Click above for more information

A major new local history project is being undertaken by the Workers’ Educational Association.  Its focus is the Truck and Tractor Plant in Bathgate and volunteers are required to research, record and preserve the story of the plant and its importance to West Lothian.  Share your personal experiences and stories of the plant to help us create a permanent archive.

Come along to our Open Day, at the Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate, on Saturday 9^th October 2010, 10am-12.30pm to find out more.

Edinburgh Cyrenians (www.cyrenians.org.uk) and SACRO (www.sacro.org.uk) have teamed up to offer a mediation and support project for young people and their families. AMBER provides a support service for young people aged 14 – 24 who are experiencing difficulties staying at home.  The service currently operates in Edinburgh and East & West Lothian.

Falling out or having arguments at home can be an inevitable part of growing up but sometimes the stress and strain of it all can lead to young people leaving home in a hurry without having the chance to think it through. Amber offers the option to young people, mums and dads and anyone else in the family to have that opportunity to talk things out, hear the other side of the story and come to an agreement on what the next step should be.

Mediation is a well established process for resolving disagreements in which an impartial third party (the mediator) helps people in dispute to find a mutually acceptable resolution.

When could amber help?

• If you work with a young person who is experiencing conflict within their home.
• If you work with a young person who feels they are being forced out of their home.
• If you know a concerned parent or carer who feels that a child is about to leave home or has already left.
• If a young person has already left home and one or both parties are interested in mending broken relationships.
• If the young person and their family are ready to listen and to find a solution.

The process
A referral is made by an agency, or by self-referral. The young person will then meet with a support worker who may recommend other services that could be of use to them. Both parties will then meet individually with a mediator as many times as necessary, before meeting all together to discuss how to make things better. Hopefully an agreement will be reached through the mediation.

For more information call the Cyrenians office on 01506 205413 or amber@cyrenians.org.uk

Scottish Charity No: SC037312

www.riverkids.org.uk

01506 602520

Donate £2 a month and help change the lives of local children.

http://www.justgiving.com/riverkids/donate

Registration is now open for both events.  Details  at www.westlothianrun.co.uk

All completed application forms to be returned to

by 27th September 2010

West Lothian Community  Health Improvement Grants Notes for Applicants: Download

APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVMENT GRANT 2010 / 2011: Download

Poster: Download

Download further details and Calendar

Food Train have a number of Volunteer Opportunities in West Lothian

The Food Train is a registered charity and voluntary organisation providing a vital grocery shopping delivery and home support service to older people living in West Lothian . The ultimate objective of our organisation is to support local older people to live independently at home.

Click  for more information

Earlier this year a team of 10 people from HM Inland Revenue Livingston undertook a project under the Employer Supported Volunteer Scheme which took place at Crofthead Playgroup, Dedridge. (under this scheme employees  were allowed one paid day to do this volunteer project).

The team enjoyed this project so much that they volunteered in their own time to undertake a make over garden project in Bathgate on 3^rd July.

The venue for the quarterly meeting of Library Outreach Volunteers was West Lothian Library Headquarters.  Volunteers had the opportunity to visit one of the new mobile library vans and hear about the venues and the range of books etc. they carry with Diane Elliot and Peter Wylie who staff the mobile library. This was followed by a very interesting introduction to the Local History Department by Sybil Cavanagh and volunteers were given access to records, books and maps relating to West Lothian which are stored at Library Headquarters.