Jobs in East Lothian

Changes have secured funding from the National Lottery Fairer Lives Community Fund to continue delivering ‘Well Connected’ a befriending programme supporting positive mental health and wellbeing to those most isolated in our community. The befriending coordinator will be responsible for all aspects of the project (alongside their job share), from assessment and delivery to evaluation. The postholder will train and manage volunteers, work with other staff at the charity and host an East Lothian Befriending Network to share best practice.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, skilled and highly motivated candidate who is confident working with a high degree of autonomy in continuing this project and ensuring it’s success. This is a part time job share role. 16 hours to be worked Monday (afternoon/evening) and Wednesday daytime (ideally).

Changes Equalities statement:

“Changes strive to ensure fair and inclusive services which celebrate and value the diversity of the community of East Lothian. Changes welcome opportunities to improve equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation and we will continue to review our progress and champion equalities.”

About Changes

Changes believes in positive mental health and wellbeing for everyone. As a charity in East Lothian, Changes is here to help the community achieve and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing by providing a wide range of services and activities including 1-1 therapy, support groups and courses, healthy living activities, training, and volunteering opportunities.

Services are free and open to everyone over the age of 18 living, or registered with a GP, in East Lothian. Changes provides support for a wide range of challenges including stress, panic, low mood, low self-esteem, anxiety, worry, depression, and negative thinking. Activities are friendly, welcoming, and inclusive and offer opportunities to meet new people, get active and get involved in the local community.

Our Vision:

Our vision is that everyone in East Lothian enjoys positive mental health and wellbeing.

Our Mission:

Changes have grown from within the community to enable people to achieve and maintain good mental health and wellbeing through:

• Support groups and courses
• Therapy from experienced therapists
• Physical wellbeing activities
• Training our community to support others

Our Values:

Compassion – We treat our work, our community, our partners and each other with warmth, respect and compassion.

Welcoming – We offer a warm, friendly and supportive welcome to everyone. We know it’s not always easy to ask for help but we’re here to support you.

Community – We are an inclusive community which celebrates and values the diversity of East Lothian and everyone living there.

About Aberlour Options Lothian

Aberlour Options Lothian offers a range of short break services to children and young people with complex needs. We offer a safe, homely environment for a child to come and stay for a short break that gives their families a rest from their caring role. During that break, children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff. Our service is very much a ‘home from home’ for the children who stay with us. We are within easy commuting distance of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian with access via the numbers 26, 111 and 124 bus routes.

The difference we make to families:

“It’s not easy to accept that sometimes you need help. We had reached rock bottom but Aberlour Options Lothian was that lifesaving buoyancy aid.

It wasn't easy accepting leaving my son there especially in the early days when it was new to everyone. It is a safe and welcoming place and a second home in many respects now. Somewhere he is safe, cared for and has loads of fun with the carers and other children.

It’s not just about respite; we have received help with managing behaviour, preparing for hospital visits and operations. Help and advice when there seemed to be no one else listening or who understands. It’s hard to look back to where we were but no we wouldn't be here today without their help and support.

To sum it up: Saved our lives. Peace of mind. Finally a rest.”

What we are looking for....

As part of a small team, you will ensure that the highest level of physical and emotional care is provided to the children and young people. Experience in this type of work is preferred however we will consider all applications. Our service is open Thursday afternoons to Monday mornings. We are looking for someone to work weekends which may including sleepover shifts, 12hr shifts or shorter shifts and who is flexible to attend training and team meetings when needed.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. At Aberlour we have strong values - Respect, Integrity, Innovation and Challenging - which influence our everyday work. If you choose to apply for this role please tell us about your values in your supporting statement. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers. Please click here to have a look at our Employee Benefits.

Are you an enthusiastic, organised and highly motivated individual with youth work experience and have a passion for motorbikes? Then this post is for you. The position will be fixed term for one year in the first instance.

The successful candidate will be required to work as part of an existing team for a well-established youth Motorcycle Project and full training will be given. We work closely with local schools and youth agencies to provide group work and 1-1 programmes for young people. The Project uses off road motorcycles and group work activities to focus and engage young people. A passion for motorcycles and helping young people is a must for this role.

The Bridge Centre Motorcycle Project (BCMP) is a charitable organisation, operating as a part of The Haddington Bridge Centre Ltd.

The Project was first established in 1990, becoming a full-time charity in 1999.

BCMP works with young people aged from 11 to 25 and is designed to support individuals who have a wide range of additional support needs by using off road motorcycles and team building games/exercises as mediums to engage them. The work is aimed at promoting inclusion and social welfare.

The 3 main types of work at the Project are:

• Group Work Programmes (Educational Support Programmes)
• 1-to-1 Programmes (Individual Placements)
• Open Access Club

BCMP Works with young people individually or in small groups to develop confidence, supporting them to challenge themselves and work towards exciting and achievable goals, while learning new life skills.

The Project works with Secondary Schools and other partnering youth agencies/organisations with the aim of identifying young people who would benefit from taking part in an Educational Support Programme. The Project also works with referred young people who are not suited to participating in group work on a 1-to-1 basis.

In addition, the Project runs an open access club for young people aged 11-16 to join. This part of the Project allows self-referred young people to learn the skills and techniques of off-road motorcycling in a safe environment.

Detailed information about all the Motorcycle projects can be viewed in the full Motorcycle Project Annual Report 2024-2025

We are excited to be offering a full-time youth worker position with the Bridge Centre Motorcycle Project, initially for one year, with extension possible.

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) is seeking a motivated and organised individual to join our team as Assistant Development Officer (ADO). This post enhances the Club’s delivery of key programmes and provides vital support to our Development Manager across several cross-cutting areas of activity. It’s an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful youth and community engagement work, and to help shape the future of Scotland’s birding community. The post will be line managed by the Development Manager.

Hours:22.5 hours per week (flexibly over 3 days, with at least one day overlapping the Development Manager)

Contract:Fixed-term, 24 months from start date

Salary:£13.74–£14.38 per hour (depending on experience) (equivalent to approx. £16,076–£16,825 per annum pro rata)

Location:Hybrid working, with presence at Waterston House (Aberlady) and occasional travel to events

Start Date:As soon as possible in 2026

About the Role

This post will take a lead on several high-impact programmes and provide broader development and administrative support to the SOC. The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Coordinating the Scottish Bird Camp, SOC’s flagship youth initiative, and contributing to the development of a new schools-based outreach programme targeting underrepresented young people in Scotland.
• Managing the Club’s Winter Talks Programme, working with speakers and SOC branches to deliver a diverse and inspiring programme of 80+ talks annually.
• Supporting the Club’s branch network, assisting with volunteer communications, outreach activities, and local development projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver the annual Scottish Bird Camp, liaising with partners, staff, and young participants.
• Oversee the development and production of the SOC’s Winter Talks Programme in collaboration with branch volunteers and external speakers.
• Provide administrative and practical support to the Development Manager, branches, and other staff involved in delivering development projects.
• Maintain regular communication with volunteers, speakers, and external partners to ensure a coordinated and professional approach.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience in event planning and coordination, preferably including cyclical or multi-stakeholder events.
• Demonstrated experience working professionally with young people in a supportive, inclusive, and safe manner.
• Excellent organisational and multitasking skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a confident and professional approach to stakeholder engagement.
• A solid understanding of safeguarding practices and willingness to undertake training as required.
• Ability to work independently while also being a collaborative and supportive team member.
• Confidence using digital tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Zoom, and Canva.
• A strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and engaging underrepresented communities.
• Well-established contacts in the ornithological and/or wider natural history community, enabling effective speaker recruitment and broadening the reach of SOC’s Winter Talks Programme.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience delivering youth-focused environmental or conservation programmes.
• Knowledge or strong interest in birds, ornithology, or natural history.
• Familiarity with SOC’s structure and branch network.
• Experience with social media and digital communications for outreach and event promotion.
• Experience using project or event management software and/or CRM systems.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a passionate and knowledgeable team working at the heart of Scottish ornithology. This role offers flexible working, the chance to make a lasting impact on youth and community engagement, and an opportunity to shape national programmes that connect people with birds and nature. To learn more about the Club and our work, please visit www.the-soc.org.uk.

Help Shape the Future for Unpaid Carers in East Lothian.

Are you passionate about supporting unpaid carers and making a lasting difference in your community?

Would you like to use your skills, insight and experience to help a local charity grow, strengthen and thrive?

Carers of East Lothian has been championing unpaid carers since 1996 — and as we celebrate 30 years of making a difference, we’re just getting started.

As a leading third sector organisation, we support, empower and amplify the voices of unpaid carers across East Lothian. With demand for our services growing and an ambitious new 5-year strategy launching, there’s never been a more exciting time to get involved.

Join our Board and help shape the next chapter of our journey — your experience, insight and passion could make a real difference.

Why Join Our Board?

As a Trustee, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of our charity. Working collaboratively with fellow Board members, you will provide strategic leadership, governance and oversight to ensure we remain true to our mission and values.

You will:

• Help shape and influence our long-term vision and strategy
• Contribute to meaningful discussions at Board meetings
• Ensure strong governance and compliance with legal responsibilities
• Oversee financial sustainability and organisational resilience
• Support and constructively challenge senior staff and volunteers
• Act as an ambassador, championing our work and building partnerships

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible impact in your community, develop your leadership skills, and gain valuable experience in charity governance. Previous Board experience is not necessary.

Who We are Looking For?

• An individual with commitment to the mission, vision, values and objectives of the charity
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Integrity and sound judgement
• Think and apply knowledge creatively and strategically
• Experience of or an understanding of the demands on unpaid carers

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We are especially keen to hear from individuals who can bring diverse perspectives or lived experience connected to unpaid caring.

While we would particularly value skills in finance, law, fundraising, communications, or HR, enthusiasm, commitment and a genuine belief in our mission are just as important.

If you want to help create a stronger future for unpaid carers in East Lothian, we’d love to hear from you.

Partners in Advocacy has an exciting opportunity for a new board member with an interest in independent advocacy.

We are seeking a Trustee who will have good interpersonal and communication skills, a commitment to working as a team, an understanding of and commitment to our charity’s work, a broader knowledge of trends across the third-sector and the application of those to strategic work.

Partners in Advocacy welcomes applications from people with a disability, those with a minority ethnic background, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Ark is a major provider of Housing, Care and Support to people with long term and enduring conditions such as learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and autism.

Ark supports people to live independently in their own homes providing everything from a few hours a week social and life admin support to 24/7 care supporting with personal care, medication, household tasks, attending appointments and leisure activities.

We have lots of opportunities across Scotland for our Support Worker roles. As we provide full training no previous is experience is required.

If you are enthusiastic about supporting people to live their best lives, then apply now to join our team!

Your main duties will include but not be limited to:

• Working with colleagues as part of an effective and efficient team to support vulnerable people.
• Communicate and work well with our supported people to provide individual care and maintain appropriate relationships.
• Being responsible in supporting individuals throughout the activities, giving positive feedback and encouragement.
• Updating and maintaining accurate records using a tablet on Arks Information Management system.

Previous experience of the following is an advantage but not essential as Ark will provide full training: Care Worker, Social worker, Home Carer, Case Worker, Care Assistant, Autism Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant , Social Care Worker.

View our job outline, find out what you working week could look like and hear from our current Support Workers on Arks website arkha.org.uk/work-with-us

Why Ark?

• No Previous Experience Required - Ark provide full training so no previous experience is required making our Support Worker roles the perfect place to start your career in Adult Social Care.
• Get a qualification while you work - Ark fully fund your SVQ2 in Health & Social Care which you complete with the support of our in house SVQ team.
• Employee Discounts - Employee Discounts Portal with 1000s of discounts on your favourite brands including Supermarkets, Cinema Tickets, Gym Membership and Holidays.
• Career Progression -Over 75% of all Managers within Care & Support have been promoted internally.
• Employee Assistance Program - Arks Employee Assistance program (EAP) gives all employees access to counselling sessions. There is also support available through weekly webinars and the EAP Website & App.
• Contracted hours to suit you-We have Full-time, Part-time and Relief Support Worker roles available at our services throughout Scotland.

In return for your valuable contribution, Ark will also offer you:

• Up to 36 days paid holiday per year pro rata
• 4% Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Fully funded PVG & 1st year SSSC registration paid by Ark

Our employees told us in a recent survey that they stay with Ark because they believe in our values, we have supportive managers who continually appreciate their staff and they love making a positive difference in our supported peoples lives, helping them to achieve their dreams.

Ark would love to hear from you whether you are an experienced Support Worker or new to Social Care.