West Lothian Council delivers

Volunteering opportunities in West Lothian

What can you gain from volunteering?
As a volunteer you will be giving your time to help charities and community groups improve lives, but volunteering can provide you with many benefits including: the chance to have fun doing something you've never tried before, increased confidence, a sense of satisfaction and achievement, the opportunity to make new friends and contacts with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

In addition you can benefit from increased job and career prospects and new skills.  Did you know that more than 70 per cent of employers say that they would hire a candidate with volunteering experience over someone who has never volunteered?

Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian (new window) is responsible for promoting, supporting and developing volunteering throughout West Lothian.  The organisation promotes best practice in all matters related to volunteers and volunteer management; and supporting voluntary organisations.

Click here to listen to the Chief Executive of Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian speak about volunteering.

Join a Lothian and Borders Police Board volunteer scheme.  Click here for information. (new window)

Outreach volunteers needed: Do you live in the Fauldhouse, Breich, Addiewell or Stoneyburn areas?  Do you know someone who enjoys reading but is unable to visit the library because of frailty, illness or disability?  Outreach volunteers deliver books, large print and talking books to people in their homes who are unable to visit their local library but still want to read for enjoyment or education, the service is supported by West Lothian Council. Many people who use this service are elderly, have very few visitors and no family nearby.  Volunteers are encouraged to spend a little extra time for a chat and perhaps a cup of tea during their visit. To register as a volunteer or to find out more, contact Maureen Mancini at Voluntary Sector Gateway on 01506 650111 or email vsg@vsgwl.org.

Voulnteers are needed to run activities in Fauldhouse Community developnent Trust, newly refurbished community building in Main Street. The building has a soft play area for under 5s, plus community room, retail area and flexible office space to rent. For details, contact info@fauldhouse.org.uk or 01501 773699 or visit the website www.fauldhouse.org.uk (new window)

West Lothian Nightstop: This project is looking for volunteer households who can offer a room in their home for young people aged 16 - 25 for up to three nights.  Do you have a spare room in your home?  Do you care about preventing youth homelessness in West Lothian? The project aims to prevent young people, who have perhaps left home due to a family falling out, entering the homelessness system unnecessarily.  It relies on volunteer households to provide a room, a meal, and maybe even a listening ear to young people who need it most.  Full training and regular support is provided. For more information, contact Emma Balfour at the Rock Trust on 0131 524 9883, email emma.balfour@rocktrust.org or come along to an open evening on Tuesday 30 August at the West Lothian Civic Centre, Livingston.

West Lothian Licensing Forum: West Lothian Licensing Forum is keen to recruit members from the community to ensure wider involvement.  The Forum has been consulted on local and national policy.  Joining the Forum will enable you to get involved in the licensing process at a policy level.  Members of the public are welcome to come along to meetings as an observer, and would perhaps consider becoming a member following this.  The next meeting is in the Civic Centre Chambers at 5.30pm on Wednesday 19 October.  For further information, contact Dawna Chisolm on 01506 446658 or email dawna.chisholm@wldas.org

Volunteering with West Lothian Leisure: volunteers are needed for the Changing Lifestyles project.  The Changing Lifestyles project enables local people to make a positive contribution to the health and lives of others in the community who are over the age of 50. There are exciting opportunities for people interested in helping run local events.  It doesn't matter what age you are or what your background  is, as long as you are enthusiastic and positive about  health and active lifestyles. No experience is necessary as full training will be given.  Expenses will be met.  For information email: hr@westlothianleisure.com or call: 01506 776044.

West Lothian Credit Union is always looking for volunteers: Volunteers are needed for help with various jobs at the credit union, so if you have some spare time and would like to get out of the house, learn new skills, help in your community or to meet people, please get in touch with us to discuss the various options available.  You will be fully trained and can help with promotions or administrative support.  Contact West Lothian Credit Union at: Unit 57A The Centre, Almondvale, Livingston; Tel: 01506 436666 or email: info@westlothiancreditunion.co.uk

Volunteering in West Lothian's Museums: West Lothian's museums are treasure-houses of objects and documents that record and illustrate the areas fasinating past.  Independent and council-run museums work together to safeguard and celebrate West Lothian's heritage. Volunteers make a major contribution to the work of most museums and new recruits are always welcome.  Almond valley Heritage Trust call: 01506 414957 and the Bennie Museum Trust: 01506 634944.

Alzheimer Scotland Events Team has a number of events throughout the year that aim to bring in vital funds to help the number of people who have been diagnosed with dementia.  From taking your first 5k to jumping off a plane, we have got a variety of events that will suit everybody and they are looking for lots of keen participants, whether they are already supporters of Alzheimer Scotland or just looking for a special challenge.  For information on the any of our events or on the work of Alzheimer Scotland contact the Events Team on 0845 260 0789.  Click here for pdf of events.  

Free training courses: The Workers' Educational Association runs free training courses for staff in West Lothian, including voluntary sector workers, volunteers and clients. Dates and times will be arranged with participants. The courses have an emphasis on accreditation (SQA bite size units) and employability.  Further information on when the courses take place contact Nicky Melville on 01506 650111 or email nicky.melville@vcwl.org