midspace.co.uk - Midlothian's Mental Health Information Website

30/07/2026

Beat the heat with advice from NHS 24🌞

NHS 24 is is sharing advice on how to help you stay well this summer.

Discover essential tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and happy, including advice on 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹.

NHS 24’s digital resources are here to help you get the health advice you need fast. As well as the handy summer advice page on NHS inform, the NHS 24 Online app is free to download and has helpful symptom checkers for guidance on common conditions and illnesses.

Find out more about NHS 24 Summer Health:
https://midspace.co.uk/get-summer-ready-with-nhs-24/

30/07/2026

Honouring loved ones and breaking stigma💚

The Speak Their Name Memorial Quilts is visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow this August

Visit the free exhibition at:
🧵 Edinburgh Waverley Station: 1–2 August
🧵 Glasgow Central Station: 8–9 August

The exhibition includes the Lothians Speak Their Name Quilt – currently the only Memorial Quilt in Scotland – created by families, friends and volunteers from across the Lothians to honour loved ones lost to su***de.

Read more about the exhibition, the Scottish quilt and where to find support:
https://midspace.co.uk/speak-their-name-memorial-quilt-tour-comes-to-edinburgh/

Lothians Speak Their Name Quilt

28/07/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲🌟

Here’s a snapshot of some of the support services we’ve added to Midspace recently…

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 (Dalkeith Citizens Advice Bureau)
Free, tailored support and advice for anyone diagnosed with or has a child with or is the carer of a person with ADHD, autism, or any other form of neurodiversity.
https://midspace.co.uk/services/infinity-project-dalkeith-citizens-advice-bureau/

𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 (WAY Widowed And Young)
Peer-to-peer support online for people aged 50 or under when their partner died. Operated with a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age, so they understand what members are going through.
https://midspace.co.uk/services/way-widowed-and-young/

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (Buildu Scotland)
Buildu are now running a Thursday MakeHer Space for women to make and upcycle while building skills and community connection.
They’ve also started a Monthly Women’s Accountability Group in Dalkeith to share goals, motivate and inspire each other.
MakeHer Space: https://midspace.co.uk/services/makeher-space-buildu-scotland/
Monthly Women’s Group: https://midspace.co.uk/services/monthly-womens-group/

Do you know of any new services? Let us know on [email protected].

23/07/2026

Taking a short, intentional pause can help you reset, focus, and reconnect with the present moment.

Wherever you are, these quick exercises can reduce stress, improve concentration, and support your wellbeing throughout the day.

Let’s try controlled breathing!

1. Sit in a comfortable chair or lie down.
2. Breathe in through your nose for 3 seconds.
3. Hold this breath for 3 seconds.
4. Breathe out through your mouth for 3 seconds.
5. Hold for 3 seconds.
6. Continue until you feel more relaxed.

Find more mindfulness activities:
https://midspace.co.uk/self-help/tips-and-advice-to-boost-mental-health-and-wellbeing/mindfulness/

21/07/2026

Over the summer months, you may find your routines and daily life shifts and changes.

Using simple exercises and activities can help to restore a sense of calm and help you feel grounded.

Explore tried and tested ways to relax and find calm, including:
😮‍💨Breathing and relaxation exercises from NHS Inform:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/breathing-and-relaxation-exercises/
🎞️8 relaxation tips from Mind [video]:
https://youtu.be/cyEdZ23Cp1E
💡Relaxation techniques for stress relief from HelpGuide.org:
https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief

Discover more in the Midspace relaxation guide:
https://midspace.co.uk/self-help/tips-and-advice-to-boost-mental-health-and-wellbeing/relaxation/

15/07/2026

For parents looking to improve your mental health🐎

Communities, Lifelong Learning and Employability - Midlothian are offering a Wellbeing with Horses course, designed to boost your wellbeing and build hands-on animal handling skills.

Being around animals can be comforting, and help reduce stress or feelings of loneliness.

Starts Tuesday 18 August👇

Wellbeing With Horses
Are you a Midlothian parent struggling to get out and about? Is your mental health holding you back? This 6-week course offers the chance to improve your wellbeing, build confidence and gain hands-on experience working with horses from the ground.
You can also work towards SQA Wellbeing Level 3 and SQA Animal Handling Level 3 qualifications.
📅 Tuesdays, 18 August - 29 September 2026
🕘 10am - 12.30pm
📍 Drum RDA, Gilmerton, Edinburgh EH17 8RX

15/07/2026

When a friend or relative is diagnosed with dementia, it’s natural not to know what to do. But, helping someone stay connected and socially active can help them stay well for longer.

It’s time to rethink dementia.

Learn why social contact is so important:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/rethink-dementia/

13/07/2026

What does your child want to see in Midlothian’s future?

Your child sees Midlothian differently than you do. Midlothian Young Citizens’ Panel for anyone aged 11–17 is their chance to make their views heard.

Share this opportunity with your child to sign up:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/uxy2e5

09/07/2026

Are you feeling overwhelmed?

Take a moment to think about what you do right now to cope when you’re struggling. How well is it working?

If you are feeling stuck and would like to try something different, explore this practical, compassionate guide useful for people of any age from PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Su***de to get started:
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/help-me/struggling-sad-or-frightened/coping-strategies

07/07/2026

⏰Starting soon⏰

Looking to learn something new, or meet new people? These courses available in Midlothian are designed to help you build skills, reduce stress and connect.

𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧+ 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 (MYPAS)
For LGBT+ young people to discover and enjoy movement in ways that suit you.
On now at Lasswade Leisure Centre, every Tues and Thurs 2-4pm to 6 August.
https://midspace.co.uk/services/lgbt-support-midlothian-young-peoples-advice-service-mypas/

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 (Health in Mind)
Learn how stress affects our bodies, thoughts and actions, and develop skills to manage it.
Starts Wednesday 15 July at Loanhead Leisure Centre, every Wed 1-2:30pm for 6 weeks.
https://midspace.co.uk/services/stress-control-classes-health-in-mind/

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (Archaeology Scotland)
For parents with barriers to employment in Midlothian to build practical skills and confidence.
Starts Tuesday 25 August at Newbattle Abbey College, every Tues and Thurs 10am-2pm to 8 October.
https://midspace.co.uk/services/employment-through-archaeology-archaeology-scotland/

𝗔𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀! (Into Work 2)
Autistic-led sessions providing tools and insights to better prepare you for or improve your working life. Starting August 2026, online.
https://midspace.co.uk/services/aut-support-works-into-work/

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 (Health in Mind)
A 6-week course for anyone who wants to develop coping strategies to support their wellbeing.
Starts Monday 7 September at Saint John’s & Kings Park Church, every Mon 1:30-3pm for 5 weeks.
https://midspace.co.uk/services/wellbeing-toolkit-health-in-mind/