review

The 2018 Local Transport Strategy for East Lothian Council introduced the Parking Management Strategy. The focus of this strategy is to provide balanced and appropriate parking facilities that support the economic, environmental and accessibility requirements of towns in East Lothian. The Strategy also aims to maximise the efficient use of parking provision.

Celebrate Volunteers' Week 2025 with Us!
Celebrate Volunteers' Week 2025 with Us!

Volunteers' Week (2 - 8 June 2025) celebrates the contributions of volunteers across East Lothian. We're hosting a social media campaign and need your help with videos, case studies, and sharing posts.

NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN & WEBSITE FOR SCOTLAND
NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN & WEBSITE FOR SCOTLAND

Issued on behalf of Suicide Prevention Scotland

NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN & WEBSITE FOR SCOTLAND

On Wednesday 16 April 2025, Scotland's new national suicide prevention public awareness campaign will go live.

On the same day, Suicide Prevention Scotland's new website, SuicidePrevention.scot will also be launched. 

Consultation Open on New Community Wealth Building Bill
Consultation Open on New Community Wealth Building Bill

This is your opportunity to share your views on the new Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill.

VCEL Monthly Funding Update | April 2025
VCEL Monthly Funding Update | April 2025
Reminder: The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 is Now Live
Reminder: The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 is Now Live

The Disclosure Act has gone live. Stay up to date with all the changes.

VCEL Newsletter Survey
VCEL Newsletter Survey

We Want to Hear from You!

Tackling Poverty in East Lothian Fund
Tackling Poverty in East Lothian Fund

Gants up to £5,000 for East Lothian projects aimed at preventing or alleviating poverty. Eligible applicants are registered Scottish charities with a minimum of 2 years in operation.

Mental Health Conference
Mental Health Conference

People with mental health issues are to host the first conference of its kind in Scotland.

VCEL Monthly Funding Update | March 2025
VCEL Monthly Funding Update | March 2025

Welcome to the latest funding update from Volunteer Centre East Lothian.

VCEL Now on Bluesky!
VCEL Now on Bluesky!

We are thrilled to announce that Volunteer Centre East Lothian is now on Bluesky!

ESES Communities Visit VCEL
ESES Communities Visit VCEL

A big thank you to Katharine and Claire for coming to see us!

Changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme
Changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme

We want to make sure all Third Sector organisations in East Lothian know about an important change to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

Are you worried that an adult could be at risk of harm?
Are you worried that an adult could be at risk of harm?

Residents across East Lothian and Midlothian are being asked to be alert to vulnerable adults in their communities who may be at risk of harm. Harm can take many forms, including financial, physical abuse, neglect, self-neglect, self-harm, emotional abuse, and gender-based violence. Risk of being harmed can be greater due to factors such as ill health, trauma and physical or mental health conditions.

VCEL Monthly Funding Update | February 2024
VCEL Monthly Funding Update | February 2024

Welcome to the latest funding update from Volunteer Centre East Lothian.

State of the Sector Questionnaire – Your Voice Matters!
State of the Sector Questionnaire – Your Voice Matters!

We need your help! As East Lothian’s Third Sector Interface (TSI) and representative body, we are regularly asked for insights on the health and challenges of the third sector by public authorities, including the council, NHS Lothian, and the Scottish Government.

ESS: Introduction to the Basics of Self-Evaluation Training
ESS: Introduction to the Basics of Self-Evaluation Training

Now, more than ever, third sector organisations need to demonstrate their impact. To support you, VCEL has commissioned Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS) to deliver their ‘Introduction to the Basics of Self-Evaluation’ training.

East Lothian Third Sector Update | 28/01/2025
East Lothian Third Sector Update | 28/01/2025

Welcome to the latest Third Sector Update for East Lothian.

Resource for Volunteer Managers by Volunteer Edinburgh
Resource for Volunteer Managers by Volunteer Edinburgh

Volunteer Edinburgh has developed a new resource to support volunteer managers. This resource provides high-quality, reliable, and up-to-date information on managing volunteers.

East Lothian Third Sector Update | 15/01/2025
East Lothian Third Sector Update | 15/01/2025

Welcome to the latest Third Sector Update for East Lothian.

Young Scot Awards 2025
Young Scot Awards 2025

The Young Scot Awards, sponsored by sportscotland, is Scotland’s biggest celebration of young people, recognising their outstanding achievements. Do you know a friend, family member, classmate or colleague whose story deserves to be heard?

VCEL Monthly Funding Update | January 2025
VCEL Monthly Funding Update | January 2025

Welcome to the latest funding update from Volunteer Centre East Lothian.

East Lothian Friendly Food Network Update
East Lothian Friendly Food Network Update

The latest papers and minutes from the East Lothian Friendly Food Network.

Some Brief Thoughts From Our AGM
Some Brief Thoughts From Our AGM

Reflections on our past, present and future.

Season's Greetings and Office Closure Notice
Season's Greetings and Office Closure Notice

Our office will be closed from 19th December and will reopen on 6th January.

Report on the 4th Annual Third Sector Conference
Report on the 4th Annual Third Sector Conference

The 4th Annual Third Sector Conference was a resounding success, bringing together key stakeholders to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore new tools and approaches.

Upcoming Events

Featured
Adapt and develop your management skills: managing people in the modern world

The world we live and work in is changing at an ever increasing pace. Both employees and clients have different expectations and needs to those of 12 months ago, with much going online and remote management becoming a norm. You will have to continue to adapt your ways of working to these new norms, remote working and the increasing pace of change, it is a truth that we are all facing.

ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

This immersive two-day workshop equips participants with essential skills to identify individuals at risk of suicide and effectively intervene. Through engaging, hands-on practice, attendees will learn to assess risk, facilitate open conversations, and create safety plans that provide meaningful support to those experiencing at risk of suicide.

Public Protection is Everyone's Responsibility Level 2

This training is for any staff member in East Lothian and Midlothian who has not previously completed any Public Protection training. It provides a basic awareness of child protection, adult support and protection and violence against women and girls.