ALDI LEVEN

Established in 1969, Arden House is a key resource for the Levenmouth community, providing day care services to the frail elderly, thereby helping them to maintain independent living for as long as possible. Our aim is to lessen social isolation of elderly, frail and dementia service users. We provide day care six days a week and 52 weeks a year, closing only for two days in each of the Christmas and New Year weeks. Arden House provides transport to and from day care with escorts to help service users into centres. Levenmouth is an area of high social deprivation and many elderly residents don't have family or relatives close by to offer support. Staff at Arden House support service users in various ways, including arranging hospital and GP appointments to ensure they are getting the best package of care for their needs and requirements. A specialist programme of activities is designed around each individual's needs. We also work in conjunction with other agencies to maintain service users' mental health and wellbeing.

Here at the Smart Hall at St Kenneths Church we run Open Door Meals for those who are homeless or in need. Every Wednesday at 5.30p.m. every week of the year including Christmas and New Year. Everyone is welcome to attend. We offer a 2 course hot meal and a bag of groceries containing 10 staple items for those who require it. We also offer fruit and vegetables, rolls, cakes, cold meat, eggs and other dairy products donated by local businesses. We have been running for 20 years now and first recognised the need when flats in Kennoway were given to homeless people and they were the first ones we served. However word got round and other people joined us. Mainly those on low income or lonely people. Our charity is advertised on the Church Website and in the yearly Fife Council booklet. There is no charge for the services we offer. We have between 20 and 30 people attending each week, including families, single households, lone parents, people who are lonely and people with alcohol and drug issues. We are able to offer advice and refer them on to The Mens Shed in Kennoway, Levenmouth Foodbank, The Hope Chest at Wellesley Church who provide furniture and to DAPL. We also offer advice regarding housing benefits and electricity and gas issues especially during the winter months. We are fortunate to receive donations of goods from Aldi in Leven, Arden House in Leven, The Co-op in Kennoway and Ramzans in Kennoway and from Cupar Foodbank when they have surplus goods. We have also been in receipt of a Fife Council Winter Warming Grant over the last 3 years and we regularly get donations of food and money from members of our congregation. We also offer household items if available and clothes. It is obvious that there is a need for our services, due to the length of time we have been operating and the amount of people who have been regular users over the years. They are always appreciative of what we are doing for them. We are able to build up relationships with these people and become their friends. We have around 8 to 10 volunteers each week, some of whom will sit at the table and eat with the users. Others will man the grocery tables or work in the kitchen.

The East Wemyss C.A.F.E. (Community Access For Everyone) is a free, welcoming space that brings our community together for friendship and support. Run totally by volunteers from our community, we offer a wholesome lunch and hot and cold drinks at no cost, with rolls and salad available all year. What began as a council-funded "Warm Space" has now been a vital service for almost four years. We've become experts at preventing waste. What we can buy cheap, we offer to everyone so they can get an extra meal. We also make sure to reach those who can't come to us with an outreach service. This simple drop-off ensures they get a meal and some companionship, which can be their only contact all day. Beyond our weekly meetings, we've become a central point for other community groups like Age Scotland and Cozy Kingdom, who provide valuable advice on benefits and grants. We've also started offering music afternoons and have a fundraising group working to bring Christmas lights to the village. We're even planning day trips, especially to help those who live alone. Our long-term dream is to secure our own premises so we can open seven days a week, providing a permanent place for our community to find help, support, and companionship.