East Lothian Third Sector Update | 29/07/2026

GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATION

New Charity Register Transparency Rules Now in Force

Scottish charities should be aware of important changes introduced by the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023, which came into effect on 9 March 2026. The new rules require OSCR to publish the names of charity trustees and full, unredacted annual accounts on the Scottish Charity Register. Additional information, including volunteer numbers and staff numbers, will also be displayed.

Charities are encouraged to review the information they submit to OSCR and ensure trustee details are up to date. These changes aim to strengthen transparency and public confidence in Scotland’s charity sector.

🔗 More information: Click Here

This is particularly relevant for trustees, charity managers and anyone responsible for governance and annual reporting.

ORGANISATIONAL UPDATES

New East Lothian Charity to Unlock Community Funding

East Lothian Council has approved plans to create East Lothian Benefactors SCIO, a new charitable organisation that will bring together and revitalise dozens of historic trust funds. Around 29 trusts worth approximately £1.39 million are expected to transfer into the new organisation, helping ensure funding is used more effectively to support communities across East Lothian. The initiative has been developed with input from volunteers, third sector organisations, VCEL and Foundation Scotland.
The new charity will simplify administration, improve transparency and make community funding more accessible, while continuing to honour the wishes of original donors. Existing arrangements for beneficiaries will remain in place during the transition.
🔗 More information: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/news/2026/new-charitable-organisation-be-formed-unlock-trust-funding-benefits

VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS

Young Volunteers Making a Difference in Dunbar

Young volunteers from the Dunbar Day Centre Buddies project have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the local community. Coordinated by Sustaining Dunbar, the project brings together pupils from Dunbar Grammar School and older members of the community through regular volunteering sessions at Dunbar Day Centre.
The volunteers give their time after school and during holidays, helping with activities, serving refreshments and, most importantly, building meaningful friendships across generations. Their commitment was recently celebrated at the East Lothian Inspiring Volunteer Awards, where the team was recognised for the positive impact they make each week.
This inspiring project highlights how volunteering can strengthen community connections, reduce isolation and create lasting friendships for people of all ages. 👏
🔗 Read more: https://sustainingdunbar.org/2026/07/inspiring-volunteer-awards-2026/

FUNDING & GRANTS

No One Left Behind Quick Grants

Up to £5,000 is available for East Lothian organisations through the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind Quick Grants Programme to support early-stage employability projects for young people and adults aged 16+.
Projects should help people build skills, confidence and progress towards employment or further training.
Key information:
💷 Grants of up to £5,000
📍 Open to East Lothian organisations
📅 Deadline: 5pm, Monday 3 August 2026
✅ Funds must be spent by 31 March 2027
For an information pack and application form, contact:
📧 elworks@eastlothian.gov.uk
📞 01620 827262
For more information on the No One Left Behind approach, visit the Scottish Government website: 🔗 https://www.gov.scot/policies/employment-support/no-one-left-behind/

Argos, John Lewis and more are donating to organisations like yours

More than 8,000 retailers, including some of the biggest high street names, will donate to your organisation if you join easyfundraising. The likes of John Lewis, Tesco and Argos have all donated thousands to community and voluntary led organisations across the country – and yours can get a share of future funding too.
There’s no application process or any extra effort required. These donations are raised when your supporters, volunteers, trustees, staff and community, do their everyday online shopping. At no extra cost to them.
Are you getting a share? If not, register your organistion as an easyfundraising cause and invite your network to join as supporters. Do it this month and their spending through the summer and beyond can help to fund projects, resources, volunteer appeals and more.
Get extra funding from retailers: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/east-lothian/

TRAINING & EVENTS

Study Community Education at UWS

Looking to make a difference in your community? The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is recruiting for its Community Education degree programmes, accredited by the Community Learning & Development Standards Council for Scotland.
Students can choose from:

• BA (Hons) Community Education
• BA (Hons) Community Education (TESOL/ESOL)

Courses are available at the Lanarkshire and Paisley campuses and are designed for those who want to work with people, support communities and create positive change.
Find out more and apply:🔗 https://www.uws.ac.uk
For questions, contact: 📧 comed@uws.ac.uk

Making Volunteering Count: Demonstrating the Value of Volunteering

Join Volunteer Scotland for a free online session exploring how to measure and communicate the impact of volunteering more effectively. The workshop will cover practical ways to use data and storytelling to strengthen funding applications, influence stakeholders and showcase the value of volunteer programmes. 
📅 1 September 2026
🕙 10:00am – 11:30am
💻 Online (Zoom)
🎟️ Free
Find out more and book your place:
🔗 https://www.volunteerscotland.net/event/making-volunteering-count-demonstrating-the-value-of-volunteering/

Free Children and Young People: Rights and Protection Course

East Lothian Works and Edinburgh College are offering a free SCQF Level 5 Children and Young People: Rights and Protection course for East Lothian residents interested in supporting children and young people.

The course will help participants build knowledge of children’s rights, protection practices and creating safe, positive environments. No previous experience is required, making it ideal as an introduction or refresher.

📍 Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre
📅 Mondays (term-time only)
🕧 12:30pm – 2:30pm
🗓️ Starts Monday 24 August 2026

For more information:
📧 elworks@eastlothian.gov.uk
📞 01620 827262

This course also provides access to East Lothian Works employability services and enrolment as an Edinburgh College student.

Free Breast Health Promotion Training from Breast Cancer Now

Breast Cancer Now is offering a free Train the Trainer programme for community workers, volunteers and healthcare professionals across Lothian.

The training provides the knowledge and resources needed to promote breast awareness, breast screening and breast cancer risk reduction within local communities. Participants will receive a certificate, access to resources and ongoing support to help them deliver awareness activities.

Training options:

• 1-day face-to-face workshop
• 4-hour online Teams workshop
• Self-directed eLearning course

Upcoming Lothian dates:

• 📅 2 September 2026 (online)
• 📅 7 October 2026 (in person)
• 📅 5 November 2026 (online)

A community grant fund of up to £1,500 is also available to support local engagement activities.

To find out more or register your interest:
📧 trainthetrainer@breastcancernow.org

This opportunity is open to staff, volunteers and community organisations interested in promoting breast health and encouraging early detection.

Free Substance Use and Harm Reduction Training

The Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) offers a range of free training courses and e-learning opportunities for anyone working with or supporting people affected by substance use.

Popular courses include:

• Drug Awareness
• Trauma
• Stigma
• Everyone Has a Story
• Enhancing Core Communication Skills
• Principles of Harm Reduction
• Staying Alive

Additional specialist training covers topics such as wound care, naloxone, ketamine, cocaine and psychostimulants, cannabis, mental health and substance use, and multiple risk.
Courses are available online and in person, with a wide range of learning options to suit different roles and experience levels.
Find out more and access training: 🔗 https://sdflearningcentre.org.uk/
Motivational Interviewing training: 🔗 https://sdflearningcentre.org.uk/motivational-interviewing/
This training is ideal for staff, volunteers and community organisations looking to strengthen their knowledge and skills around substance use, harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.

COMMUNITY & WELLBEING

Free ADHD Intro Workshop

Do you have ADHD, think you might have ADHD, or want to learn more in a supportive environment?
Procrastination Station is hosting a free ADHD introductory workshop for adults aged 18+, led by ADHD coaches with lived experience. No diagnosis is required.
Participants will have the opportunity to:

Connect with fellow ADHDers
Learn strategies for working with an ADHD brain
Discover local resources and courses
Chat over coffee in a relaxed, safe space

📅 Thursday 30 July
🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm
📍 North Berwick Rugby Club
For more information or to book a free place, visit:
🔗 https://www.procrastination-station.co.uk
📧 Questions? Contact carol@procrastination-station.co.uk

Help Shape Future Cancer Care in NHS Lothian

Macmillan Cancer Support and NHS Lothian are inviting people with lived experience of cancer, as well as family members, friends and carers, to share their experiences and help improve cancer care across the region.

Feedback will help shape services, ensure support is available when people need it most, and make sure care is designed around what matters to patients and carers.

You can get involved by completing a survey or taking part in a one-to-one conversation. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

For more information:
📧 loth.macmillantransform@nhs.scot
📞 07483 692322

This is an opportunity to ensure that lived experience helps inform and improve future cancer services across NHS Lothian.

Tranent Tree Town Launch

Join the community on Wednesday 5th August for the official launch of Tranent Tree Town, celebrating greener spaces and a more sustainable future for the town.
The event starts at 11.45am outside the Fraser Centre, followed by a drum-led procession and the official launch by Tim Porteus. The new play park will also be officially opened by Councillor McGinn, before the Wee Green Festival runs from 1pm–3.30pm with stalls, activities and family-friendly fun.

• 📍 Fraser Centre, Tranent
• 🕚 11.45am – 3.30pm

For more information:
Fraser Centre: https://www.thefrasercentre.com
Come along and help celebrate Tranent’s growing green future! 🌿

The Wee Green Festival Returns

Join us at The Fraser Centre, Tranent, on Wednesday 5th August, 1.00pm–3.30pm, for the Wee Green Festival – a free, family-friendly afternoon celebrating nature, sustainability and community.

Enjoy a variety of stalls, activities, live music, art, storytelling and bike rides to the Forest Garden, with plenty more happening throughout the day.

📍 The Fraser Centre, 3a Winton Place, Tranent
🕐 1.00pm – 3.30pm
🎟️ Free entry

For the latest activity schedule and stallholder information, visit:
🔗 https://www.thefrasercentre.com
🔗 https://www.facebook.com/TheFraserCentre

Come along and discover fun ways to connect with nature, learn new skills and meet local community groups. 🌿🚲🎨📚

OPPORTUNITIES & VACANCIES

Individual Advocacy Worker (Mental Health and LGBTQIA+)

• 23 hours per week (part time over a minimum of 3.5 days).
• Salary Grade AP4: £25,778 – £28,533 p.a. FTE (£ 16,939 pro rata).
• Location: East Lothian and Midlothian with LGBTQIA+ work in Edinburgh.

This is a great opportunity to join CAPS’ friendly, supportive Individual Advocacy team to provide Individual Advocacy to adults in East Lothian and Midlothian who are experiencing mental health issues. This post will also provide Individual Advocacy to the LGBTQIA+ community in Edinburgh, alongside our LGBTQIA+ Individual Advocacy service for young people (14-25).
Closing date: Wednesday 12 August 2026 at 12 noon.
https://capsadvocacy.org/news/individual-advocacy-worker-mental-health-and-lgbtqia/