This month, as part of our Support in the Community Initiative, we’re shining a spotlight on our Charity of the Month – Home-Start West Lothian.
Established in 2000, Home-Start West Lothian offers free confidential support and practical help to parents with young children, at least one aged under five, in communities throughout West Lothian to provide them with the tools to give their children the best possible start in life.
The charity supports parents as they grow in confidence, overcome obstacles, strengthen their relationship with their children and widen their links within the local community.
They also run ‘Family Support Groups’ to bring people together to share their own experiences and make new friends, and run various activities, including talks on everything from Positive Parenting and Safety in the Home to Healthy Eating and Home Energy and organise trips to soft plays, local parks and Almond Valley Centre.
In 2022 the charity provided support to over 150 families across West Lothian experiencing a range of difficult circumstances, including financial pressures, being a young parent, having multiple children under the age of five, trauma, bereavement, disability, domestic abuse and poor mental health.
With 1 to 1 support parents feel more resilient and able to cope with the challenges they are facing and feel less isolated, resulting in improved mental health and wellbeing and an increase in confidence levels allowing them to be able to support their child’s development.
Following an increase in demand for their services the charity is currently recruiting volunteers, who will receive travel costs and expenses, to allow them to help even more families in the community.
As part of our charity partnership Home-Start West Lothian will receive a £250 Gift Card donation and free pop-up space in the mall on 2nd and 3rd September to help raise awareness of the services and support they offer, and provide an opportunity to recruit more volunteers following an increase in demand for their services. Why not pop along for more information?
You can also find out more about Home-Start West Lothian, and the work that they do, via their website at www.homestartwl.org.uk
