Events

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VSGWL, Community Enterprise, and Business Gateway are collaborating to provide free assistance to local Third Sector Organisations and Social Enterprises. This event specifically caters to small grassroots organisations seeking generic support and aims to showcase the variety of assistance available. This event will take place in-person at The Gateway office in Bathgate. Register to attend

Do you want to find out more about how you can support the parents you engage with towards employment? We are offering an opportunity for organisations to chat about the Partnership for Parents  in a drop-in lunch session via Teams on Tuesday 27 February, 12.30pm – 1.30pm.   Partnership for Parents provides transformative third sector pathways…

Launch event 1 – In person, Tuesday 19th March 09:30 for 10:00 start until 13:00.

Launch event 2 – Online, Thursday 21st March from 10:00 until 12:00.

Launch event 3 – Online, Tuesday 26th March from 14:00 until 16:00.

Join us for an important event on Wednesday 17th April at 10am! Diane Stewart, Health Improvement Lead, will be presenting the West Lothian Suicide Prevention Strategy at The Gateway office. This event is open to all working in the Third Sector, Community Groups, or Social Enterprises interested in learning more about West Lothian's Suicide Prevention…

You are invited to our online Funding Event in partnership with Easy fundraising on Tuesday 23 April 10am – 11am Does your community organisation need additional funds? Join us on Teams to find out how your organisation can receive free unrestricted funding via funding platform easyfundraising. In this informal session, Becky from easyfundraising will: •…

Date: Thursday 25th April Time: 14:00pm Location: The Gateway, 20-22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AX You are invited to join us on Thursday 25th April, at 2pm for a Carer Positive information session with Carers Scotland and Carers of West Lothian. Individuals and Third Sector organisations or Social Enterprises are invited. This event is for…

We cordially invite you to attend an informative event regarding the recent updates to Charity Law in Scotland. Staying informed and compliant with these changes is paramount for all organisations. Some of the main changes include: • increased inquiry powers for OSCR • power to remove charities from the Scottish Charity Register if they do…

Your staff and volunteers are invited to our First Aid Training in partnership with Red Cross on Wednesday 12th June 2024, 10am-12pm. This is a second opportunity to take advantage of this training, the previous event in February sold out quickly and received great feedback. This will be an interactive first aid workshop run by…

We are delighted to invite you to a special event focused on Resilience and Wellbeing for Leaders and Managers, specifically tailored for chief officers and senior managers of West Lothian voluntary sector organisations.   Date: Thursday 27th June Venue: The Gateway, 20-22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AX.   This event aims to: Explore the concepts…

VSGWL is hosting an Income Maximisation Event on Wednesday 28th August, 3pm – 4:30pm, at The Gateway office in Bathgate. This event will take place in person and is tailored for social enterprises aiming to maximise or develop new income streams to enhance profitability. The success of a social enterprise directly impacts its ability to…

Are you a charity working with children, young people or families? Join us for an informative awareness session on Functional Reflex Therapy (FRT) by Pathway2Wellbeing. Learn how this simple yet powerful techniques can significantly enhance the wellbeing of the children, young people and families you support. What to expect: Discover how FRT can support wellbeing,…

Date: Thursday, 26th September 2024 Times: 10:00 am - 11:00 am (MEL Workshop), 11:30 am - 12:00 pm (In-Person Networking) Location: The Gateway, 20-22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AX The event is FREE and will be delivered online -  with the opportunity to join from The Gateway Offices, 20-22 King Street, Bathgate. Whilst many of…

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming event, designed specifically for third sector and social enterprise leaders and managers. This special session, led by wellbeing coach Maire Claire Donnelly, will focus on fostering Resilience and Wellbeing in the workplace. This event is tailored for chief officers and managers of voluntary sector organisations and…

Saltire Awards Information Session – Register Today! We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Saltire Awards Information Session! This event is designed to provide valuable insights and guidance on how to effectively manage and create Saltire accounts. Event Details: Date: Wednesday, 9th October Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm During this session, you will learn:…

Are you looking for funding opportunities to support your community initiatives?  Join us for our upcoming webinar, ” Learn about the West Lothian 4 Community Funding Search Tool “. This informative session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to effectively navigate the West Lothian 4 Community grant search database.  What you will learn:  How…

Join us on 18th December from 3pm to 5pm for a festive networking event designed for third sector organisations and social enterprises across West Lothian! Celebrate the season, share updates, and build connections with colleagues and partners in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy warm drinks, festive treats, and plenty of time to network. No registration required…

Date: Wednesday 22nd January Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway Facilitator: Declan Harrigan Cost: Free of charge Overview Being a CEO in the charity sector is uniquely rewarding but also incredibly demanding. The pressures of managing funding challenges, leading a team, and staying true to your organisation’s mission can lead…

We’re thrilled to invite you to our Evening Networking Event to celebrate 22 incredible years of Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian! 📅 Date: Tuesday, 18th February ⏰ Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm 📍 Location: The Gateway, 20-22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AX This event offers a wonderful chance to network with colleagues in the sector and reflect on our shared journey and accomplishments. No need to…

We’re delighted to invite you to the Engaging Communities Toolkit Training, designed to help individuals and organisations develop their community engagement skills. This interactive session will cover: ✅ What community engagement is and why it matters ✅ Practical tools and methods to engage effectively ✅ How to overcome common challenges You can choose from two…

We're thrilled to announce a new First Aid Training opportunity in collaboration with the British Red Cross! Following the success of our previous sold-out sessions, we're offering another chance for your staff and volunteers to learn vital first aid skills. This interactive workshop, led by experienced Red Cross educators, will help you: Perform essential first…

We would like to invite you to an important information session on the recent changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and related legal requirements, following the implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Date: Wednesday 23rd April Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm Venue: The Gateway, 20-22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AX (In-person and online attendance available) Speaker: Duncan Steele from Volunteer Scotland This…

Are You Familiar with Naloxone? Lifesaving Training for Frontline Staff Event Description:Scotland continues to face a devastating public health emergency, with the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose — and anyone can use it in an emergency. VSGWL and West…

Are You Familiar with Naloxone? Lifesaving Training for Frontline Staff Event Description:Scotland continues to face a devastating public health emergency, with the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose — and anyone can use it in an emergency. VSGWL and West…

Have you identified a need within your community that you would like to address? Are you interested in establishing a business that delivers social impact? The Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian is hosting an informal information session on Wednesday 25th June at 6.30pm at our offices in Bathgate, designed for individuals who would like to learn more about…

Are you an organisation based in Fauldhouse & Breich Valley and want to learn more about what Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian does? We’re delighted to invite you to a community event for local groups and organisations, hosted in partnership by The Gateway, West Lothian Council, and Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Community Development Trust. This…

Hello, We’re pleased to invite you to our upcoming Writing Funding Applications training session – a practical and supportive session designed especially for smaller and grassroots third sector organisations and social enterprises in West Lothian. When: Wednesday 20th August at 3pm Where: The Gateway, 20–22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AX Cost: Free for West Lothian third sector organisations and social enterprises What to…

You are warmly invited to attend an important event on Tuesday 26th August at 2pm where Diane Stewart, Health Improvement Lead, will present an update on the current West Lothian Suicide Prevention Strategy. This session will also provide an opportunity for attendees to give feedback on the new plan. The event is open to anyone working in the Third…

Got questions about the West Lothian Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund? Join our online Q&A session on Wednesday 3rd September at 9.30am to find out more about the fund, including how to apply, what’s eligible, and what’s new for this year – including the option to apply for 2-year funding for the first time.…

We’re inviting third sector organisations across West Lothian who deliver mental health services to join us for an open conversation about setting up a Mental Health Forum. The idea is to bring organisations together to explore whether there is interest locally, and to start shaping what a forum could look like. Together we’ll consider: The…

We are delighted to invite you to our next Meet the Funder event, taking place on Thursday 23rd October at 3:00pm at The Gateway, 20–22 King Street, Bathgate. This interactive session will be hosted with Caitlin Logan Carter, Funding Officer – Edinburgh and the Lothians, The National Lottery Community Fund. The session will include: A short presentation from Caitlin on…

Date: Wednesday 12th November 2025Time: 6:00pmLocation: The Gateway, 20-22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AXCost: Free (registration required) Thinking about starting a social enterprise? If you’ve ever had an idea to make a positive difference in your community, this informal workshop is for you. Join Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian (VSGWL) to explore how to turn…

We’re pleased to invite our partners, third sector organisations and social enterprises from across West Lothian to our festive networking afternoon on Wednesday 17th December, from 3pm to 5pm at The Gateway. This informal gathering is a chance to round off the year together, share updates, and make new connections with colleagues and partners from…

The Social Enterprise Forum is open to all social enterprises operating in West Lothian (a social enterprise is an organisation that is trading and has an asset lock). It is facilitated by The Gateway to enable enterprises’ engagement across West Lothian and its strategic partnerships, provide networking opportunities, peer support and learning. Meetings alternate every…

The Third Sector Strategy Group (TSSG) is open to all Third Sector organisations across West Lothian. This is an opportunity for you to: Influence the work of Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian Amplify your collective voice to local and national government and statutory bodies Network with peers from other organisations The group is chaired by…

The Positive Ageing Services Forum is a space for third sector organisations working with older people in West Lothian to connect, collaborate and influence. The forum offers a valuable opportunity to: Build strong partnerships Share knowledge, ideas and resources Strengthen communication across organisations Influence local and national policy Improve the range and quality of services for older…

Level 1 Adult Support and Protection Training Online | Wednesday 4th March | 2:00pm – 3:30pm This Level 1 Adult Support and Protection Training provides an introduction to adult support and protection, including key roles and responsibilities, and is suitable for those who require an overview of adults at risk of harm. The session is…

VSGWL coordinates the Third Sector Employability Forum to bring together local third sector organisations involved in employability and community support. The forum provides space to: Share updates, resources, and good practice. Build relationships and referral routes. Identify gaps and opportunities. Feed into local and national employability strategy. The Forum is currently chaired by Alan McCloskey (Interim Chair). Join…

The Social Enterprise Forum is open to all social enterprises operating in West Lothian (a social enterprise is an organisation that is trading and has an asset lock). It is facilitated by The Gateway to enable enterprises’ engagement across West Lothian and its strategic partnerships, provide networking opportunities, peer support and learning. Meetings alternate every…

The Children and Families Forum brings together voluntary, community and non-profit organisations from across West Lothian to help shape and strengthen the support available for children, young people and families. By working together, we aim to: Increase the impact of the Third Sector in planning and delivering services Share knowledge, experience and ideas Influence local…

Whether you are currently a trustee or thinking about becoming one, this session will help you better understand the important role trustees play in charities and voluntary organisations. Our Trustee Journey Training provides a practical introduction to the responsibilities of trustees and how effective boards help organisations thrive. This session is suitable for: • Current…

The Third Sector Strategy Group (TSSG) is open to all Third Sector organisations across West Lothian. This is an opportunity for you to: Influence the work of Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian Amplify your collective voice to local and national government and statutory bodies Network with peers from other organisations The group is chaired by…

Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian is hosting an online Volunteer Management Training Session designed to support organisations to effectively recruit, support and retain volunteers. Thursday 9th April1:00pm – 3:00pmOnline This session will introduce the key principles of effective volunteer management and how to create a positive, well-supported volunteering experience. Topics will include: Legal and regulatory…

Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian is pleased to offer this YGAM Social Care training session, designed to help build confidence in supporting young people around gaming and gambling harms. Delivered by Ygam, an award-winning charity dedicated to helping young people lead safe digital lives, this interactive workshop will explore the digital environments young people navigate…

Looking to get involved in your community but not sure where to start? Join our Volunteer Opportunities Showcase event and discover a range of ways you can make a difference across West Lothian. This online session brings together local organisations who are actively looking for volunteers – each giving a short, friendly overview of how…

We’re pleased to invite organisations across West Lothian to our upcoming Green Champion Training, delivered in partnership with West Lothian Climate Action Network and Business Energy Scotland. This free, CPD-certified session is designed to help you improve your organisation’s environmental performance while identifying practical opportunities to reduce costs. What you’ll learn Identify cost-saving and environmental…

We’re delighted to confirm that the VSGWL Volunteer Awards will return in 2026, following the huge success of last year’s event. The awards will take place on: Thursday 4 June 2026as part of Volunteers’ Week (Monday 1 June – Sunday 7 June 2026) This special event will once again shine a spotlight on the incredible contribution volunteers make across…

Join us for a fun and informal football-themed networking event in Bathgate. Enjoy food, activities, and a lively World Cup atmosphere while connecting with others in a welcoming and inclusive setting. Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/world-cup-themed-networking-event-tickets-1991971358957?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true