Dedicated volunteers came together to highlight the importance and benefits of helping out in their local communities.
Members of the West Lothian Volunteer Network (WLVN) met to raise awareness ahead of Volunteers’ Week next month.
The WLVN started in 2013 and is an open forum group of over 70 local organisations in West Lothian.
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It exists to provide volunteer managers/coordinators with a forum for support, information exchange, and sharing best practice. Also, to work in partnership on an informal basis to develop a variety of networking and volunteering events, with a particular emphasis on promoting volunteering opportunities and acknowledging all volunteers’ contributions.
Since the beginning WLVN has been involved in a variety of activities around Volunteers’ Week. And each year volunteer fairs are held around the county from June 1 to 7 with WLVN’s Volunteer Celebration being the grand-finale at the end of the month.
Volunteers from local groups and organisations are invited to attend as a thank you for their commitment and contribution throughout the year.
On Wednesday, April 24, numerous representatives from WLVN met for their monthly meeting and afterwards came together with some of their volunteers for group and individual photographs to help raise awareness on the importance of volunteering as well as further promoting Volunteers’ Week.
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Members in attendance were, Fauldhouse CDT, Fauldhouse & Breich Valley Timebank, West Lothian Council, MacMillan/WLC, Cyrenians OPAL, VSGWL, Alzheimer Scotland, Open Door, The Bridge, West Calder and Harburn CDT, Carers of West Lothian, Team Jak, WL Diabetes, Rock Trust, Home Start, Foodbank and Mood.
Ann Holloway is Timebank co-ordinator for Fauldhouse Community Development Trust and a member of WLVN.
She said: “Every year WLVN help support many people in finding the correct volunteering opportunity for them and this year is no different. We have organised a number of volunteer fairs for Volunteers’ Week 2019 to help raise awareness of volunteering opportunities in West Lothian.
“Local organisations are invited to join us and support this by booking stalls and further promoting the
events.”
WLVN can be contacted via email, initially to ann.holloway@fauldhouse.org.uk and individuals will then be referred to the relevant contact within WLVN. Alternatively WLVN can be reached via social media pages on, Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestLothianVN/ and Twitter: twitter.com/WestLothianVN.
