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Foreword
Foreword
Welcome to Forward Mid directory 2026, our 13th edition. This directory has been created to bring together information to support our disabled community and People with long-term health conditions and the professionals who work alongside them.
In the directory, you will find up-to-date information that covers essential services.
This includes community groups, medical support, transport links, local services, health, and social care, to name a few.
Our aim is to always make access to the right information as straightforward as possible, helping people connect with the services by bringing these resources together in one place. We hope to make it easier to access and stay connected, informed, and supported.
Communities thrive when people know where to turn to for help and how to get involved with a social activity or finding out information for the local bus service, for example. We hope the directory will be a practical companion whenever you need it.
Good information is the foundation of independence, inclusion, and wellbeing.
Forward Mid will always strive to support our disabled and long-term health conditions by contributing towards a better quality of life for disabled people living in Midlothian.
The directory is very important for the Forward Mid team, and the success we create and the hard work we put in by updating the directory every six months, knowing all information in the directory is beneficial to our community.
On behalf of Forward Mid, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the directory.
The team hopes you find it a valuable resource and a reminder of the support and connections available around us.
Forward Mid’s 2026 Directory Is available online in two formats:
Forward Mid share wealth of useful information on issues that affect disabled people; publishing and distributing bi-monthly newsletter and maintain a website and : Facebook page. paper copies can be provided by contacting Eric Johnstone : 0131 663 9471.
Large format is also available by special request.
Keep safe and healthy. Kindest regards, Forward Mid Team
All Image logos used by kind permission. Other graphics by Iain Tait.
In order to produce this directory, various organisations were asked to provide information. For the purposes of this directory, this information has often been repeated verbatim.
This directory provides a platform for practical information, organisations are always evolving and changing contact details. Forward Mid accept no responsibility for these changes.
A person has a disability if they has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
If it is a progressive medical condition and it will badly affect your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities in the future, it will be treated as having a bad effect on you now - past disabilities are covered.
There are some general points to consider:
Physical or mental impairment includes sensory impairments.
Substantial effect’ need only be more than minor or trivial.
Long-term’ means that it has lasted or is likely to last at least 12 months, or for the rest of the person’s life.
Progressive conditions are treated as a disability from the moment there is any impairment that has some adverse effect on ability to carry out day-to-day activities, provided the future adverse effect is likely to become substantial.
There is no exhaustive list of day-to-day activities but normal work-related activities are included, although highly specialised work activities are not.
The effects of treatment are disregarded.
Certain conditions such as HIV, Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis are expressly included.
A person certified by an ophthalmologist as blind, severely sight-impaired, sight-impaired or partially sighted has a ‘deemed disability’.
Certain conditions are expressly excluded such as hay fever, A tendency to steal or set fires, voyeurism, addiction to alcohol, exhibitionism, and a tendency to physical or sexual abuse of others.
Discrimination arising from disability
This occurs where a disabled person is treated unfavourably, where this treatment is because of something arising in consequence of the disabled person’s disability, and where it cannot be shown that this treatment is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim
No comparator is required.
There is no discrimination if it can be shown that the employer/service provider did not know and could not be expected to know that the disabled person had the disability.
Discrimination on the World Wide Web
BS8878
A wide range of organizations and consumers worked together to develop BS 8878. The standard is the non-technical guide to implementing the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2) which have recently been adopted as an International Standard by ISO, (ISO/IEC 40500). BS 8878 states that organizations should:
Design accessible and usable websites for all internet users.
Designate clear responsibility with a written web accessibility policy and a member of staff responsible for its administration.
Keep accessibility in mind – organisations should emphasise accessibility in all stages of web design
Review sites – seek feedback from website users and test sites to ensure that they stay accessible as technology develops.
To check a website is compliant with the BS 8878 guideline and WCAG 2 please visit : webaim.ca/checker/index.php. and enter the web address.
The laws that cover this allows individuals or groups to take civil action against the web site owner. This is called passive law. You may be liable for costs even if you win.
Harassment
Harassment related to a relevant protected characteristic, which occurs where a person engages in unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic that has the purpose or effect of violating another’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for another. The following points apply:
Unwanted conduct could include spoken or written words or abuse, imagery, graffiti, gestures, and so on.
Perception and association are included.
The relevant protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (not marriage and civil partnership or pregnancy and maternity).
In Scotland the Equalities Act 2010 is slightly different the
: www.equalityhumanrights.com/commission-scotland has all the information about the Equalities Act 2010 in Scotland. If you need help with the Equalities Act 2010 you might be able to raise an Equality Act claim under the Simple Procedure court process? please contact for more information : www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/
In our society, people have different ways of perceiving disability. ‘Models’ have been developed to put definitions to these perceptions to help people understand the different viewpoints.
Social Model
The Social Model of Disability views people as being disabled by barriers within society, rather than by their impairments.
Through the Social Model, ‘disability’ is understood as an unequal relationship within a social world in which the needs of people with impairments are often given little or no consideration. People with impairments are disabled by the fact that they are excluded from participation within mainstream society as a result of physical, environmental and attitudinal barriers. These barriers prevent them from gaining equal access to what is available to people without impairments. This model was developed by disabled people to describe their experiences and to explain why they thought that seeing disability as a medical problem was inaccurate and inappropriate.|
Medical Model
Through the Individual or Medical Model of Disability, ‘disability’ is understood as something which arises from an individual’s impairment.
This model views people as being unable to gain equal access to society as a direct result of their impairment. The Medical
Model is often known as the ‘personal tragedy model’ because it regards the day-to-day difficulties that people with impairments experience as being caused by their impairments, not by barriers
within society (Carson, 2009).
The Medical Model puts the ‘problem’ with the individual and does not recognise the physical, environmental and attitudinal barriers that that people with impairments often face.
>Affirmative Model of Disability
A model more recently developed by disabled academics is the ‘Affirmative Model of Disability’. This model identifies impairment as a characteristic of human difference to be valued. Impairment can be defined as “physical, sensory, emotional and cognitive difference to be expected & respected on its own terms in a diverse society”(Cameron, 2010)
The Affirmative Model demands recognition of impairment as an ordinary rather than an extraordinary characteristic of human experience, and for inclusion within ordinary life on that basis.
Carson. G (2009) The Social Model of Disability: Stationery Office, 2009
Cameron. C (2010) Disability Studies; SAGE Publications
Self-directed Support is about giving a person requiring support more choice and control over the social care support they receive to enable them to live as independently as possible. Some people can manage their support on their own, while others need help either from family or friends, or a support organisation.
Self-Directed Support:-choose how your support is provided.
Anyone who is assessed as being eligible for social care support will be offered a choice in the way they would like to receive their support.
You will be offered 4 choices on how you can receive your social care:
Option 1: The making of a direct payment by the local authority to the supported person for the provision of support.
You take the money, and choose and organise your support. You can use the payment to: buy support from a provider, or employ your own staff.
Thwsw option gives you the most choice and flexibility, but it does mean taking on more responsibilities. (You can get help with this.)
Option 2: You choose the support, and either the council or a support provider arranges it. This means you don’t have to manage the money, but you still actively organise your support.
Option 3: You ask the council to arrange the support but you can still be involved in the choice of the provider if you wish to.
Option 4: Mix and match options 1, 2 and 3. SDS is about choices: you can arrange support from a support provider and/or you can employ your own staff.
SDS is meant to be used flexibly. You should be able to use it creatively so long as it meets your needs.
Support with Self-Directed Support:
The person carrying out your assessment will be able to talk you through each option. For More information please contact:
Forward Mid’s guide to “ Self-Directed Support ” in Midlothian, the booklet is available in Midlothian libraries or from Eric Johnstone, MVA 4-6 White Hart Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1AE, or choose and electronic copy below:
Independent advocacy helps people to have as much influence and control as possible over their lives.
Independent advocacy is about people having the right to a voice: addressing barriers and imbalances of power and ensuring that human rights are recognised, respected, and secured.
Collective Advocacy is about helping groups speak up about issues that concern them.
Advocacy Providers working in Midlothian.
Consultation & Advocacy Promotion Service
An independent advocacy organisation for people who use or have used mental health services. CAPS works with mental health service users as individuals or as members of a group to set their own agenda, and influence decisions which affect their lives. CAPS In the LGBTQIA+ community you may have experiences where you didn’t feel you were listened to, understood or treated fairly by services because of your identity. .
Partners in Advocacy provide free, confidential, independent advocacy for Children and Young People with mental health issues, additional support needs, learning disabilities and a range of difficulties in their lives. Partners in Advocacy also provide advocacy in the Children’s Hearing System.
Partners in Advocacy are the only independent advocacy service working Scotland-wide that supports young people aged 12 -15 to have their views heard about the support they need in education. Adults (aged 16+) with learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities And Adults aged 65 and over,
Who Cares? Scotland provides professional, independent advocacy services in most local authority areas in Scotland. We work one on one with a young person to help them have a say in what is happening to them. Who Cares provide advocacy to Care Experienced young people who are looked after, away from home, and care leavers up to the age of 26.
: www.whocaresscotland.org/what-we-do/advocacy/
: help@whocaresscotland.org
: www.facebook.com/
Helpline : 0330 107 7540
40 Wellington Street,
Glasgow, G2 6HJ
Artlink Edinburgh and Lothians is a creative equalities organisation with over 40 years’ experience championing disability inclusion across Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian.
We use creative approaches to support real change in education, health and social care, guided by the voices, rights and lived experience of disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages, ensuring access to full civic, cultural and social life.
What We Do
Artlink works with people whose voices are often excluded from decisions about the support they receive.
Through creative activity and personal interests, we:
Support people to express their needs, choices and ambitions,
Build confidence, connection and wellbeing,
Create accessible programmes shaped by participants themselves.
Our programme includes workshops, exhibitions, events, placements and supported cultural outings, led by artists, specialists and trained volunteers. Our work continually evolves by listening and responding to individual needs.
Our Programmes
Sensory Programmes (Midlothian)
For adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, delivered in partnership with health and social care services in Midlothian. These sessions focus on communication, relationships and improving quality of care through deeper understanding of each individual.
Cultural & Social Activity (Midlothian)
Creative social opportunities for learning disabled and autistic adults, offering regular activities such as drama, music and workshops—helping reduce isolation and build community connections.
: www.thesocialprogramme.com
Mental Health & Wellbeing (Edinburgh City and West Lothian)
Creative projects for people with experience of mental ill health, delivered in supportive environments such as hospitals, community spaces, studios and schools across Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Access to Arts & Culture (Edinburgh City and Midlothian)
Supporting disabled and older people to take part in cultural life - such as attending theatre, exhibitions and events with the support of volunteers, helping to reduce loneliness and isolation.
Generate (Young People in Midlothian)
A schools programme in Midlothian for young people who are marginalised from education due to anxiety, disability, neurodiversity or disadvantage.
Generate offers:
Individual placements based on personal interests
Opportunities to explore talents in real-world settings
Support to build confidence, skills and meaningful connection
Each young person shapes their own pathway, helping identify what works best for their future.
Beach Wheelchairs is a small Scottish charity that has operated since 2015. Since then Beach Wheelchairs have hired out our Free to use specialist wheelchairs over 1000 times. Beach Wheelchairs mission is to get people back on the sand enjoying our beautiful beaches. Beach Wheelchairs have a wide range of wheelchairs and equipment at North Berwick, East Lothian and Portobello, Edinburgh. We also have two wheelchairs at Haven Seton Sands that are available to the public as well as Haven customers to use.
Beach Wheelchairs mission is for people to enjoy the beach with family and friends. The beach is a special place where people can have new experiences, make long lasting memories or be taken back to their childhood just by the sound of the waves and the smell of salt in the air.
Whether you are planning a trip to the beach with someone who has mobility needs or are interested in volunteering with us hopefully Beach Wheelchairs can help. However the weather is outwith our control.
Helping to keep people at home, living independently longer and connecting you with your local community.
See how we can help you.
What we aim to do:- Assist and support people to stay at home and remain in their local communities.
We can provide advice, information, and practical support in the following areas: - by making referrals, assist with form filling, advocate on your behalf with your permission - + Benefit Checks – Attendance Allowance, Pension Credits, Council Tax reductions, + Housing options – support with Housing applications, including Sheltered Housing, + Fire Safety Check – carried out by Lothian & Borders Fire Service, + Energy providers – priority service, boilers, insulation, keeping energy bills down, + Adaptations – handrails, shower stool, Rutland trolley, + Midcare Alarm – Key safe, water and fire detectors, + Wheelie bins – assisted bin collection provided by Midlothian Counci, + Transport – Blue Badge, Dial A Ride, Bus pass plus 1, support with completion of forms, + Home frozen meals – information on delivery services available, + Podiatrist, Opticians at home – information on services that provide home visits, + Referral to other Healthcare services - social worker, occupational therapists, physiotherapist etc, + Transport – Blue Badge, Dial A Ride, Bus pass plus 1, support with completion of forms, + Red Cross equipment - useful aids to living independently for example, large button speaker phones, walking stick ferrules and raised buttons for the visually impaired, + Local Area Coordinators – Supporting people back into their communities, working with local groups such as lunch clubs, art and crafts, Men Shed, Knit and Natter. Free calendar with over 100 groups throughout Midlothian, + Unpaid Carers – Do you provide unpaid help and support to a family member, friend, or neighbour. We provide advice, information, and practical support to unpaid carers. This can include advice on benefits, Power of Attorney, wee breaks fund etc.
The above list is an example of what we can help with, but we can research, investigate, and explore with you other areas you may be interested in.
British Red Cross East and Mid Lothian,
Unit 3 Buckie House, McSense Business Park, Dalkeith, EH22 5TA : 0131 654 0340
: 07738808834
: www.facebook.com/BritishRedCross/
The Carers (Scotland) 2016 Act, Midlothian Council have powers and duties to support adult carers. If someone provides unpaid care for you or you provide unpaid care to someone else an additional Adult Carer Support Plan will be offered. These can be carried out by Midlothian Council or VOCAL Midlothian.
: 0131 663 6869 : midlothian@vocal.org.uk
This can be an adult or a young carer and both start with a conversation, which is the first step in developing your Adult Carer Support Plan. Download a : Adult Carer Support Plan in PDF (275kb).
Many carers find they can draw on existing supports in the local community, whether that be support from friends and family, local support groups or their local carer centre. Where more support is needed, it may be we can look to do this through social work funding. Each case is assessed individually, we use eligibility criteria to determine what qualifies for social work funding. An up to date copy of our eligibility criteria can be found at : www.midlothian.gov.uk/
A young carer is someone who has a caring role and is under the age of 18 years, or is 18+ and still in education. If you feel you have a caring role but you haven’t spoken to a professional, you can ask an adult you trust to ask for a Young Carer Statement for you. Or you can email : youngcarer@midlothian.gov.uk to ask for support. Support for Young Carers at : www.midlothian.gov.uk/
The CAB Service can offer advice and assistance on a variety of issues including:
Benefits
Form filling
Debt
Consumer issues
Housing
Utilities
Dalkeith CAB and Penicuik CAB operates an online in-person booking system. Also advice by Email and Phone betweem 10:00hrs - 14:00 hrs. Self-Help on line.
Dalkeith CAB Outreach Clinics:
Bonnyrigg Rose FC The Pavillion, Polton Avenue Road, EH19 2NU. Weekly drop in, Wednesdays, 10:00hrs 14:00hrs.
Central Dalkeith & Woodburn Pantry. MARC Building, 10 Woodburn Road. Dalkeith EH22 2AT. Fridays 13.30 hrs 15.30 hrs.
Dalkeith CAB and Penicuik CAB also offer a home visiting service for people with a physical disability who live in Midlothian or in cases where it would be difficult to access the main office or outreach clinics. To request a home visit, please phone reception during the hours noted above.
You can also access phone advice by contacting: Citizens Advice Direct Tel: : 0800 028 1456 or on-line at : www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland
Consumer advice can be obtained from the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline Tel: : 0808 223 1133.
Every day people in Midlothian go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference.
When you visit a referral agency they will take some basic details from you to complete the voucher. This will help them to identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance. It also means they are able to prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people. Community Pantry’s work with a number of different referral agencies, such as Citizens Advice, children’s centres and health visitors. Please find below a list of Community Food Pantry’s available in Midlothian.
Location
Details
Dalkeith Woodburn Pantry The MARC Building, 10 Woodburn Road, Dalkeith, EH22 2AT One Free Membership per household Weekly shop £3.50
Gorebridge
96 Hunterfield Road
Gorebridge EH23 4TT
A referral is required to access the Community Pantry
Part of the Trussell Trust
Now operating voucher referral system, vouchers issued by Citizens Advice that will allow you to receive three days of food.
Mayfield and Easthouses Community Food Pantry
(Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust)
This service is for people of Mayfield and Easthouses only.
Free membership, a small price is incurred for this Service
Penicuik
Food Fact Friends Community Pantry
42 John Street,
Penicuik EH26 8AB
The Community Pantry is open to everyone.
After you join the Community Pantry, you can take up to 10 items. a small price is incurred for this Service.
To tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness through learning from lived experience; by delivering targeted services which focus on prevention, early intervention and support into a home; and by influencing changes in legislation and policy.
A public health approach to homelessness prevention
At Cyrenians we take a public health approach to homelessness prevention. We know homelessness impacts on the health of the nation, on the outcomes of our young people, on the life expectancies of people living in dangerous, lonely and precarious circumstances. A public health approach strives to stop people becoming homeless by addressing risk factors and offering support at the earliest opportunity rather than waiting until a crisis happens. It seeks to move away from addressing a lack of accommodation without addressing the underlying reasons why people have become homeless in the first place, such as poverty and trauma.
Addressing homelessness effectively requires population level prevention, as well as individual level interventions with services and sectors working together.
Our values
Our way of working is built around our four values:
Compassion: We believe that everyone should have the chance to change, no matter how long that might take.
Respect: We believe in tolerance, acceptance, valuing diversity and treating each other as equals.
Integrity: We are committed to the highest quality of work, grounded in honesty, generosity, sincerity and professionalism.
Innovation:We are willing to take risks, challenge convention and be creative in our search for new ways of working, in particular by taking account of the environmental impact of our decisions.
Our person-centred work is always evolving; reflecting and supporting the changes we see within the community on both a local and national scale. We are proud of what we have achieved over the last 50+ years and are incredibly grateful for every individual, business and organisation that has joined us in our journey.
Working predominantly in Edinburgh, Lothians, Falkirk but also with Scotland-wide services, Cyrenians work is organised around six service areas: Community, Family, Home, Health, Food & Work.
Cyrenians are a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered charity SC011052
Contact is via the on line form on the website or Facebook meassage button.
One Dalkeith, Community Development Trust. Run by the local community, for the local community.
One Dalkeith, Community Development Trust.
Run by the local community, for the local community.
Free Weekly Community Activities & Drop-ins, Affordable DIY & Craft Workshops,Community Café, Monthly Affordable Cinema, Weekly Hobby Clubs, Affordable Facility Hire for Charities, Community Groups, Clubs & Activities.
Co-working Facilities, Hot Desk by the hour, Affordable Business Incubators, Facility Hire for Private Parties, Conferences/Meetings/Training, The Corner Shop Collective - Over 70 Local Artists, Crafters & Food Producers under one roof, Monthly & Seasonal Fayres & Farmers Markets.
Glencorse Centre is located in the northern edge of the village of Auchendinny, in the valley of River North Esk.
The Centre delivers a broad range of classes and group meet-ups for the community to attend, from the weekly Breastfeeding Cafe to our senior citizens weekly lunch. Annual community events such as the Halloween and Christmas festivities attract visitors from far and wide!
Our community café, the Community Cup, boasts delicious home-made cakes and treats and freshly brewed coffee. Many of the ingredients are sourced from our community garden, where we grow anything from potatoes to strawberries for our jams.
Our main hall is available to hire for parties and many other events with access to a fully equipped modern kitchen. We also have a full-sized grass football pitch with changing and shower facilities for hire along with a 5-a-side all weather flood-lit astro pitch. Meeting/office space is also available for use.
Gorebridge Community Development Trust is a community owned and managed independent charity, promoting sustainable regeneration of Gorebridge
The Trust carries out a number of projects to help regenerate the town; one of the main projects we are currently working on is the development of a new community hub in the centre of Gorebridge.
The community hub will serve several community groups, offices for private businesses and have a main hall for community and cultural events.
Pavilion Café opening hours:
10:00 hrs until 16:00 hrs.
Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust is a charitable organisation focused organisation creating opportunities and improving facilities to regenerate the community of Mayfield and Easthouses.
Newtongrange Development Trust want to build on the strong community spirit in Newtongrange to develop inclusive, dynamic and sustainable initiatives to enhance social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits for our growing community
Opening hours:
Tuesday- Saturday 10:00 hrs until 16:00 hrs.
The Trust marries community activities with the conservation and improvement of significant buildings and places in Penicuik.
Open House and Penicuik Cinema, are helping to re-establish the Cowan Institute as the focus of community life.
Pen-y-Coe Press and the Penicuik Museum and Papermaking Heritage Centre are re-invigorating buildings on Bridge Street.
The Lost Garden of Penicuik has brought is back to life the old walled garden of the Penicuik House Estate.
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 hrs till 17:00 hrs
Saturday: 09:00 hrs till 15.30 hrs
Sunday: 09:00 hrs till 17:00 hrs
Café opening hours:
Tuesday-Sunday: 09:00 hrs till 16.30 hrs
Facilitates which can be hired:
Conference room
Arts & Crafts space
Multi-purpose hall
Soft Play: open 7 days a week, £3 per child per hour session
Sensory Room: open 7 days a week, £5 per household per hour session
Sensory Garden: open 7 days a week during reception opening hours
We run a variety of groups for adults and children including computer classes, arts and crafts and lunch club. We also have a variety of activities on run by external providers. To stay up to date on what we have on follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability is part of the Education Service of Midlothian Council. Communities and Lifelong Learning support young people, adults and families to improve their life chances through the development of skills for learning, life and work. Communities and Lifelong Learning also work with communities to develop groups, improve local neighbourhoods, link into Community Councils, neighbourhood plans and other organisations in Midlothian. This consists of universal provision which is open to all and targeted provision which may be delivered to specific groups such as parents/carers, young people not engaging in school, disabilities groups, etc. Communities and Lifelong Learning works with key partners to implement initiatives such as Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, Positive Destinations and Employability.
Work with adults:
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability deliver a range of employability support options, courses and training including ICT, Care Academy, Work Club, Job Clubs, Construction Skills Certification Scheme Training and Modern Apprenticeships.
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability offer one to one support and community-based provision in core skills such as literacy, numeracy, IT and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and refugees. On offer lipreading classes for those with acquired hearing loss.
Community-based Adult Learning (CBAL) programmes run throughout Midlothian from first step courses to SQA qualifications. The main aim is to provide a first step back into learning, pathways to further learning or employability provided in locally accessible venues. These courses are offered in a wide range of subjects including childcare and family support, IT, health and wellbeing and employability related courses including job clubs. They are mainly free or low cost with crèche support provided.
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability also deliver adult learning through Aim High Learning Offer with an annual programme of certificated and non-certificated programmes delivered mainly in Dalkeith Campus, Lasswade Centre, Penicuik and Beeslack High Schools. Communities and Lifelong Learning work closely with Progress Through Learning Midlothian to provide support locally to those who want to move on in their learning, go to college or prepare for university or other accredited studies.
The Focus Team provides one to one support for adults aged 16-64 years who wish to get into work, training or learning but face some barriers such as a disability or heath-related issue. The team can also deliver and develop small groups, and courses to help you build up your skills, gain confidence, complete job applications and CV’s, prepare for interview and job coaching. You can be referred by another agency or do this yourself. Please contact: : cll@midlothian.gov.uk : 0131 271 3713
Work with Young People:
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability work with young people in a variety of ways. Through Activity Agreements provide one to one tailored support for young people who are not in education, training or employment to enable them to take their next steps. Communities and Lifelong Learning provide learning and employability pathways in a variety of curriculum areas such as music, rural skills, childcare, sport and wellbeing, admin and IT, hair and beauty, retail, etc. These allow young people to build up skills and confidence and access further education, training and employment opportunities.
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability Learning work in schools to support positive transitions for young people and families through group work, co-ordinating school work experience programmes, supporting young people to achieve positive destinations when they leave school. Communities and Lifelong Learning lead the Developing Midlothian’s Young Workforce Board where Communities and Lifelong Learning work with other Council services and a wide range of partners including employers and Skills Development Scotland to secure positive destinations for young people and address the skills gap.
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability engage with young people on the streets and in universal and targeted youth clubs and other provision, recognise their achievements through Awards Schemes, develop young people’s voice and influence through youth participation, offer volunteering opportunities.
Work with families
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability offer a range of family learning opportunities where parents/carers and children learn together in a variety of subject areas including arts and crafts, languages, Learn with Fred and supporting your child with homework.
Work with Communities
Communities,Lifelong Learning and Employability works with communities to develop groups by helping with funding and training opportunities; with constitutions and setting up a board; through connecting with relevant people and organisations and linking into Community Councils and neighbourhood plans.
Edinburgh College is one of Scotland’s biggest College with around 26,000 students across 4 campuses in Edinburgh and the Lothians, including our Midlothian Campus, based at Dalkeith.
Offering a wide variety of vibrant vocational and academic courses, Edinburgh College provides flexible learning opportunities to suit all learning needs. Whatever path you choose we offer over 700 courses from access to degree level and continuing professional development to help you achieve your future career ambitions.
Edinburgh College are committed to equality of opportunity and to a culture that respects difference. We recognise that equality of access to education is crucial in unlocking many significant opportunities in life.
Our campuses have a number of accessibility features, including accessible parking spaces, accessible doors, accessible toilets (including some with hoists), quiet rooms and portable hearing loops.
If you would like to discuss course options or need help to make your course application, please contact the course information team on : 0131 297 8300 (09:00 hrs - 16:00 hrs) or : courseinfo@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
Edinburgh College Student Services Learning Support
If you have an additional support need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, mental health difficulty, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Condition, visual or hearing impairment, physical health or mobility difficulty or any other issue which means you will require support with your learning, : learning.support@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
Edinburgh College is proud to be accredited as Disability Confident Committed
Newbattle Abbey College
Newbattle Abbey College extends a warm and friendly welcome to all individuals, including those with disabilities and additional support requirements. Our college, known for its small and intimate community, is experienced in providing bespoke support, ensuring that each member, be it a student or staff member, is valued as an individual.
As Scotland’s residential adult education college, we offer a unique opportunity for individuals with limited or no qualifications to pursue their studies in a historically rich environment. Specialising in access and progression, the college is the ideal nurturing environment in which to begin your educational journey.
Newbattle Abbey College prides itself on its unwavering commitment to support all learners, regardless of their background. Each student benefits from the guidance of a personal tutor, who offers individualized assistance to propel them towards their future opportunities. Additionally, small tutorial groups are available to provide dedicated support and equip our students with the necessary skills for further studies.
Our highly experienced Support for Learning staff are specialists in working with students who have various additional support needs, including dyslexia, autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Their expertise ensures that every student receives the care and attention required to thrive academically and personally.
Moreover, Newbattle Abbey College boasts exceptional facilities suitable for conferences, training events, weddings, and social functions. With ample parking space for up to 100 cars, including designated disabled parking, and lift access within the building, we strive to create an inclusive and accessible environment for all.
Join us at Newbattle Abbey College, where our small, friendly, and welcoming community eagerly awaits the opportunity to assist you on your journey towards unlocking your full potential.
There is a risk of personal injury or loss of life
A crime is in progress
Someone suspected of a crime is nearby
Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech-impaired callers using a Textphone (minicom) should dial : 18000 in an emergency.
Alternatively, if you are deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired, you can register with emergency Short Message Service (SMS) text service. The emergency SMS service lets people in the UK send an SMS text message to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the police, ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard.
: 101 Non-Emergency Number
For non-emergencies and general enquiries, : 101 is the number you call if you need to contact the police. Using 101 for situations that do not require an immediate police response helps keep : 999 available for when there is an emergency.
Calls to : 101 from landlines and mobiles cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day you call or how long your call lasts.
Calls to Police Scotland may be recorded for training and service improvement purposes.
UK calls outwith Scotland
UK callers residing outside of Scotland should call : 01786 289 070 to contact Police Scotland
International Contact
International callers should call : +44 1786 289 070 to contact Police Scotland
You can now use the online form to get in touch with Police Scotland for issues of a non-serious nature.
Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech-impaired callers can contact us via TextRelay on : 1 800 1 101.
Minicom Service
Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech-impaired callers can contact us via TextRelay on : 1 800 1 101.
Hate Crime & Third Party Reporting
Did you know that Hate Crime is any criminal offence committed against an individual or property that is motivated by a person’s hatred of someone because of his or her actual or perceived race, religion, transgender identity, sexual orientation or disability?
Hate Crime is wrong, it is against the law, and everyone has the right to live safely and without fear. No two individuals are ever the same - embrace individuality and help put an end to Hate crime by reporting it.
You can report a Hate Crime as follows:
By Telephone : 999 (emergency) : 101 (non-emergency)
In some cases victims/witnesses of Hate Crime do not feel comfortable reporting the matter directly to the Police and may be more comfortable reporting it to someone they are familiar with.
To ensure all victims/witnesses are able to report Hate Crimes, Police Scotland works in partnership with a wide variety of partners who perform the role of 3rd Party Reporting Centres. Staff within 3rd Party Reporting Centres have been trained to assist a victim or witness in submitting a report to the police and can make such a report on the victim/witnesses behalf.
Examples of 3rd Party Reporting Centres participating in the scheme range from Housing Associations to Victim Support offices and Voluntary Groups.
Third Party Reporting Centres can be found online on the : Police Scotland website or ask any police officer for details.
Home Fire Safety Visit, as part of our commitment to building a safer Scotland we offer everyone in Scotland a free home fire safety visit. We can also fit smoke alarms free of charge if your home requires them.
It’s so easy to arrange! You can get in touch via the following options:
Having a disability makes it difficult to check alarms about the house. You will need to have more than one planned escape route in the event of a fire.
Remember:
Plan your escape route now. Practice with your family
If a fire starts, shout to warn everyone in the house.
Get out quickly. Don’t stop for valuables.
Keep low down. Air is cleaner and cooler nearer the floor
Don’t look for the fire – keep doors closed
If you can’t escape, get everyone in a safe room
Never jump out of a window – if you can, lower yourself onto cushions. But only ever attempt this as a last resort
When you’re out, STAY OUT
Phone the Fire and Rescue Service. Dial : 999
Scottish Ambulance Service Patient Transport
Life-threatening emergencies
You should call : 999 in a medical emergency, when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Life-threatening emergencies
You should call : 999 in a medical emergency, when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk
Patient Transport
Scottish Ambulance Service Patient Transport Service is a core function that takes patients to and from their pre-arranged hospital appointments, or for their admission and discharges to a hospital.
A hospital or clinic appointment does not mean that you qualify for ambulance transport. Patients are eligible for this service based upon medical need for transport or assistance.
Transport types
The service operates with a wide range of different vehicles appropriate to the different types of patient we serve. If you have an appointment in the 10 days you can request an ambulance, : 0300 123 1236 or Text Talk : 18001 0300 123 1236 for hearing or speach impaired.)
Bookings/cancellations.
Scottish Ambulance service really needs to know if you no longer need ambulance transport, or if your mobility improves; so that the right type of ambulance is sent to you. If you have transport booked you can cancel it by : 0300 123 1236 (option 2). Please leave your name, which clinic or ward and hospital, date and time of appointment.
Do I qualify?
A hospital or clinic appointment does not mean that you qualify for ambulance transport.
Ambulance transport is available for patients who:
Require assistance from skilled ambulance staff
Have a medical condition that would prevent them from travelling to hospital by any other means
Have a medical condition that might put them at risk from harm if they were to travel independently
Have mobility difficulties that require the assistance of ambulance care staff
Are attending hospital for treatment that might have side effects and require ambulance care on the return journey
Why do I need to qualify?
Patients who are allocated transport unnecessarily may be preventing a patient with a genuine medical reason from getting to hospital.
Can a relative come with me?
Unfortunately, space on ambulance transport is very limited. This means that you can’t take an escort with you unless you have a medical need that would require treatment during your ambulance journey. Two examples of this are children and sight impaired patients.