Community Support When Shielding
A reminder that the Linlithgow Churches have established a support system for people who are self-isolating and shielding. They are offering help with shopping, collecting prescriptions or even just a phone call if you’d like someone to talk to.
You can get in touch via [email protected] or call 01506 200838. A Linlithgow Coronavirus Support Facebook group has also been created to facilitate offers and requests for help.
Funding for Linlithgow to Support the Community Coronavirus Response
Last week LCDT shared the news they have been successful in receiving funding from the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 Supporting Communities Fund.
This £350 million fund will be used to provide financial support targeted through community anchor organisations, working in partnership with others in the community and public services to coordinate a local response to the pandemic.
Funding for Linlithgow is secured until the end of September to support this work and LCDT will also be looking at a strategic overview of community needs in the longer term.
We are pleased to be working in collaboration with the following groups in the town:
- Linlithgow Coronavirus Support Group
- Linlithgow Link
- 1st Step
- Linlithgow Young People’s Project
- Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council
Our allocated funds will be distributed to these groups to support local people in need. However, if other local groups require funds to respond to the coronavirus situation, please email [email protected] and our fund sub-committee will consider requests.
We are also working with One Linlithgow Bid and The Black Bitch Magazine to support local businesses and community news across the town.
Domestic Abuse
Staying at home is the safest thing to do right now but in certain circumstances home does not always feel the safest place to be.
Anyone experiencing violence at home should not feel in any way inhibited by the current coronavirus situation. You can still report a crime and do not wait if you feel vital support.
West Lothian Council has comprehensive information on their website about how to report domestic abuse and domestic violence, and what local services are available.
Alternatively, you can contact the Domestic Abuse Helpline for more information.
www.safer.scot
0800 027 1234
LYPP Art Project for Young People
Linlithgow Young People’s Project has launched an online mental health art project to give young people a chance to express themselves. The topic of the project is “Dark and Light” and young people are encouraged to make creative expressions of poor mental health and good mental health. If anyone would like to get involved please contact LYPP on Facebook, Instagram or email ([email protected]). The deadline for submissions is May 31st.
With a Little Help from Friends
In lockdown conditions, 1st Step’s popular recovery café had to close. Like so many other charities and community groups, the team had to totally rethink how they work.
If people couldn’t come to 1st Step, 1st Step would bring the food to them. Their volunteers are now safely delivering healthy food parcels to people in need around West Lothian and Falkirk.
1st Step would like to say a big thanks to their friends at Transition Linlithgow, who have lent them their electric van to make the deliveries, and at St Ninian’s Craigmailen Parish Church who has provided them with the use of Longcroft Halls, which is being used as a distribution point for packing the food parcels.
As well as food deliveries, 1st Step are helping people keep in touch through online recovery meetings, and giving free refurbished bikes and bike repairs for essential workers, helping them get to work without using public transport and stay healthy.
Face Coverings
The Scottish Government has issued guidance about the use of face coverings in public places.
The evidence on the use of face coverings is limited, but the guidance states there may be some benefit of wearing a facial covering when leaving the house and entering enclosed spaces, such as the shops or public transport, where physical distancing is can be more difficult.
There is lots of great work already going on across the country as highlighted in this BBC News article. Obviously, there will be different interpretations of the guidance, and some people will be keen to wear masks while others may not.
There is already an active community of mask-makers in Linlithgow. To provide some peer support, advice and somewhere to share information about how you can get involved, a Facebook group has been created to connect the network of people already making masks for the community. You can join at Linlithgow Mask Makers.