Tomorrow: IT support for silver surfers at LifeCare

Are you over 50 and looking for a wee bit of help with your IT?  LifeCare Edinburgh and ACE IT are here to help.

Come along to CafeLife, 2 Cheyne Street, 10am-12noon on Tuesday 29th April to chat with the experts.  

We’ll be offering support and answering questions about how to use a device, access online content and how to stay safe online.  And any other burning technical questions you might have!

All advice is free thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Everyone is invited to the LifeCare Spring Fair this Saturday

Everyone is invited to the LifeCare Spring Fair this Saturday 26 April, 1030-1330.

Come along to our fully accessible community hub on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge to enjoy a wander around our stalls, indulge in some delicious home baking, pick up some new plants or raffle tickets and help support our charity!  

FREE Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund 

Teas, coffees and morning rolls will be available from our cafe.  

We can’t wait to welcome you!

“Future planning felt like an act of love and respect”

Back by popular demand, LifeCare Edinburgh to re-run free Power of Attorney info event to help local people simplify the future 

Thinking about what would happen in the future if our, or our loved ones, faculties deteriorated can be stressful and worrying. How would someone manage our affairs, access our accounts to set up the right care for us, or pay the bills? Without the right processes in place, an already very emotional situation can be made worse with often very serious consequences.  

Local charity, LifeCare Edinburgh understands how daunting and complex these situations can be and will next month host a free information giving event to help debunk the complexities and help people put the right practical support in place to ensure someone trusted can quickly make decisions on behalf of a loved one if they’re not able, or no longer able, to make them themselves.  

Power of Attorney is a legal document where someone – while they still have mental capacity – nominates a trusted friend or relative to look after their affairs if they later lost capacity in the event of an emergency, illness or accident. It is not limited to people who are older or unwell, everyone needs to consider setting up a Power of Attorney at any stage of life to avoid any future complications. For example, due to having a stroke, serious accident or dementia.  

Delivered in partnership with experts from Lindsay’s Legal Services team, LifeCare initially held this successful event last year designed to help simplify matters for local people.  This first event was so well attended that the organisers are bringing it back to meet demand.   One attendee noted:

“LifeCare’s informative Power of Attorney talk spurred me on to have the difficult conversations with my mother that we had both been avoiding, resulting in her setting up a will and PoA. Future planning felt like an act of love and respect; it also inspired me to start planning for myself. Thank you.”

Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare said: “Unfortunately at LifeCare we are well aware of how stressful life can be when people don’t have the right documents in place.  No one can predict when they may face an unforeseen illness, accident or other debilitating event that may render them incapacitated.  

“As one of Edinburgh’s leading charities providing practical care support we know how emotional these situations can be at the best of times but we also know how much worse they can be when family members and loved ones are locked out of helping access the support for the people they care for. 

“Relatives can’t just walk into a bank and access your money, even if it is to pay for your care. Unless you’ve a Power of Attorney, loved ones would need to apply through court, which can be long and costly. 

“We understand that thinking about the future can be upsetting and frightening. We’re thrilled to bring back our free and informal information giving event delivered in partnership with Lindsays; there will be no jargon and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussions and an opportunity to discuss any concerns with legal experts for free.”

LifeCare’s ‘What is Power of Attorney’ event, delivered in partnership with Lindsay’s, will take place at 3pm on Wednesday 21st May in the charity’s fully accessible community café, CafeLife at 2 Cheyne Street, EH4 1JB. 

Free tea and coffee will be available along with the opportunity to find out more about LifeCare’s vital services for older people and the community overall.  

The event is free to attend but those interested are encouraged to register their interest on Eventbrite https://shorturl.at/ypqMO or by calling the friendly team on 0131 343 0940.

Can you help? Local charity LifeCare Edinburgh is looking for new trustees

Would you like to join our board?

We are looking for new trustees to help LifeCare in its great work supporting local people

LifeCare is a forward-thinking growing charity established in 1941, that supports people 50+ across Edinburgh through a wide range of community-based support services, alongside running a community Café and Hub which is open to the public. We employ over 80 staff and are supported by a diverse range of volunteers.

“I’ve noticed a difference since LifeCare’s visits started. When I call Dad, he is more upbeat and chattier than he has been in ages.”

Our Board of Trustees is made up of up to 12 amazing people who give up their time to benefit the organisation and those we support by sharing their own skills, knowledge and experiences to provide our governance and leadership.

As a board we routinely audit our skills, and we are currently seeking two new Board Members who could bring expertise in any of the following areas to our organisation:

• Communications and/or Marketing

• Venue/centre management or hospitality

• Lived experience as an unpaid carer to an older person

• Running a Social Enterprise

The role is non-remunerated however expenses will be reimbursed, and training/ongoing support will be provided. The board usually meets early evening either in person or online.

If you would like an informal chat about the role before considering applying, please contact sarahvanputten@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk .

Application notes

Please read the role description here: https://tinyurl.com/cnekx5zr 

to see if this is you and, if so, complete the potential trustee form explaining how your skills and experience could benefit LifeCare – and email this to:

sarahvanputten@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk .

We look forward to receiving your application.

LifeCare

LifeCare invites the local community to celebrate one year of Chatty Cafe

Are you looking to get out and about and meet new people?  Then we hope you will join us 11am – 1pm on Monday 13th January at LifeCare’s warm and welcoming community cafe, CafeLife (2 Cheyne Street), as we celebrate the 1st birthday of our Chatty Cafe and help turn Blue Monday into Brew Monday.  

Enjoy coffee, tea, cake and conversation as we bring the community together round our Chatter and Natter Table.  

We’re incredibly proud of all we have achieved this year and hope you can join us to celebrate!

Chatty Cafe is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

LifeCare Christmas Fair

SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER 11am – 3pm

Our Christmas Fair is happening THIS SATURDAY!

Just a few days until we bring the local community together at The LifeCare Centre, 2 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB, THIS SATURDAY, the 7th of December, between 11am and 3pm, for a fun filled day of Christmas magic at our charity fair!

Come along on the day and enjoy: – Craft Stalls – Santa’s Grotto (bookings on 0131 343 0940) – Gifts – Raffle – Merry tunes and delicious festive treats

Whether you’re looking for unique Christmas gifts, or just a chance to make a difference by supporting your local charity so we can keep local older people warm and well this winter, we’d love to see you there!

Mark your calendars and spread the word!

LifeCare Edinburgh announces first Burns Day family-friendly Ceilidh

Local charity, LifeCare Edinburgh, is marking St Andrew’s Day by announcing first family friendly ceilidh.

This Burn’s Day, join LifeCare Edinburgh for dancing and delicious food at our Community Ceilidh. Enjoy music from the Gallivanters Ceilidh Band and traditional Scottish stovies. 

Everyone is welcome at this fully accessible, family friendly event at the LifeCare Centre on Cheyne Street in the heart of Stockbridge.

Date: Saturday 25th January

Time: 2-4pm 

Family ticket £28 (2 adults & 2 kids)

Adult ticket £10

Child ticket £5 (under 3’s go free)

Booking is open now via eventbrite or by calling 0131 343 0940  

We can’t wait to welcome you!

Meet Santa in Stockbridge!

LifeCare’s Christmas Fair is back!

But this year we have added an extra ho ho ho … book a slot to meet Santa on Saturday 7th December 11.30am – 2.30pm at our family friendly community hub on Cheyne Street.

£8 (including a small gift) with all proceeds supporting our vital services, call 0131 343 0940 to book in.

See you there! 

TOMORROW: LifeCare’s Winter Warmer Jumble Sale

Join LifeCare Edinburgh this Sunday 10th November for our family-friendly community jumble sale!

Come along for a browse, pick up a bargain, enjoy a hot bacon or sausage roll, tea and coffee. 

Running from 10.30 – 1.30 at the LifeCare community hub on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge. See you there!

LifeCare’s Winter Warmer Jumble Sale

Are you having a clear out before Christmas and looking for an opportunity to earn a little extra cash?

Local charity, LifeCare will be hosting its first community jumble sale on Sunday 10th of November at our thriving community hub on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge – and we’ve still a few spaces left!  

Tables cost just £20 each, call 0131 343 0940 or email enquiries@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk to book before they all sell out …