Linlithgow Coronavirus Support Service on Pause
The Linlithgow Coronavirus Support group is pausing its service from Friday August 14th.
The service was established by the Linlithgow Churches working in partnership with Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council and Linlithgow Community Development Trust. The service is ensuring that no-one is left without support beyond August 14.
The group is made up of over 100 volunteers and since March has responded to over 200 requests for practical support. This has been mainly either shopping for clients or collecting prescriptions. A smaller number of people have sought and received on-going emotional support by phone. However, the number of requests has gradually reduced, from up to 20 a week in the early days to less than one a day in recent weeks.
Service co-ordinator Alan Miller (pictured above) said “Many regular users of our service have now found other forms of support, which is great. Thankfully, the fact that shielding has been paused also means many more people are once again able to be self-sufficient.” Alan also said “People have headed out in all weathers and sometimes at very short notice to deliver urgent prescriptions, or to shop for all sorts of necessities. Clients have been extremely appreciative.”
The service can be restored very quickly if, unfortunately, that proves necessary in the future. However in the meantime, a very big thank you to all the volunteers in the group for their fantastic efforts over the last five months!
It has been fantastic to see so many people within the town volunteering their time during lockdown. Linlithgow Community Development Trust are keen to harness those volunteers and anyone else who may be interested in volunteering.
We are currently working on the volunteering directory on My Linlithgow to ensure we can advertise opportunities within the local area for those keen to continue volunteering. You can view current volunteering opportunities here.
We are also investigating setting up a Timebank in Linlithgow. Timebanking is a way you can give your time in the community to meet people, swap skills and get some help back. Timebanks run all over the UK and there is a network organisation Timebanking UK.
Locally there is a Timebank already set up in Fauldhouse & Breich Valley Community Development Trust if you want to see an example of what’s going on.
If your garden is unruly or the walls need painting, a Timebank can find someone to do your jobs in return for you helping someone else. That could be anything from doing some shopping, knitting a jumper, or providing some help on using a computer!
You bank your hours and then can donate them to a friend/family member/charity or take them yourself, it’s totally up to you! Watch this space for more information or email [email protected] if you’re interested in finding out more.
Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council Update
The next meeting of Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council is on Tuesday 25th August at 7.30pm. It will be held on Zoom and is open to members of the public.
To register for this meeting please email [email protected] providing your name and confirming you are a resident of Linlithgow or Linlithgow Bridge, no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting and you will receive Zoom joining instructions.
Business Spotlight – Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes
Truly Scrumptious has been an established business on the High Street for many years but has very recently made the move to Braehead Business Park. Co-owner Colleen Winning said “Our shop at The Cross has provided a beautiful working location, but it is no longer proving practical for our expanding business. Our new unit will provide the perfect space for us to be even more creative. We’re also excited to say our customers will not have to search the High Street for a parking space!”
Colleen, who owns the businesses along with husband David, is pleased to be welcoming customers back once again after being closed during lockdown. Truly Scrumptious specialise in wedding cakes but they also do a fantastic range of celebration cakes and cupcakes, which certainly make your mouth water!
The new unit at Braehead is now the base for the whole team and it’s a bright and airy space, which will also have an area especially for wedding cake tastings.
You can read more about Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes in the latest edition of The Black Bitch Magazine on page 7. You can also follow their amazing repertoire of cakes on Facebook or find out more on their website.
Community Spotlight – Linlithgow Rocks
It’s ‘Back to School’ week and so we would like to wish all the pupils and teachers well for getting settled into the new term with Covid-19 arrangements.
This week’s Community Spotlight is on Linlithgow Rocks, which has kept many children entertained on walks during lockdown. The Facebook group was reinvigorated by Kiera McKimm early on in lockdown, after becoming aware of a rock painting group in Broxburn where she works. Kiera took over the existing Linlithgow Pebbles Facebook group and renamed it Linlithgow Rocks.
The rock hunting rules are …
- Paint them!
- Hide them!
- Find them!
You can be as creative as you like but it’s more about fun than artistic skills. When you find a rock you take a picture of it to post in the Facebook group and then re-hide somewhere new!
You can use acrylic paint or household paint and you can add detail with pens or nail varnish. Varnish or spray varnish can also help to give your rock a longer life if you wish. When you’re done you can write on the bottom your name or initials and Linlithgow Rocks to help spread the word!
There has been some amazing artistry going on and even rock caterpillars have been created around the town.
School may now be back but Kiera is keen for the group to continue. So please keep painting and hiding rocks around the town. It brightens up walks for both children and adults alike! Join the Facebook group to take part in all the fun. Thank you to all the artists for the fantastic rock pictures.
Latest Covid-19 Guidance
Scotland moved to Phase 3 of the route map for coming out of lockdown on the 10 July 2020. See some key dates for future changes.
The current advice from the Scottish Government to stay safe, protect others, save lives is:
- wear a face covering
- avoid crowded places
- clean hands and surfaces regularly
- stay 2m away from other people
- self-isolate and book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms
See what you can and cannot do to help suppress the virus.