News for young carers

Carers week 9 to 13 June.
"it's a chance to do something fun and positive, and sometimes something I've never done before"
picture of young person paddleboarding.

Carers Week 9 to 15 June

The theme if this years Carers Week is “Caring about Equality” which aims to highlight the disadvantages faced by many unpaid carers. Look out for social media posts from Carers Trust, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, East Lothian Council and Carers of East Lothian during this week as they will include local Young Carer voices.

You can find out more here

During the week our Young Carers Advisory Group will meet, some local young carers will have the opportunity to join other young carers from across Scotland at Edinburgh Zoo, some will join their families for an alpaca walk and ID Card holders will have free access to North Berwick Seabird Centre.
The Sweetie Bank, Dunbar is offering a free ice cream, complete with sauce and sprinkles for each Young Carer who visits the shop during 9 to 15 June, subject to production of ID card. This offer is limited to one ice cream per young carer during this period.

Summer breaks from caring activities

Take a look at our programme of summer activities here

ID cards

Young Carers registered with the service can apply for a carers ID card. Young carers have told us that having this card will increase their confidence and give them the recognition they deserve.For more information contact mprior1@eastlothian.gov.uk.

Free entry for carers to visitor attractions

A number of organisations will give discount or free entry to Carers when they are accompanying the Cared for Person e.g. Zoo, Cinema, Concerts. They don’t seem to advertise this so it is always worth asking.

Find out more here

Out and About - Free Entry to Visitor Attractions

Local discounts for young yarers

Foxlake operate a system whereby you can email them prior to making a booking and explain that you are a Young Carer. They will then provide you with a Carers Discount Code. Please note that this code can only be used for Carers, not other family and friends.

Consent forms

If you are intending to join us for activities at any point in 2025 please complete our annual consent form if you have not already done so or if your circumstances have changed.

Complete the annual consent form here

Congratulations

A huge congratulations to Knox Academy for being the first school in East Lothian to obtain the 'We Care; Schools for Young Carers We Recognise Care Award'.

Run by Edinburgh Young Carers, but with support from local services across the country, the We Care Award recognises and rewards good practice around identifying and supporting young carers in schools across Scotland.

Young Carers Advisory Group

We continue to call on our Young Carers Advisory Group to obtain their views on how the service is developing. We now have small but committed team of Young Carers attending these meetings which take place approximately once every school term. If you are over 12yrs and interested in getting involved, please let me or your local worker know. Travel, snacks and the occasional thank-you treat (vouchers/trips) are provided.

Young Carers