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Org in the Spotlight - Mental Health Advocacy Project

10/2/2021

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The Mental Health Advocacy Project (West Lothian) provides individual and collective advocacy services to people with mental health issues and/or addictions and to carers. The purpose of advocacy is to ensure that the people we represent have their voice heard and their rights upheld. ​
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Individual advocacy is done on an issue based one-to-one basis and can be accessed by calling 01506 857 230 or emailing admin@mhap.org.uk. Collective advocacy takes the form of group meetings where collective goals are suggested and discussed before we put them in to action. Ordinarily, we run the West Lothian Mental Health Service User’s Forum and The Voice of West Lothian which is a forum for people with substance issues but these have unfortunately been put on hold since the beginning of the pandemic.
 
In order to try and ensure that people’s views are still heard when we cannot meet in person, we have started an online forum called the West Lothian Mental Health Forum which can be accessed on Facebook and is growing steadily with 51 members currently. We would really appreciate it if anyone who uses mental health services or would like to voice their opinion on mental health services in West Lothian would join the online forum and like our Facebook page. We will soon be starting a Zoom forum which will be advertised on these pages and we are always keen to hear people’s thoughts on how to improve services in West Lothian.
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ORG IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Riverkids

11/11/2020

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Who we are
 
River Kids is a West Lothian based children’s charity, founded in 2005, with the sole purpose of supporting disadvantaged children, and their families.

​Here at River Kids we believe that no child should go without, and this is reflected in our new Vision: 
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​“To support disadvantaged children and their respective families in West Lothian and the wider community.  River Kids will achieve this by providing those disadvantaged children with opportunities to reach their full potential.  This will be through educational, financial and emotional support.”
 
River Kids also runs the West Lothian Toy Appeal, which is now an all-year-round event (previously only being a Christmas event). We will now provide a gift on a child’s birthday as well as providing eggs at Easter time.
 
What we do

  • Provide employment opportunities - we will provide children with volunteering and employment opportunities to ensure they have the best start in life.
 
  • Provide financial support via grants - we will provide children with financial support (grants) to ensure they are not excluded from extra-curricular event.
 
  • Deliver the West Lothian Toy Appeal - we will provide toys throughout the year to children to ensure they do not go without on their birthday or at Christmas…
 
  • Provide a safe place for those in need - we will provide those who need it a safe place to come and get the support that they may need.
 
With an office in Livingston and a storage unit in Broxburn we currently have 3 full time staff, and the majority of our activities revolve around redistributing highly quality second-hand clothes and toys that have been donated by the public. These clothes and toys will then be passed on to those families referred to us from agencies such as social work, DASAT and the homeless unit.
 
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​Moving into our 15th year, River Kids is going through a full relaunch.  We have recently incorporated (more details to be revealed in due course). We’ve moved into the 21st Century and will be making full use of Social Media and finally we’ll be building more relationships with other local charities and supporting more children than ever before.
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ORG IN THE SPOTLIGHT - RE-engage

14/10/2020

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​You may already know Re-engage as the charity that organises Sunday afternoon tea parties for older people experiencing loneliness; we are very active in West Lothian. Due to the to the COVID-19 crisis, our tea parties had to be suspended.  Re-engage has been providing social contact for older generation for over 50 years and we are committed to continuing to tackle loneliness. Therefore, we are delighted to announce we have launched Call Companions – a telephone befriending service – so we can continue with this vital work.
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This is a free service for anyone 55+ who may be socially isolated, feeling lonely and who would enjoy a regular friendly chat over the phone. We have volunteer Call Companions ready and waiting to be matched with potential referrals.
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We only launched Call Companions at the end of May and already have nearly 800 people enjoying regular chats with their Call Companions.  We have had some lovely comments from people enjoying our new service.

​‘I feel like we are living in very dark times but my Call Companion chats are a bright light in my week’.
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As an organisation we are so pleased to have found a way of continuing to offer a lifeline of friendship.
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If you would like to refer anyone to Call Companions, you are welcome to refer online (with their permission, of course) at www.reengage.org.uk or simply pass on our freephone number: 0800 716543. We have friendly staff who can go through the application form with them over the phone. 
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Org in the SPotlight - Safe Families

16/9/2020

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  • Who?
Safe Families started in the UK in 2012 and we currently work with 35 local authorities. We have been in Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2015.
 
  • What?
Safe Families is a charity that believes no one should feel alone. We exist to create relationship and connection because we believe everyone deserves to belong.
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    Support. Hope. Belonging.
    • Why?
    Facing life alone is hard, and when you feel there is no one there to support you it is a scary place to be. Therefore, at Safe Families we offer support, hope and belonging to improve the lives of those in our communities. We link children, young people and families with local volunteers who can offer them help and support.
     
    • How?
    Our volunteers are family friends, host families or resource friends. During COVID-19, we have also been recruiting connect friends. We come alongside children, parents and carers and support them in times of crisis and hardship.
     
    • You can make a difference…
    We are always looking for new volunteers who can support families that are referred to us. If you feel that you could support families in West Lothian, we would love to hear from you. Please fill out our online volunteer form at: https://volunteer.safefamilies.uk/
    ​​
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    ORG IN THE SPOTLIGHT - SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

    12/8/2020

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    The Supported Employment Service at West Lothian Council aim to increase the number of people with additional support needs, a health condition or Disability into paid mainstream employment.

    Our team deliver specialist employability support to West Lothian job seekers as well as an advisory service for local employers to become Disability Confident plus support when recruiting or retaining staff.
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    Established in 2017, the team of 5 staff have exceeded outcomes; their endeavours being recognised  by reaching the finals of the Council’s Celebrating Success Awards, winning the Project SEARCH, UK Team of the Year Award and more recently the ERSA Employability Awards 2020, UK Team of the Year category, the only Scottish team to reach  the finals.

    Supported Employment participants are allocated a designated experienced employment advisor who will work with them 1-2-1.

    Seeking work - we identify your skills and any barriers then action plan you for a future in work.  We produce your CV, help with job applications and prepare you for future job interviews.

    In employment - we can support both you and your employer so you can sustain work or support your move to alternative employment.

    During Lockdown adapting the service to remote working allows us to continue to support our client group. In the last 3 months the team have successfully delivered a wide range of Wellbeing and Employability training sessions by video call.

    If you are interested in learning more about the service email: 
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    supportedemployment@westlothian.gov.uk or text 07917 814 440 for a call back
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    ORG IN THE SPOTLIGHT - THE SCHOOL BANK WEST LOTHIAN

    15/7/2020

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    ​The School Bank West Lothian is a charity that supports families with the cost of the school day. We supply school uniforms and other essential school items to help families who are experiencing financial and domestic difficulties. Our charitable purposes are to prevent or relieve child poverty in families experiencing financial hardship in West Lothian and support the advancement of education of children and young people facing socio-economic and cultural deprivation.
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    ​Our work aims to improve the mental health and well-being of children and young people by enabling them to feel included at school. Being accepted by your peer group is a vital part of growing up and being kitted out with a new school uniform helps support young people to concentrate on their education, as opposed to their appearance. Feedback from referrals has indicated that children feel proud and excited by their new uniform and parents/carers are less stressed.

    The need for our service is growing. In the year to 2019 - 2020 we received 840 referrals, which is continuing to increase. We anticipate further demand for our service during the continued impact of COVID-19 on people’s employment and finances. We therefore appeal for more donations to meet this demand  - please see our website for more information on how to donate.
    We operate on a referral basis and will accept a referral from any professional organisation, such as schools, social work, health visitors or advice based organisation.

    For further information about our service or to find out how you can volunteer and support our work, please contact Project Manager Collette Moran – collette@schoolbank-westlothian.org or 07578811398
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    ORG IN THE SPOTLIGHT - BRIDGE COMMUNITY PROJECT

    17/6/2020

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    ​“The bridge has stopped me from giving up during the tough times. I feel I can call on your support without judgement” Recent Bridge Client
     
    The Bridge Community Project was founded in 2014 by local people who wanted to make a difference to everyday wellbeing. The project has grown to now operate 3 distinct services.
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    Financial Wellbeing
    Providing free face to face money advice and additional support to people across our communities. The service offers home visits and focuses on delivering intensive support aimed at building resilience, enabling people to take control of their finances.
     
    Counselling
    Offering affordable talk therapy options to anyone aged over 18 in West Lothian, the service gives people the opportunity to explore and talk about some of lifes issues in a safe, caring, confidential and non-judgemental space. Some of the issues that we can offer support with include: anxiety, stress, depression, abuse, relationship issues, family conflict, self esteem, bullying, bereavement or anger issues.
     
    Group work

    Over the past year we have been working in partnership with other organisations to deliver practically focused bereavement support courses. We plan on developing further group courses over the coming year.
     
    Volunteering?
    The Bridge relies on its volunteers to provide the variety of support that is offered locally. We have a number of different opportunities available and would encourage you to look at our website for further information https://bridgecommunityproject.org.uk/rebuildhope/.
     
    "The Bridge is a safe and welcoming space. I enjoy being part of a friendly team and feel proud being able to volunteer as a counsellor within this supportive environment."
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    ORG IN THE SPOTLIGHT - HCL TRANSPORT

    29/4/2020

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    HcL Transport runs supported community transport services in West Lothian. We provide door-through-door services for people with limited mobility who are unable to use ordinary buses and/or suffering a degree of social exclusion due to age, disability, additional support needs, health issues (long or short term) and geographic remoteness. We have been providing these services for 37 years across Edinburgh and the Lothians.  ​
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    In 2019 we provided over 80,000 passenger journeys, a weekly average of 1,600 passengers. Our services are: 

    Dial-A-Ride - journeys are wherever the passenger(s) want to go – to medical appointments, meet friends, visits to family, to the shops, church, cinema or theatre, to Waverley or Edinburgh Airport. Or group outings. This service is available 7 days a week including evenings. 

    Dial-A-Bus provides transport from home to local shopping centres or supermarkets. The Service operates at least once a week from most areas in West Lothian taking passengers to The Centre in Livingston, 
    Asdas and Morrisons in Livingston, 
    Morrisons and Aldi in Bathgate and Tescos in Bathgate and Linlithgow. 
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    The drivers not only help passengers on and off the bus, but help them from inside their home onto the vehicle. On the return they support them into their home and take their shopping inside their home. Each bus can carry two wheelchair passengers in their wheelchairs. All buses are fitted with wheelchair lifts at the rear. 

    Our services are vital to so many people. It allows them independence, enables them to get out of their home, meet people, reducing isolation and improving wellbeing while contributing to a sense of community.  

    On the bus, people who would not know each other without this service, have a great comradery, they look out for each other and keep in touch out with the Dial-A services.  

    The difference our service makes is even more apparent now during this pandemic, where so many of our passengers are now in isolation. We are trying to support them in different ways, in partnership with other local organisations and charities, to ensure they have food delivered and can attend urgent medical appointments. ​
    Service users tell us:  
    ‘Without DAR sometimes I would be housebound. The chaps are always welcoming and I feel safe and secure at all times. I look forward to them coming to get me, no matter where I am going. Thanks a lot to your drivers and the service’ 

    ‘This service means I can get out and about. It lets me continue to do things I couldn't do otherwise’ 
    ‘The service gives me independence. I use it for the hospital, shopping, meals with friends - taxis are very expensive’ 

    To find out more about using our services and prices call our office in Bathgate – 01506 633336 (Dial-A-Bus) and 01506 633953 (Dial-A-Ride).  
    ​

    If you are interested in volunteering either as a driver, in the office helping with despatch or on an adhoc basis to help at events and with fundraising,
    ​please email bathgate@handicabs.org.uk. 
    ​
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    ORG IN THE SPOTLIGHT - MACMILLAN HELPING MATTERS

    25/3/2020

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    ​Helping Matters is a volunteer led project run by Macmillan Cancer Support. Our volunteers can provide practical assistance such as essential shopping, light housework, gardening or driving a patient to an appointment or community group.
    Emotional support is extremely valuable, and our volunteers can provide companionship by chatting face to face or over the phone. Befriending support is often provided which may just involve being a listening ear or having a chat about topics other than cancer.

    Volunteering with Helping Matters is such a rewarding way to offer practical and emotional support to those who need it, making a big difference to people’s lives. Macmillan volunteer Cath tells us, “I enjoy seeing people get their confidence back. It means a lot to me that I’ve helped someone through such a difficult time.”

    All of our volunteers undertake a full induction programme, including Disclosure Check (PVG). All out of pocket expenses are also reimbursed. Helping Matters Volunteers are offered access to a free training programme throughout the year delivered by Macmillan professionals.

    ​
    During the Coronavirus crisis Helping Matters are currently only offering telephone befriending. We are still actively recruiting new volunteers, if you think that you can give someone a friendly call then please contact Kathryn Speirs on:
    Phone: 07801 307 086
    Email: kspeirs@macmillan.org.uk
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