Local Organisations
Local organisations active in West Lothian can also develop their own web sites through GOAL. These are known as Local Groups. If you think your local community or voluntary group would benefit, you can find out more in the Local Groups section.
Access the Community Directory from West Lothian Online to search for local information.
Volunteering in West Lothian
The Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian is part of a national network of 42 Volunteer Centres located throughout Scotland's 32 unitary authority areas with a common objective to promote, support and develop volunteering at a local level.
The Volunteer Centre was launched in West Lothian in July 1997, operating from a room at Voluntary Action West Lothian with two full time and one part time member of staff and one volunteer. Seven years on the Volunteer Centre has eleven members of staff, 140 volunteers working directly in support of our ten projects.
Opening hours
The Volunteer Centre is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Volunteers can be seen outside these hours by prior arrangement. Staff will visit volunteers at their place of work on request.
What we do
The Specific role of the Volunteer Centre is to assist individuals and organisations by providing advice and guidance on matters relating to volunteers and volunteering. We do not refer volunteers to other organisations, what we do is provide a variety of volunteer opportunities that fits in with the needs of the volunteer; they then choose the organisation providing the volunteer opportunity that best meets their needs.
In addition to providing advice and guidance to individuals, staff members are available to give talks and presentations to groups and organisations on a variety of subjects such as:
- The benefits of volunteering
- Training of Management Committee members
- The recruitment and retention of volunteers
- Training of volunteers
- Best Practice
- Developing a Volunteer Policy
Who Volunteers?
The simple answer is anyone who wants to. Volunteers are drawn from all over West Lothian and from a variety of backgrounds e.g. unemployed people looking for experience; retired people looking to fill their time; people with a disability or suffering ill health; employed people and young people aged 16 - 25
Services
- VCWL aims to provide the information you need to get involved in volunteering.
- A range of publications giving information and resources on volunteering issues.
Address:
36 - 40 North Bridge
Bathgate, West Lothian
Scotland, EH48 4PP
E-Mail: vsg@vsgwl.org
Tel: 01506 650111
