ALDI BROXBURN

St Nicholas Church, Sighthill has had a longstanding connection with children in the parish and beyond, dating back to 1939, when our congregation was established. We are growing steadily, as a local church in the community and, in particular, in the ministry of care and support for families and children in our parish. Our most recent annual event, which attracts around 180 children and their families, is St Nicholas Day. We hold this celebration at the beginning of the advent season and on Sunday that is closest to St Nicholas Day (6th December). It is attended by; (a) children who come to our Sunday school (Navigators) and messy church (held on the first Friday of every month) events, (b) grandchildren and great-grandchildren of our church members, (c) children who live and play in the parish or who go to the four primary schools located in (or close to) the parish (Murrayburn, Sighthill, Canal View and St Josephs) and (c) around 100 children in all the groups (Monday Rainbows and Brownies, Tuesday Rainbows and Brownies, Elite dancers, Karate group, Cheeky monkey’s Toddler group and Demarco Dance group) that use our buildings during the week. Our focus, on St Nicholas Day, is to create a free, happy and safe space where our church, community and especially the friends of the church can share gifts and talents and help, in all ways possible, to make Christmas a happy and special time for children. In addition to St Nichoals Day, Sunday services, Mid-week meetings and other special gatherings, we hold regular family and community events in our buildings. including; a coffee morning (on Wednesdays 10:30 am – 12:30 pm) and Together@lunch (a free community lunch held, twice a month, in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust, Be Healthy Together and other groups). Also, thanks to our growing partnership with Neighbourly, we now pass on around 600kg of food items, donated to us by M&S, to individuals, families and groups in our community We are exploring ways of developing this initiative into a project (Let’s Eat Together) where on the one hand, we’ll support the vision of M&S and other superstores to reduce, by one half, the amount food wasted in their stores and, on the other, pass on food to the elderly, vulnerable and needy individuals and families in our community. Again, we are keen, very keen to set up a community project (Let’s Eat Together) which will include together@lunch and two Community Food and Fridge hubs. We plan to locate one of these hubs in the Calders (where we work well and in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust, Calder Residents Association, local schools and other groups). The second will be located in our premises. Like the 75 other community food an Fridge hubs in the UK, we are keen to see this these hubs serve our community well as a place to share food in empowering and respectful ways, reduce waste, encourage connection and promote, to use an African term, a sense of communalism.

Community Fridge committed to reducing food waste and bringing the village together in the spirit of neighborly sharing

Our Catalyst Kitchen provides a dignified response to food insecurity and making sure that no one in West Lothian goes hungry. We operate an emergency food delivery initiative that allows us to work with a wide range of partners to receive referrals for those who need support from households to local community fridges and homeless accommodation. For those who are experiencing food insecurity, The Larder uses redistributed and donated ingredients to provide fresh, nutritious and home cooked meals. The Larder also accepts donations of food to help in the fight against food poverty, and through seasonal initiative and collaboration redistribute the donations to ensure that we support those who need it most. Neighbourly's donated food is available free of charge within our community shop to help those that need it most. Everyone is welcome.