To celebrate some of the sporting events taking place this summer, including the Euro’s, Scottish Golf Open and the Olympics, we have invited three charities and a social enterprise to take part in our, ‘Jump into Summer’ sports themed events programme.

These include a ‘Beat the Goalie’ challenge in a Euro’s football pop up, basketball and table tennis ‘try outs’ and 44 free daily workshops.

The action-packed event is designed to give visitors the chance to try out a new sport or improve their skills and join in the various free sessions for kids of all ages, running from Saturday, 29^th June until Monday 12^th August, from 11am – 4pm each day.

In partnership with West Lothian Community Foundation a Euro’s football pop up will be located at the activity hub near Waterstones from the 4^th – 8^th July where shoppers can take part in a ‘Beat the Goalie’ challenge and get help from the coaches on how to improve their technique. Newly signed players from Livingston FC will also be joining in the fun on Friday, 5^th at 1.30pm.

To tie in with the Scottish Golf Open, a golf simulator will also be in situ at the activity hub to encourage people to try their hand at the sport or improve their speed and swing from Friday 12^th – 14^th July.

Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club will also be taking part in the event with various demonstrations and opportunities for shoppers to see how many hoops they can shoot, from Friday 26^th – Sunday, 28^th July.

On the 3^rd and 4^th of August West Lothian Community Table Tennis Club, which is a charity based at The Centre, Livingston will also be providing taster and mini coaching sessions.

Leaderboards will chart the best results on the day at the sports pop ups with lucky shoppers being in with a chance of winning £25 Gift Cards.

To highlight the benefits of cycling, Livingston based social enterprise, West Lothian Bike Library, will be taking up residency next to Car Park 1 on Wednesday, 7^th August from 11 – 2pm, where they will also be carrying out bike safety checks.

From the 29^th June until the 12^th August, on all 44 days, families can take part in a wide variety of free workshops with activity leaders from workouts and storytelling sessions to painting classes and a one mile lap of the shopping centre on Saturday, 10^th August at 11am, with kids receiving a wooden keepsake medal at the end for taking part. See full listings here!

There will also be a ‘Spot the Sport’ trail to find pictures in 10 shop windows and on completion, families can enter a weekly prize draw to win a £50 Gift Card every week. All activities are free with the option to donate to any of the four summer charity partners. See here for T&Cs.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “Our ‘Jump into Summer’ sports themed events, which link into some brilliant events this summer, is packed with lots of free fun-filled activities for kids of all ages this year.

“This is a great opportunity for us to give visitors the chance to either try out a new sport or improve their skills with the help of some fantastic coaches.

“The event also gives us another opportunity to support and shine a light on the great work that our summer charity partners are doing in the local community, including West Lothian Community Foundation, Lothian Phoenix Wheelchair Basketball Club, West Lothian Community Table Tennis Club and West Lothian Bike Library.”

Graham Jarvis from West Lothian Community Foundation, said: “We are really excited to bring our portable pitch to The Centre, Livingston this summer as part of the shopping centre’s free sports themed, events programme.

“It is a great way to give people in the community the opportunity to take part in some fun football drills and perfect their dribbling skills.”

Dave Black, Chief Executive Officer, Livingston FC said: “We’re looking forward to heading over to The Centre to join in with their ‘Jump into Summer’ programme next month. It looks like a fantastic set of events planned over the course of the six weeks and we’re delighted to be able to send a few players along to the football pop up.

“Shoppers and our own supporters will have an opportunity to enjoy a kick about with some first-team players whilst also supporting some fantastic local charities.”