New Community Connections sessions launched across West Lothian

Community Connections' Livingston North drop-in was launched on Friday 28 October at Livingston North Partnership Centre, with the Blackburn drop-ins commencing on Tuesday 15 November at Blackburn Partnership Centre.

The drop-ins will offer weekly, in-person sessions to provide valuable advice to those wishing to access local services.

The first phase of Community Connections was launched in West Calder and Linlithgow. Since its launch earlier this year, Community Connections has offered advice to over sixty people.

Alison White, Director of West Lothian HSCP, said: "Having begun Community Connections in West Calder and Linlithgow earlier this year, we are thrilled to see new sessions launched in Livingston North and Blackburn.

"We know that local residents appreciate access to advice in their own communities, and Community Connections allows us to meet this need."

Community Connections is a volunteer-lead initiative, which aims to support West Lothian residents via weekly hub sessions. It is run in partnership with West Lothian Council, with the council providing part of the funding for the initiative.

The 'pop-up' information drop-ins will provide access to advice in an informal setting and onward referral to community resources and third sector services.

Further Community Connections drop-in sessions are being planned for additional areas of West Lothian. Details on sessions in these locations will be shared in the near future.

Alison added: "I would also like to thank our volunteers who have made Community Connections such a success. Their continued commitment has allowed us to launch and expand Community Connections.

"We look forward to further expanding Community Connections in 2023 and I would urge anyone wish to get advice from volunteers to attend our drop-in sessions."

For more on the project, please visit: https://westlothianhscp.org.uk/community-connections