A CHARITY offering support to carers across East Lothian will benefit from a business networking club.

Carers of East Lothian (CoEL) was chosen as this year’s charity partner by Love Your Business.

The monthly networking club was set up by Michelle Brown to help start-ups and growth businesses make connections, share contacts, exchange referrals and ideas, and also find new collaborative opportunities.

Jessica Wade, chief executive officer of CoEL, said: ‘‘We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as the Love Your Business charity partner for 2024.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise much-needed funds for our work with local carers, as well as benefiting from Michelle’s valuable expertise to help us reach every carer who needs our support across East Lothian.”

Love Your Business has attracted more than 185 guest speakers, including rugby legend Scott Hastings; Karen Knowles, fifth-generation owner of Bon Accord Soft Drinks; and Chris van der Kuyl, chairman and co-founder of East Linton-based games developer 4J Studios.

The aim of the networking club, which started in Edinburgh in January 2018 and ran online during the pandemic, is also to support charities and social enterprises, helping to raise awareness and donating a percentage of funds from event ticket sales.

This year, Love Your Business is partnering with CoEL, which was founded 26 years ago to provide support for people who are caring for someone.

Studies show that three out of five people will become carers at some stage in their lives, and one in 10 is already fulfilling a caring role.

Many aspects of caring can be rewarding, but caring can also have an impact on the health and wellbeing of the person providing the care.

The free services CoEL offer include information and advice for carers, as well as peer support groups, grants to support carers to take breaks from caring, counselling, workshops, training and events.

Founder Michelle said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Carers of East Lothian this year, which is a cause very close to our hearts.

“The outstanding work they do to support people who are caring for loved ones, including family members, friends and neighbours, for over two decades is highly commendable.

“The charity is dedicated to making life a little bit easier for carers, whether it is supporting them to take a break or signposting them to grants and legal advice, which is why we are honoured to be helping them to raise even more awareness of the great work they are doing and raise funds too.”