Business Hours The GATEWAY is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and we can be reached by Email – vsg@vsgwl.org – Telephone (01506) 650111 – or Fax (01506) 650222.

Befrienders Wanted

You don’t have to be a Superhero to make a difference in someone’s life, but you could have what it takes to be a Befriender.  Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian are looking for people aged 16+ who have a good personality, patience, a sense of humour, sensitivity, honesty, good listener, caring, trustworthy and reliable. In exchange for your time you will gain new skills, work experience which could assist in your career, meet new friends and above all give the satisfaction of enhancing the quality of life of an adult with a learning disability.

Training will take place on 23/25 and 30 January 2012 in the Gateway 6.00 pm – 9.00pm with refreshments provided.

If you are interested in becoming a Befriender, or would like more information, please contact Audrey Stevenson or Jenny Caseby on 01506 650111 or e mail vsg@vsgwl.org.

West Lothian Volunteer Awards 2011

The Annual West Lothian Volunteer  Awards Ceremony took place on Wednesday 23 November 2011 at the Hilcroft Hotel, Whitburn.  This year we had a record number of entries for the variety of categories.  200 guests attended the event, this included finalists, friends and family, local councillors, MSPs and leading officers from West Lothian Council.  The judges had a very hard task in selecting the eventual winners.  To view all finalists click here Award Winners 2011.

Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian rewarded for Committing to Excellence

The Gateway is celebrating its recent achievement of “Committed to Excellence” status, having successfully participated in the Big Lottery funded Supporting Voluntary Action (SVA) Quality Matters project. This internationally recognised award, presented by Quality Scotland, marks The Gateway’s commitment to continuous improvement, which they demonstrated by carrying out an in-depth assessment of every aspect of their organisation and identifying and implementing key areas for improvement.

Paul White, Director of Networks at SCVO and Chair of the SVA Management Group commented: This award represents a clear commitment from Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian to strive for excellence and improve the services they provide to front-line voluntary organisations. The commitment made by the staff and management boards of The Gateway should not be underestimated and they should be justly proud of what 

The Community Toolkit

This resource has been developed for and with the help of community groups to help improve skills and knowledge and bring benefits to local communities. There are guidelines on a range of topics, including setting up and running a community group, legal requirements and good practice, planning and fundraising for a particular project and where to obtain useful statistical data on the local area. To access the Toolkit click herethey have achieved.”

New Service for Members

We can now offer members free professional advice from a specialist HR and Training Consultant.  Cameron Riddell will hold a weekly surgery at the Gateway each Monday morning between 9am and 1pm. Linda Riddell can offer confidential advice and guidance on people management and HR issues. In addition, she can provide a range of templates, guidelines and training in employment related issues, basic Health and Safety or charity law, and policies and procedures. It may be possible to see Linda on an ad hoc basis if you drop in to the Gateway but it is recommended that you make an appointment: telephone 01506-650111, speak to James Penman, and quote your membership number.

First Annual Review

Click above for full report

West Lothian Council Life Stages

The Life Stages Outcome Planning Programme is a substantial, strategic programme of change led by West Lothian Council working across the Community Planning Partnership (CPP).  The overall aim of the programme is to enable the CPP to plan and deliver more effective interventions to tackle social inequalities and build successful communities across West Lothian using a Life Stage approach targeting deprived geographical areas.  The Programme recognises that those who are most at risk (and generate the greatest expense in terms of demands on services) often lead complex lives, and hence focuses on redesigning services around the needs of the target group using a partnership approach. Life Stages is about being clear when people most need our support, why they most need our support,which people have the greatest need for our support, and what support they most need from us.  There is a toolkit available to assist planning and delivering services that meet the Life Stages outcomes - The making changes happen support guide to implementing Life Stages from the Community Planning web page.

life stages charts final versions,

Training and Meeting Rooms for Hire

For more information download our leaflet or contact vsg@vsgwl.org (preferred rates for members).

Outreach Volunteer Service(Previously Library Outreach Service)

In February 2011, the Scottish Government  introduced the new PVG membership scheme which  replaced and improved upon the prior disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups. This mean new application forms, new certificates, new guidance and new criteria against which posts and positions must be assessed before an application can be processed.

Click here for detailed information on the scheme

Click here for further information relating to the implementation of the scheme

Schools Mentor Training

Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian, in partnership with West Lothian Council’s “More Choices, More Chances” team, is running a year long pilot project for 14 to 19 year olds who are recognised as under-achieving at school or, in the case of the 16 to 19 age group, unsuccessful in finding employment. The focus of the pilot will be to provide trained Volunteer Mentors to work with individuals for at least two hours per week. As a Volunteer Mentor you will be trained and supported throughout the pilot year. Training will take place at the Voluntary Sector Gateway in Bathgate from 6pm to 9pm over two evenings. Soon after you complete your training you will be matched to a young person who will have read your profile and asked to meet with you. All the young people, like you, will have volunteered to participate in the Mentoring Programme. Please note no further training at the moment.