ALDI LINLITHGOW

To provide services for individuals affected by and in recovery from substance misuse in West Lothian and the surrounding area. To relieve the suffering and disadvantage caused by addictions and to improve the individuals lives and the lives of their families. To provide safe environments such as the 1st Step Cafe, the food eco pantries and the 1st Step workshops for individuals in recovery. The local community, their friends and families are all welcome at the 1st Step Cafe and the community eco pantries. To offer volunteering opportunities by providing healthy food to the local community through community eco friendly pantries. To advance education by providing skills development, with 1st Step bikes , within the eco pantries and the Cafe. This provides meaningful opportunities to gain skills and confidence often leading towards future employment.

Cyrenians OPAL (Opportunities for Active Lives) works with people aged 60+ promoting active and fulfilling lives, creating and enriching communities which empower all to remain independent, living at home and socially connected. The service is delivered by a team of dedicated, trained volunteers who offer encouragement, companionship and support to help people engage in social, leisure and community activities. Community Groups OPAL supports over 20 community groups throughout West Lothian open to anyone 60 and above. These groups are designed to bring people together, share food, foster friendships, have fun and to get people involved in their local community. It is known that social connections are essential for health and well-being at all ages and may be especially important for promoting health in later life. Types of groups: • Social groups • Activity groups • Walking groups • Singing group • Music group • Online group At groups, participants can enjoy a variety of experiences ranging from: live music from entertainers, gentle exercise, quizzes, games, speakers, walks and opportunities to learn/develop new skills. Groups foster a sense of belonging, strengthen social connections, and empower individuals to actively engage and contribute to their community. In addition to our community groups, we recently launched the OPAL community hub at our office in Bathgate. The hub provides a welcoming space to meet, obtain information about local services, access our activity resource library and learn digital skills. We also host Carers of West Lothian who meet with local carers once a month and The Bridge who provide financial support. There are pop up sessions from individuals or organisations of interest who will join our coffee mornings or community lunches. At the hub we promote not only having something to eat, but the importance of someone to eat along with. One-to-One Support The One-to-One service is accessed via a referral by a health professional or individuals can self-refer. It is a time-limited, confidence-building service where clients are matched with a volunteer for a period of typically 6 – 9 months. To ensure the best support, we match clients with like-minded volunteers who share common interests. The service supports clients in progressing towards a specific personal goal through: • Visits at home • Friendly chats on the phone • Short local outings to shops or a cafe • Confidence-building walks • Attending local community groups One-to-One support allows individuals to build their confidence, link into their local community, learn new or develop existing skills and improve wellbeing.

Helping to alleviate food poverty in Bo’ness and Blackness