Locality plan helps shape a better future for Armadale
New proposals have been helping tackle community problems such as ill health and lack of employment in Armadale.
The locality plan has been launched as part of ongoing work by the council’s community wealth building team and its partners. The aim is to encourage communities to have a greater say in shaping and improving their environments and tackling issues such as mental health and well-being with locally based schemes.
The plan is one of six area projects which are designed to improve lives in the poorest parts of the county.
Proposals have been drawn up after extensive community engagement across all age groups and a focus on those in high school and senior years at primary level.
The main targets for the Armadale project is to improve positive destinations for school-leavers as well as build healthier communities.
Armadale is one of six areas where regeneration will be guided by locality plans. The others are Boghall in Bathgate, Bridgend, Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley, Livingston and Whitburn and Blackburn.
The plans co-ordinate work with the local health and social care partnership as well as agencies such as the police and fire services. Local community groups and projects are also involved including the community council, the gala committee and Armadale Shed.
There is additional input from the Youth Action Project, CLD Youth Services and the council’s Adult Learning programme. The initial report highlighted some of the issues faced in the town.
Negative destinations for school leavers are much higher in Armdale than the West Lothian average with 16 per cent unemployed compared to 10 per cent county wide.
Data compiled in 2021 to 2022 showed the number of children in low income families was more than double the West Lothian average of 19 per cent within three areas of the ward, at 48 per cent, 43 per cent and 39 per cent.
The percentage of children accessing non universal free school meals in 2022 to 2023 was 22.6 per cent compared with a West Lothian average of 16.8 per cent. A new resource centre aimed at supporting families and individuals locally was developed in 2022.
Armadale Resource Centre houses a food bank, charity shop and support services