The Centre, Livingston has launched an exciting new venture to support charities and good causes around West Lothian.
The mall has launched its Support in the Community initiative to help 12 charities by providing awareness-raising and fundraising opportunities, including free pop-up space, a £250 Gift Card donation and marketing support.
And its starting with two very worthy charities; Craigsfarm Community Hub and West Lothian Youth Action Project’s Food Bank.
Over the years, the mall has supported many charities including Team Jak Foundation, Bosom Buds and West Lothian Youth Foundation. River Kids, which supports children and their families in West Lothian has also received ongoing support as well as mall-based Kidzeco, who help families by selling affordable high- quality pre-loved children’s clothes, toys and essential equipment.
Latterly, as part of the mall’s 12 Days of Donation campaign, Kidzeco received toys and food donations from kind-hearted shoppers and the charity, Invisible Cities, who provides support to people experiencing homelessness, received donations of winter coats.
The Centre’s Support in the Community initiative is designed to help 12 different organisations for one month each by giving them free pop-up space for a weekend in the mall to help raise awareness and appeal for donations, including food, books, toys, pre-loved clothing and funds. They will also receive a £250 Gift Card and marketing support.
Two local charities have been chosen to kickstart the initiative - Craigsfarm Community Hub, who will receive help to raise awareness of the services they offer, including art, meditation and wellbeing classes, as well as highlighting their volunteering vacancies.
The Centre will also support West Lothian Youth Action Project, (WLYAP), who provide support for young people in the area and run a Food Bank in Craigshill every Friday, by encouraging shoppers to donate food items, including pasta, rice and soup, in the mall’s donation box which is situated next to the Customer Service Desk near New Look.
Ashley Bisland, Deputy Centre Director of The Centre, Livingston said: “Thanks to the goodwill and generosity of our shoppers we’ve been able to help so many wonderful charities over the years in many ways, including fundraising events and appeals for donations of food, toys and warm clothing.
“The aim of our ‘Support in the Community’ initiative is to help even more organisations by giving them free pop-up space for one weekend and all the help we can in their fundraising efforts and to raise even more awareness of the great work they are doing.
“We are delighted to be able to mark the start of our ‘Support in the Community’ initiative by helping two local charities – Craigsfarm Community Hub to raise awareness of the fantastic services they offer and West Lothian Youth Action Project who are appealing for donations for their Food Bank.”
Kate Storrow, Hub Manager, Craigsfarm Community Hub, said: “Craigsfarm Community Hub is delighted to be chosen by The Centre as one of the first organisations to receive help, as part of its Support in the Community initiative.
“As a local social enterprise and charity based in Craigshill, we know how much the people of Livingston and West Lothian value what we do and what a difference our locally based wellbeing services are making to people’s lives.
“Having the support of The Centre to raise awareness of Craigsfarm is a positive step to ensuring we can continue to support even more people locally.”
Helen Davis, Project Director, West Lothian Youth Action Project, said: “The Centre’s ‘Support in the Community’ initiative is a fantastic opportunity for local charities to gain support for their causes.
“The Youth Action Project (YAP), provides many services to young people and families throughout West Lothian, including running our Food Bank in Craigshill to help people to access essential items they need such as food and toiletries.
“Any support we get, especially like this from The Centre, Livingston is hugelywelcomed.”
Organisations who would like to take part in the initiative are being advised to check out the criteria on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and submit an application form.
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
